I think a better question is what happens when people know who you are? Is it bad for people to have that info?

Yep, I do it, still trying to work out why...

I think maybe coz in the past I gave too much, too freely of myself and ended up feeling responsible for others' problems and issues. (And believe me, life's too short...)

Now I pull back at the moment of friendship becoz I think I am going to get stuck with their crap. Maybe I'm scared of commitment? (I'm getting all these similies and metaphors in my head of things like pulling out at the Big O so she doesn't get pregnant, and having cold feet at the last minute before walking down the aisle in that big white dress and bolting out the back door of the church! Heh heh - my apologies, I transgress) Maybe I'm scared if they get to know me they'll discover I'm really just a dickhead and not like me anymore. Well, maybe not, I'm over caring whether people like me or not.

Maybe coz I've spent so much of my life being alone, that I'm now at a stage where I really value my personal space (physically and emotionally) and I don't want people to come barging into it. Maybe coz I am attracted to people with interesting personalities and who aren't run of the mill types, and they are usually quite dominant type personalities, so I keep tham at a distance to prevent them from dominating me...

So many scenarios, and that's just off the top of my head. Any of them seem familiar to you?

Anyway I am discovering that it is good to be self aware and be able assess and change yourself...but sometimes it comes down to accepting yourself even if you don't fully understand.

I sometimes feel very lonely surrounded by ppl with different interests and character than I. It is nice to have casual friends but some ppl need close friends who are congenial to them. I would take it slow and when u feel comfortable in opening up, then that is the time to do so.

Maybe it is self sabatoge. Feelings of not being good enough and no one would really find me important. It's easier to blend in.

I feel the same way

I feel the same way...maybe because I "feel" different from everyone else in the world, no self esteem etc. But..yes my protective bubble is layers deep on me.

Doreen

I know no one could ever understand me and I certainly don't want them to try so I don't give them any encouragement. Being lonely isn't the worst thing that could happen.

Yep, I feel and do the same. I don't want to worry about saying the wrong thing so I just don't and put the wall betw us. Even though its supposed to be getting better, I think I do it more, the more I learn about myself. Self defeating but at the same time, I enjoy my space!

I know why...coz every time you drop your defenses and let someone in and THINK you have a connection or FRIEND...they turn around and kick you in the guts.

This world will be so much happier when people stop worrying about what in hell others may or may not think of them and just be who they are, WHOEVER they may be! I am thankful that I finally learned that lesson and stopped worrying about the thoughts and opinions of others long ago. That has freed me to truly love and enjoy people and not look to them for the love and acceptance that should (and only can) come from ME.
We are all the same, my friends. ALL of us. I don't care what kind of front others put up, we all want to be loved and accepted for who we are. Some of us are just better at hiding it than others. But it is all there. Once I realized that, I had no problem reaching out to people. I make connections with every single person I come in contact with, whether that contact is seconds, minutes, or hours. I choose to leave a blessing behind for every person I meet because I never know if what I say just might be the word of encouragement or the smile they needed to get them through one more minute on this earth.
Don't be afraid to show people who you are. Who you are is more than enough for you and everyone else. You are robbing this world of a precious gift when you keep yourself back from it. You have something that no one else has and you do yourself a disservice when you allow fear to keep you hostage. (I told myself a while ago that if fear was the only thing keeping me from doing something, that I was damn well going to do that thing!)
Healing to you, my friend.
And lots more hugggggsssss.

I feel like over the past year or so I have opened up to people and have been judged by them afterwards. I too, am that person who will go out of her way to be friendly, helpful, smile and make eye contact. I too have build a protective bubble around me because of things that have happened to me in my past. Why am I afraid to tell who I am?? Because you may not like me! Feel now that sharing to much only brings more pain. In 2011 I myself will try harder to remain humble. Feel now that God build that protective bubble to protect me.