Nope, I don't play well with others. Actually, I don't do anything well with others. I am not a sociable person, I prefer to be left alone, I don't care for crowded places and social events. I think my aversion to interacting with people stems from an aversion to obligation and expectations. Anytime you tell me to do something, I feel like I should run away screaming. A great side effect of having such a warped character trait is that I am very, very, very good at saying "No" to a salesperson. 8D
In my life, many social milestones came and went and I did not do what I was expected to do. For instance, I chose not to attend the convocation when I graduated from the university. I didn't even collect the gown and cap for a photograph. (I really do hate having my photo taken.) When we got married, The Husband and I decided not to throw the customary wedding dinner for family, relatives and friends. We don't enjoy being in the limelight.
On 365? Let me maintain a low profile. My priority is to finish what I have started. I am not interested in the popularity game. Please have no expectations of me because I'm not someone who will work at fulfilling anyone's expectations. (Wow. Do I sound like I have an ego the size of a small planet!? XD )
I feel about the same way usually Livia (of course, 23 years in the military trained a lot of that out of me). I used to feel a bit guilty about not wanting to participate, and everything seemed like an "obligation." I picked up "The Introvert Advantage" and there are SO many "Ah-hah!" moments in the book that I now feel a lot more comfortable with the decisions I make. If you haven't already read it, I highly recommend it :) Fun shot by the way! :)
ha ha ha. . .I need a good giggle today! Some of my kindergarteners have been staying up way past their bed times lately because the sun doesn't set until close to 10pm. Thus they are tired and grouchy and that doesn't make it easy for them to play well with others. Great photo!
great story, great shot!
I just love looking at your photos and I think you must be a super cool person, just from reading your entries in your album. Unsociable is fine, if you are happy, then that is what counts.
This is shot is wonderful.....so creative and fun! I don't think there's anything wrong with being unsociable......it's good to enjoy your own company.....as long as your happy, right :-)
By fulfilling your own expectations - coz I assume you do this for your benefit and not anybody elses - you are consequently fulfilling the expectations of, and giving an awful lot of pleasure to least 670 others too. You may not court it but you are a very popular photographer - maybe because you consistently turn out cool shots like this, that's why I follow you :)
Lots of lines, Lot to read , A lot of express yourself . I think that`s very social.And I think you`re very brave to share it. also I think you`re very creative. I Get a big smile from you pic . Very funny and it fits to the telling/story well. I`m a (big) fan of you pic
Lol, thats what I did when I saw this face, great so funny and how so creative as usual. Livia I have to totally echo Mick's comment. Also you are a very strong character, no-one who defies "The Family" on wedding day expectations is anything less! Keep these great photos coming.
I can certainly understand obligation and expectation. Look at me living in the sticks! What's that tell ya? LOL! I've lived in some big cities and was born and raised in the USAF. Still, I cling to the roots of my grandparents and their way of the quiet country life. I love your shot and your story, gal! You are so creative and clever!
You sound so much like me, you take my breath away. I love this photo ... my family would say, "Yes, that's Karen!" I even hate to cook and when other people visit (not frequently) I would rather take them "out to eat!" I love alone time, and I don't want to be forced into anything ... ever! I did attend my college graduation out of necessity. But when we got married, hubby and I eloped. It was great. Big events, social parties? Nope. I think that we're twins, Livia ...at least "soul mates!" And I KNOW that we have the same (sorta sick) sense of humor. :) P.S. I'm not in a popularity contest on here either.
Great shot and description - I've actually never seen brown match heads before. I really like the tones. As for the rest -I think many folks who feel more comfy behind the camera than in front are similarly inclined. :)
The most interesting people on here are the ones doing the project for themselves. I think you do participate by opening up your work for the rest of us to enjoy. Don't pay any mind to the rest of it, just carry on being Livia. :)
Love this shot by the way - lots of humour in it.
I love this. You don't sound like you have an ego at all! I love that you're not into the popularity thing that has become so prevalent recently. When I started my 1st project in 2010, this site was nothing like it is now. I can relate to much of what you wrote :).
Very neat shot, and wonderful album. We all should be true to ourselves, sometimes things get in the way. I do enjoy being social but also value my alone time. You are who you are.... and that is wonderful!! Great creative mind.
Genius!! Fav! I always expect something good from you Livia and I am seldom disappointed but I can relate well to what you are saying. Just do it because you like doing it and stop when you don't!
I think it is cute and very creative!
(this time, you have set a smile in my face)
:D
(I would like to share water with this cute face, to don't be afraid)
Fav, fav, fav! This is just great! I think anyone who takes photos like this must be a really interesting person with a creative mind and a great sense of humour!
Im not very sociable either, im probably way more sociable on here than i am in "real life" - its brave to just be who you are i think =)
Love your shot BTW made me smile even though its a sad face........
Thanks for sharing that, I kinda knew that about you :)
Inadvertently, you have occasionally been thrust into the limelight on here a couple of times, that must have been a little disconcerting for you.
I love following you, a little corner of you appears to be a little bit sociable ;)
Livia, brilliant image and excellently captured. You, your stories and images captivate me and fill me with awe. Your generosity and courage in sharing this insight into your inner self is greatly appreciated. I'll follow you until one or the other of us drops out.
Oh Livia this is just awesome, so creative and i would say "yes" it counts as a selfie ;)
There is nothing wrong with being unsociable as long as you are happy =)
Fav because I love the picture and I can relate to your words very well - especially the part about expectations/obligations. (My husband and I went and got married without telling the family - a bit of an uproar afterwards.). I think it is o.k. not to be the ultra-extrovert :-).
@bluefirebucket There are things that I can't control, so I prefer not to think about how my actions may actually be, in an inadvertent way, fulfilling someone's expectations somewhere. I'm not as popular as you think. The number of followers I have is just a number and, really, that number is inaccurate. Many are already inactive accounts. In any case, I don't have the option of turning off, say, a function to "Allow Following". I would continue to finish my project even if I had 0 followers. Because I really hate to leave something I start unfinished. (I drive myself nuts like that.) 8D
@karenann It's comforting to know we're not alone in our less-than-sociable ways! I have to agree with you on eating out—I too prefer to do that when I'm meeting people. We're not the type to invite people over in the first place except for a couple of very, very close friends. Otherwise, we prefer to conduct our social activities outside. Our home is our sanctuary. It is the only place where I feel I can truly be myself.
@summerfield *looks nauseously sweet and innocent*
@northy Ack. I still can't believe the attention that one shot generated. Someday, I'll laugh about it. Right now, all I have to offer when I think about that photo and the two discussion threads about it is a small smile. Of the I-still-can't-believe-it-happened variety!
Cute shot! I like the little face on the matchstick.
Its ok to be you. I bounce between people a people person and wanting my own space - sometimes even I'm not sure what I want! I know what you mean about avoiding the limelight too... I always feel much more myself online than I ever do in the real' world...
Cool shot! Well done!
I loved to read your story - I can totally relate to that! There are times, when I can't make myself to do the "fun" things everyone is supposed to love... But I also love to play with others a lot sometimes - as long as there is a way out :D I try to keep this in mind, because I think my children feel same way too. I think the freedom to choose is the key.
wonderful focus and dof Livia. Love your work and your individuality. I think it is great when you are strong enough to live your life the way you want and not let anyone or anything pressure you into doing what is expected of you.
Livia, you are who you are and I admire you for having the courage to admit your feelings. Hey, it's cheaper than going to a shrink ;-) I have some of that in me, too at times. But I love big weddings, celebrations, & especially anything to do with dance and music. I regret never becoming "someone" actually. Seems it's too much hassle to try to achieve my expectations, e.g. writing a book, ancestry research, photography, etc. All my life I've been a Jane of All Trades....Master of None. So I guess I'm still trying to learn to chill & out and do the best I can without stressing out. I love your idea for the photo today .... so thoughtfully executed by YES, a very creative individual! xo
Livia, I know what you mean about other people's expectations - it kind of makes you run in the opposite direction. Its ok to be the odd one out sometimes. I would say a lot of people get a lot of pleasure from your photos.
Creative shot Livia! I totally understand what you mean about other people's expectations. They make me want to crawl in a hole and hide! :) Even with this project, some days I find myself fretting over it, worrying that my photo is not good enough to post and that other people will think it sucks. Then I just have to remind myself that I'm doing this for me.
Good shot Livia. Be yourself, you are the best person for the job :) I like the Livia that is on 365. One of a kind, and I know you don't care what I or anyone else thinks. Refreshing.
I love this selfie.. we are what we are and i think it has a lot to do how we're brought up. I do love my own company..I'm too shy in a crowd. here on 365 I can be myself. ...just let me say that I love your photos very much you're so incredible creative..
Well, I never would have guessed any of that by how you come across on 365 but cyberspace does tend to change personalities or at least we can possibly be people we can't be in the real world. However you are in actuality I consider you to be a friend on 365. This is such a creative shot to show yourself :o) xx
Love this shot and the meaning of your words. I generally don't think of myself as unsociable, but am noticing I'm much happier behind the camera at social events so I don't have to make small talk and be 'sociable', so maybe I'm finally realising who I really am and rediscovering the introvert that I always was but try to suppress... thought provoking and as always Livia, brilliant!
Loved your views...the way you have expressed them...straight from you heart.....it does reflect your 'clear' thoughts & mind.....Above all...loved the shot expressing it all so well...FAV!!
this is a cool shot, i was thinking on my drive home tonight how this place is a bit like reading a book where you conjure up what people are like / look like by what they say and post, I live in this wonderful 365 bubble in my head, the little bits of yourself that you have written over the time I have been here have formed this very intruiging person, one who I probably wouldn't approach in real life (due to the face previously talked about and the fact im shy) but admire from a distance :) its all meant in a good way I hope you know :)
A great, big, not-too-playful, trying-to-be-sociable, happy and grateful "THANK YOU!" to all!
Thank you so much for taking the time to pop by. I was just trying to have fun with matches without actually having to light them up. Heh. Thank you so much for your supportive words. I appreciate them very much. Yes, sadly, I'm not what I may seem to be online, because words can only convey so much. And as I've mentioned before, in real life, I even have Chronic Bitchface Syndrome! ( Refer to: http://365project.org/myautofocuslife/365/2012-03-15 ) I can be fun to be around if you enjoy being bored to tears. Or if you actually get a kick out of looking at an unpretty, perpetually annoyed face. Haha. (My poor husband. I do love him madly for putting up with me! 8D )
Again, thank you so much. You are amazing people and I am grateful for your encouragement and understanding. Thank you!
Haha, great shot! I'm not very sociable too but it's because I'm pretty shy and lacking self-confidence. I don't like to speak about myself with other people and I'm not at ease with people who speak a lot and hardly take time to listen to you.
Neat pic, gave me a smile! And I definitely know how you feel about not wanting to draw attention to yourself. But I think you're pretty darn great. :)
Very creative. I am like that too, I used to feel guilty about it until I discovered I was an introvert, and boy, has it made a difference :) Introverts, I found, have brains that are wired differently. Their brains take in too much information and take a lot of time to process information and so social situations can get somewhat stressful. And introverts are super creative :)
I just love looking at your photos and I think you must be a super cool person, just from reading your entries in your album. Unsociable is fine, if you are happy, then that is what counts.
You're images are interesting and often fun, I certainly enjoy them. You're a good person :)
Love this shot by the way - lots of humour in it.
(this time, you have set a smile in my face)
:D
(I would like to share water with this cute face, to don't be afraid)
Love your shot BTW made me smile even though its a sad face........
Inadvertently, you have occasionally been thrust into the limelight on here a couple of times, that must have been a little disconcerting for you.
I love following you, a little corner of you appears to be a little bit sociable ;)
There is nothing wrong with being unsociable as long as you are happy =)
@karenann It's comforting to know we're not alone in our less-than-sociable ways! I have to agree with you on eating out—I too prefer to do that when I'm meeting people. We're not the type to invite people over in the first place except for a couple of very, very close friends. Otherwise, we prefer to conduct our social activities outside. Our home is our sanctuary. It is the only place where I feel I can truly be myself.
@summerfield *looks nauseously sweet and innocent*
@northy Ack. I still can't believe the attention that one shot generated. Someday, I'll laugh about it. Right now, all I have to offer when I think about that photo and the two discussion threads about it is a small smile. Of the I-still-can't-believe-it-happened variety!
Its ok to be you. I bounce between people a people person and wanting my own space - sometimes even I'm not sure what I want! I know what you mean about avoiding the limelight too... I always feel much more myself online than I ever do in the real' world...
I loved to read your story - I can totally relate to that! There are times, when I can't make myself to do the "fun" things everyone is supposed to love... But I also love to play with others a lot sometimes - as long as there is a way out :D I try to keep this in mind, because I think my children feel same way too. I think the freedom to choose is the key.
Thank you so much for taking the time to pop by. I was just trying to have fun with matches without actually having to light them up. Heh. Thank you so much for your supportive words. I appreciate them very much. Yes, sadly, I'm not what I may seem to be online, because words can only convey so much. And as I've mentioned before, in real life, I even have Chronic Bitchface Syndrome! ( Refer to: http://365project.org/myautofocuslife/365/2012-03-15 ) I can be fun to be around if you enjoy being bored to tears. Or if you actually get a kick out of looking at an unpretty, perpetually annoyed face. Haha. (My poor husband. I do love him madly for putting up with me! 8D )
Again, thank you so much. You are amazing people and I am grateful for your encouragement and understanding. Thank you!