Is it normal that i imagine that people are observing me?

I often imagine that there are people watching me, especially when I am alone. Most often, these people are acquaintances and friends. As a result, I often "act" to "impress" these virtual people - these mere figments of my imagination. Or, I may otherwise "act" to impress my experiences, my feelings, and my thoughts on these virtual people.

The other day, I was thinking about a past relationship. In contemplating the ups and the downs, I was looking off into the distance, chucking to myself on occasion and scrunching my face too. I imagined that my former significant other was there, watching me relive our shared experiences, watching me smile and chuckle as I remembered all the cheerful moments, and watching me wrinkle my brow and attempt to look forlorn as I reminisced over all the less-than-cheerful moments we shared. I would even shake my head and look pensively in the distance as I relived the sad moments.

I am virtually a full-time actor, caught in my own fantasy world. Even when I do something as mundane as walking down an empty hallway, I imagine that there are people - people I know - watching me. I try to "impress" by looking down the hallway with a stoic gaze. If I am contemplating something, I might bite my lips a little, and I might take a deep sigh as I glance, momentarily, at the floor. I try to convey the content and the gravity of my thoughts to the incarnations of my friends.

Am I literally a "poor player that struts and frets his hour upon the stage"? Does anyone else live in a fantasy world? More pressingly, is anyone else MOLDED by his or her fantasy world?

Voting Results
81% Normal
Based on 52 votes (42 yes)
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Comments ( 10 )
  • emilydoll

    I think that's a good thing to live in your own light

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  • music567

    I feel the same way

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  • LifeIsInteresting

    I tend to do some of those things at time, mostly when I'm happy or nervous. God knows why. We're probably both slightly insane.

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  • XxxXxxX

    I literally do this every day. I imagine that people I know, my past teachers or bullies usually, are sitting at some sort of TV, watching me as I go throughout my day. It's like I'm a kind of reality show. I try to impress them, as you mentioned, trying to physically convey my emotions and overacting routine activities. I even imagine a soundtrack of sorts, overlaying my everyday activities. I imagine the reactions of my "viewers". I even become increasingly frustrated as I "mess up" by spilling something, saying something awkward, or tripping over something. I often feel the need to "start over", like I'm rewinding my imagination so that my strange audience begins watching me immediately after the "mistake". I know friends who have randomly admitted doing similar things, but to this extent? I have no idea. I'm honestly glad to know I'm not alone in doing it.

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  • Neapolitana

    Haha I'm so delighted to have come across this. I totally do this! I sort of imagine that people I know are watching my actions, and so I'll act accordingly to "impress" that person, just like you said--so weird! I've sometimes worried that this is completely insane lol.

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    • VirtuousDeontologist

      Glad to hear that I'm not alone :).

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  • emilydoll

    You sound cool.

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  • Shackleford96

    You sound like you would be an interesting person to observe.

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    • VirtuousDeontologist

      I suppose, if you had a way of observing me without my knowledge.

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      • Shackleford96

        So, would you act differently than you would if nobody was (really) watching you?

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