Is it bad to feel like you need to be someone else? That acting like someone besides who you are to strangers, and getting accolades for it is a horrible thing. What if strangers like this fake version of you more than anyone you know seems to like the real version? What if these strangers say all kinds of nice things, and all types of compliments about you, and you’ve only changed a few things about yourself when you tell them who you are? You still act the same, respond the same way you normally would. You still have the same ideals, you’re just hiding behind a guise and enjoying the positive reinforcement you get for being such an enjoyable person to talk to from these other people.
It doesn’t have to be some sick, twisted thing. Just enjoying talking to people, and being talked to back.
Should that be so shameful?