I remember being asked to prepare a speech on “Who am I?” by our English teacher, remember exactly how I sat chin in my hand wondering the answer. It wasn’t that I didn’t know myself, it was the struggle of choosing which version of “me” to write about. I am different with different people. And it took me time to realize that my favorite version of “me” is the one that comes out when no one’s around, when my actions aren’t captured.
Aren’t we different when nobody’s watching? when no eyes are judging us? our walk, tone, expressions, dressing everything that defines personality… changes in the blink of an eye. We laugh like hyenas, sing our lungs out in the shower, dance like mad. Those beautiful, rather, strange parts of our personalities oozes out only when we’re alone.
But maybe there’s something more to this solitude, something deep, something difficult to put into words.
You know, we all have evil parts within us, dark corners alive and secret passageways that breathe inside our body. When no one’s around, we may become selfish or wish ill on our enemies. We let out all those buried emotions. We end up revealing the unrevealable.
But maybe there’s kindness within us too. When no one’s watching, we still smile at the beggar with love, we still return the money dropped from a stranger’s pocket and still try to be the best version of ourselves.
We are the dark secrets we conceal and the mistakes that we make.
We are the love left unexpressed and the unnoticed kindness.
So, who are you when nobody’s watching? what do you do when no eyes are over you, when you aren’t being judged for every action, when your moves aren’t captured by anyone?
Are you still yourself, or do you become unrecognizable?
Author's Note:
Hey everyone! It's been a while since I last posted one of my reads, and I'm really excited to share this story with you. "Who Are You When Nobody is Watching?" is a reflection on the hidden sides of ourselves—the parts we often keep tucked away from the world. I hope it resonates with you!
If you enjoyed it, please like, subscribe, and leave a comment below. I’d love to hear your thoughts! :)
About the Creator
Komal
I write poems and stories that hit the feels.
When I’m not lost in my own plots, I’m either daydreaming about the next big idea or just winging life with a grin.
𝕀 𝕙𝕒𝕧𝕖 𝕥𝕙𝕖 ℙ𝕠𝕨𝕖𝕣 𝕥𝕠 𝕞𝕒𝕜𝕖 𝕒𝕟 𝕀𝕄ℙ𝔸ℂ𝕋
Reader insights
Outstanding
Excellent work. Looking forward to reading more!
Top insights
Heartfelt and relatable
The story invoked strong personal emotions
Excellent storytelling
Original narrative & well developed characters
Eye opening
Niche topic & fresh perspectives
Compelling and original writing
Creative use of language & vocab
Expert insights and opinions
Arguments were carefully researched and presented
Masterful proofreading
Zero grammar & spelling mistakes
The steps to losing a child
Step One: Lose a child. Not what anyone wants to happen and nothing you can do to change it, but you can go through steps to becoming happy again. You can go through steps to loving again. You can go through steps to become a new you because after losing a child you will never be the same person you once were.
By Tabitha Hinkley3 days ago in Fiction
Comments (19)
This is beautiful, well written. ❤️
I love this! Best!
Really wonderfully written
"Aren't we different when nobody is watching " got me hard!! Amazing 💜
Awesome.
This is so true. I like this.
This is so true
Beautiful!
I believe this contradiction is in all of us... Great perspective.
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"Such a thoughtful piece! It really got me thinking about who we are when no one's looking. Thank you for sharing."
Your reflections on the duality of human nature are profound and insightful. It's a beautiful exploration of the complexities of the self and the masks we wear in different social settings. The honesty and vulnerability in your writing are truly commendable. You've captured the essence of solitude and self-discovery in a way that resonates deeply. Thank you for sharing such a personal and thought-provoking piece.
This should be a TS. this writing is great. this feels like a book in the making. :) keep up the good work.
it's just epic. I love it.👏👏
I love your image choice, I looked at it for a while and realised that her face is the only thing revealed from the dark, which works so well with your topic of choice. I only needed that first paragraph to know that this is good writing. You’re beautifully matured in mind and spirit, so much so that you have captured fully that we are not just one; we are many. But who we are when no one is around should be the face that is highlighted, this brings us back to the cover image. I giggled at hyenas ~ this makes your writing sing~ when you bring humour along with relatability. You did that splendidly. Ooo you got me at the evil parts bit. I am a sucker for stories that include these realities. Even if it’s said or written in different ways. I love the balance there in the next paragraph, we do have good in us too. I love when both is represented in writing. I especially love that you picked up the desire to return the money fallen from a persons pocket. It is a very real event and a lot of us can remember doing something like this, or something similar to it. Great choice of examples. I also love the lines chosen to be highlighted in bold. Who is Caitlin when nobody is watching. I get angry and I get spiteful, but also when nobody is watching, I give the last clothing on my back and I think of ways I could make somebody’s day. When someone hurts me, I try to push pass the evil in me. Sometimes I win and sometimes I lose but when I win, I give back love 7 fold even while I am in tears.
Wow! I'm mesmerized by your thoughts the way you raise the question yet simple but difficult to know :) Just Mind blowing!
"Oh! You have truly captured my emotions. Indeed, there are many emotional similarities among all humans. When no one is watching, we become who we really are. We are freed from acting and can relax. Such a wonderful thought!"
I guess being alone when no one's seeing is what we're actually in reality! Well done, I loved your ideas. Keep it up ❤
Wow, Komal!🍁 I loved how you captured the idea that being yourself while no one else is around is your favourite version of yourself!💕 Beautifully written!🍁
Komel, this is so interesting, and yes, it does make me evaluate who I am and recognize how far I've come in this trial called life. Nice post. Your articles are so good. I look forward to them.