Anyone ever feel like you constantly put on an act in front of others?

Basically what Sleepy Fur said. Like yes they know me but "that guy that likes video games and anime" is only scratching the surface. Maybe some people don't need to know more because they don't plan on interacting further than our similar interests and that's how I see them too, but there is always those people that think they really know you but they don't??

I hide a lot of the sides of myself from my family and friends. I’m too scared to tell them. My family doesn’t know I have depression as far as I’m aware. They definitely don’t know I’m Bi. I would probably dress more “emo” at home if i weren’t scared of being judged by my mom. I tried growing out my hair once and my mom would nag at me constantly about getting it cut. I finally caved in and cut my hair last June. I feel like i can’t be myself at home. I mentioned to my mom I wanted to dye my black and she like “No, people will think you’re goth” and I’m like, “people have black hair naturally, that doesn’t mean they’re goth.” lmao. But yeah my mom is very judgemental, and so is my brother. My high school friends seem pretty cool though. I’ve been thinking about opening up to them a little more. But right now i’m keeping myself a secret from my family.

Whenever I have to talk with someone in real life, I always put on a mask to try and make it easier to talk to then. But every now and then I just think, who am I? I don't really know me, how my personality is, what I want. Is weird to explain, but I just think of myself as a complete stranger. I feel like I am constantly putting on an act, but not for other people, I feel like I'm putting on an act for myself. I guess that I'm really weird, but oh well ¯\_(ツ)_/¯

I put on an act for other peoples sake. But I kinda already know who I am. I am very weeelll... Me. There was a time where i was a stranger to myself. But I’m learning day by day a little about myself. I know there are people out there that don’t know themselves. I’m still questioning my sexuality, so like i might still be one of them, but. Getting to know yourself takes time. Or so I’ve heard.

-When you are halfway through a post and realize you posted in this thread before, and the post you were typing is basically word for word what you said back in november-

Same. Although it didn’t start for me until middle school. I was very real up until that point. At 15 I found out i was attracted to men as well as women, but i never told anyone in my personal life. Been acting straight for 3 years now. Which isn’t hard for me, because i’ve always thought i was straight, up until 15 that is. It would be nice though to not have to act in front of my family once in awhile. But i don’t see that happening anytime soon.

I mean you have to be who you are. You don’t have to hide it from your family. But I don’t know the circumstances so I wouldn’t say what you should do. But in the end just do what makes you happy I think. Sometimes it’s hard like some people can’t say no. But they always have the choice and their life would be so much better in a lot of ways if they did. Just have to pick the times and places you say it and how to say it. But that is all up to you. It’s your life.

Not just in front of others, I don't even know myself, so would I be able to interact with people without having an identity? Might as well just make one up! It's fine though