Why you feel different around others than when you're alone

The you that shows up around other people and the you when you're alone are more different than you might think.

Public self and private self

The side you show the outside world is your public self; the side that emerges when you're alone is your private self.

• Social self: the you that's been shaped within your relationships
• Private self: the honest you when you're on your own

The two being different doesn't make either one fake. Both are a real part of who you are.