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I Have a Confession

by now most people here know what i have to confess. first of all i want to say im sorry that i hurt so many people. it was never my intention, but i did all the same. for that im truly sorry. i'd like to tell the full story. i understand those who don't feel like hearing the full story, but so if you are interested, please read on.

when i first joined sw i used my own pic. not many of you will remember this, because i was mostly a lurker. back then i was messaged every day for just being logged on as a 18 yo female. and i was stupid and naive and replied to every one of them, because i'd been taught that it's rude to not reply to people. some were nice, some were normal pervs, and some were predators. and pretty much everyone made me feel uncomfortable.

and then i had a mental breakdown during the fall of 2016, around when i joined sw. for a long time i was stalked in real life by a norwegian guy. he lived across the country from me, found me on instagram and started talking to me as if he knew me. like the people on sw, i replied to him out of a sense of obligation. these conversations lasted from before i graduated till i moved out to go to school. i foolishly told him which school i was starting, and despite not knowing where i lived, he traveled across the country to show up at my school's campus. he took pictures of himself at my school, asking me where i was and asking me to meet him. i didn't know what to do, but i got so scared i didn't leave the house for two weeks, skipping every class. i never saw him in person, but he kept messaging me for a long time, even after i asked him to stop. i blocked him, so he started messaging my friends. eventually i had a breakdown, told my dad everything and he made sure i got a restraining order.

i no longer felt safe online because of my past with my stalker, and also i didn't trust the people of sw because of the people who had messaged me. so i decided to switch out my pics for someone else. i started using the pics of a girl who followed me on tumblr called lily to protect myself. i'd like to say there was a big contemplative decision where i deeply considered the ethics of the choice, but there wasn't. i just switched pics. but the switch it made me feel safer, and eventually i allowed myself to become more and more active, and i got to know some of you little by little.

i never claimed to be her in the beginning. if anyone ever asked me directly i'd either just not answer or be vague about it. of course, i was fine with letting people assume and never corrected people, which was really hypocritical of me. eventually everyone believed i was her anyway so it was like 'why not'? after using her pics for a year as avatars tho, it just sort of spiraled. idk why but i let it get to my head. i only used her pics as avatars, but suddenly i was posting them in public. so of course people thought she was me. and then that spiraled into the booty post pics and we all know the story from there

someone asked me today if i did it for attention, or for profile views. i honestly didn't, though i didn't shun that part of it either. everyone wants to be liked, don't they? i'm no exception. but not everyone pretends to be a different person, no matter why they did it. i know that. i know i messed up pretty bad. i let something that was originally only meant to protect me become my actual identity on this site, and deceived so many people who didn't deserve it in the process.

i'd like to say that the first person i confessed to was lily. i messaged her and apologized to her on instagram last night. i feel so horribly guilty about the whole thing, and out of everyone i owe an apology to, she deserved it the most.

wrapping up, i'd also like to let you all know that im not an old man pretending to be a girl for nudes. despite the pics, i've been honest on this site about who i am as a person. i like cat pics and bad jokes. but im also a person who clearly makes terrible choices. if you don't feel like you can forgive me for deceiving you, i do understand. but the only thing i can do is more forward and do better. so that's what i'll try to do

once again, i'm truly, truly sorry
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You did let yourself carry away. It was wrong. You know this. I do have to correct you though. You said she became your actual identity on this site. That won't be true to me. It was your avatar, for sure... but who you are and were is atalanta, the girl from Norway who likes cat pics and bad jokes. But also the person who clearly made a terrible choice. You're correcting yourself and standing up for what you did wrong. To my knowledge you never used your pics to deceive anyone, catfishing them or anything else. You're contributing to this place in a positive way. I won't use much space at this time or place to criticize the ways you were outed here by someone, without them giving you a chance to correct things yourself, or even giving you a chance to defend yourself on their post as they blocked you. You got the courage to face your mistake and you did not lose my respect or friendship. <3
UndeadPrivateer · 31-35, M
I absolutely believe you and I'm glad you came out and cleared the air. That takes a lot of guts to disarm yourself like this. I'm sorry you had that negative experience that lead you to this but sometimes it's those experiences that allow us to grow in life. I'm still happy to call you a friend and put this behind us.

Tatsumi · 31-35, M
@UndeadPrivateer Gif saved. Violently.

BabyLonia · F
Your identity on this site is your posts, your cats, figure skating Eurovision self.
To make this post takes a lot of guts, there is no one that hasn't ever lied about themselves, very few that have will have made such a sincere apology.
I wish you'd been approached directly first, but it doesn't matter, if anything, the way you have handled this and faced it deepens my respect for you.

JRVanguard · 26-30, M
That’s understandable really
I’m glad to know the full story
Good job on owning up to it

You’ve never used these pictures to trick or hurt anyone so I won’t hold it against you

You’re still a great friend and a wonderful person no matter who’s picture you use

Also, I’ve never seen you say those pictures are you except the “bootie” post

We’ve all made mistakes and have backed ourselves into a wall before
It takes a big person to own up to them
SW-User
I dont know why people are getting so bent out of shape about this?

This the internet we can all be as open or as anonymous as we like. Online gaming requires usernames but some of the games are fantasy amd make believe yet nobody on those gets outed as a catfish.

I dont understand why people feel the need to out people who arent using their own pic this is supposed to be a site for anonymity.

It took guts for you to tell your story and I'm sorry you had to go through something as terrible as that.

Oh I have a confession I'm a unicorn 😂

🤗🤗
TechniCoIorBroccoli · 46-50, F
This seems a sw pattern. Get outed. Comeback with a victim story, get sympathy and then be a hero... I don't know u and not trying to be mean just stating facts.
TechniCoIorBroccoli · 46-50, F
@SapphicHeart public outting is a different debate and different perspectives. Accepting compliments on someone's pics as your own is catfishing and can have no justification or sob story as an excuse.
@TechniCoIorBroccoli
Catfishing will be more than accepting compliments. I get plenty of compliments on the pics I use and post. The difference will be that I tell they aren't mine and the OP sees this now as well. Shouldn't she be allowed to show a better self? To my knowledge she hasn't been using them to scam anyone, which in my book would be catfishing. There seems to be no victims in this specific case. There will be losers as I stated before. I am sorry, we won't see this specific case in the same light, or being close to some of the other outings here.
SW-User
@TechniCoIorBroccoli well said I agree with you 💯
BabyLonia · F
What is really remarkable is the anger that users are projecting through their second accounts. The only person that has any right to show any anger in this situation is the model whose pictures you took. Everyone else is just displaying whiny behaviour, and not from their main account. What they are missing is your apology, which is sincere. I get there will be people that will say why it's wrong, and most can see you already know that, for some it affects their trust which is also understandable. But this anger and hatred seems a little ott.... I mean it's not as if they're even hoping for make-up sex afterwards
I’m not certain what happened of course, and I really just stumbled across this due to a comment someone made on your most recent post. I’m sorry for that and what you’ll have to probably put up with from now on. I will be honest and say I don’t really understand your reasoning behind it, and I still don’t think it’s justified, but it does take guts to still stay here with the same account, apologize, and give your explanation behind it (if it’s true) even after all that’s happened. Not even that, contacting the girl and letting her know what you’ve done was really brave. That really shows how sorry you are if you truly did do that. Either way, I still think you’re a cool user on here. I enjoy your post and comments, and I’m glad you stuck around. I hope you won’t be experiencing too much hate or bullying from this and you can just use the site as normal.
SW-User
You’ve clearly got a good heart. We all make mistakes, and what matters most is that your intentions were never to deceive or hurt others. So try not to worry about it. I certainly don’t think any less of you. ❤️
juiceyangel333 · 31-35, F
That takes guts
Like i said in PM atalanta i love you no matter what <3 I duno where i read it but it said we are more than the sum of our parts. Youre SO much more to me than a girl whos face we never saw anyway! Even now i can close my eyes and hear your voice from that post and see how beautiful you are <3
Classified · M
This is a really brave post. It shows how kind you actually are. Apologising on such a large scale so you are considerate to everyone. I respect the way you handle this very much. I hope we will all continue to get along with you. That's my intention at least. 😊
Dusty101 · F
Wow what a very true and dear post!!
We all have skeletons I'm sure. Many hide behind their avatars. You did it for safety. That must have been truly horrific for you!
People here that like your posts and your jokes , would truly understand.
Some people use filters to make themselves more appealing and shrug it off as a non filter and their eyes look mental!!!👀 You've done nothing wrong. I'd be proud if my daughter enjoyed a chat site and used a hidden identity. It's ok... you're ok and your cool.. from one cat lover to another may I shake your hand!!!🤝 💚 stay safe lovely!
SW-User
When I first read "I have a confession " I expected you to explain why your profile picture is a bunny not a cat 😐 But, well that's a more interesting story and I appreciate the courage it takes to post such a story
caccoon · 36-40
I've always found your personality to be lovely. You're fun and intelligent and you have a quick wit. I don't think you need to use a picture of a pretty girl to get attention (since you're not comfortable with using your own, and I'm sure you're beautiful too <3). I'm sorry about your stalker situation, that is terrifying. :(

Anyway, I hope you'll stick around, because you're well-liked here. <3
SW-User
This is a very respectable response to whatever went down. We all make mistakes.
Livingwell · 61-69, M
I can understand why you did it and how terrified you must have been. You apologized to the other victim other than yourself so in my mind, there is nothing to forgive.

I really appreciate your honesty. I hope your mind and heart find peace. I would gladly be your friend with no expectations other that of friendship. *hugs!*
CountScrofula · 41-45, M
Your identity is that you're a cool interesting person. Use of that picture does not change that. I literally don't care what you look like or what cover you used, particularly since it's not like you used the images of that girl to manipulate people. You remain cool and interesting.
SW-User
Compared to the fuck ups I made in my life you're an angel :)
You never had malicious intent, you actually had good reasons.
Unlike other people on SW you actually own up to your mistakes, and that is a very respectable quality.
I’m so sorry you experienced that. I was stalked by someone in college who spent years trying to find me. It was terrifying even without the ability to locate people that the internet now provides, so I can only imagine how frightened you must’ve been.
Mktonght · 61-69, M
There is not a person on here nor anyplace else who has not done some things in their life that they are ashamed of. The courage it took to come online and give your apology is commendable. There are some of us on here who are here because we actually care about others.
Forgive yourself and strive to not let this be a lingering issue, just proceed carefully with whom you connect.
Blessings,
Mike
Reject · 26-30, M
It's okay. I never fully believed it. Remember when I said I thought you were wealthy? Lol. I noticed your pictures were always too gussied up. They didn't feel real. They weren't selfies, way too doctored. I think you were brave to come out about it though and I'm happy you did. No bad feelings. Everyone makes mistakes and I admire the fact that you owned up to it instead of running away. :)
Broooo so much shookt but I understand now. I hope no stalker anymore. Hugs! 🐈
Carver · 31-35, F
Even though I never cared for you very much, I commend you for owning up and making this post and I don't approve of the way this was handled by the user who outed you. I can't say this makes me like you any better but it does make me respect you a little more.
NoYou · 26-30, M
You’re too hard on yourself. You don’t owe anybody anything. Unless you purposely used that girls picture to manipulate and cat fish I think it’s totally fine. :)
drymer · 56-60, M
Kudos to you for publicly coming clean about this, most people wouldn't have bothered (it would have been easier for you just to create a new profile and forget about this one...)... Sorry to hear about the stalker... (I always wonder where do these people get the money to travel the world and spend their time stalking people? Don't they have jobs? Who pays their bills...?) I remember your user ID but not any pics, and anyway I never believe the pictures in the profiles are the "real user"... Lesson learned, right...? You can't go on trusting people on-line, way too many crazies out there... Hope the people here behave well with you and make you feel welcome and not uncomfortable... Always be "on guard" but hopefully that won't prevent you from meeting good people... Good luck!
:)
Ladywiththepants · 31-35, F
I swear if you start saying you are a dog person it's over
SerenitiesScars · 36-40, M
I don't feel deceived... 🤔 I still think you're you and awesome..

😒 But you never talked to me about potato the cat you bish.. *Signs divorce papers..*
SW-User
I honestly don't ever recall you actually claiming to be the person in the pictures. So that I will not hold against you, especially given your past.
Selah ·
If no one outed you would you have made this post? Just curious.
SW-User
@Selah i'll be completely honest and say probably not. this was a bit of a wake up call for me, one i needed. but i don't regret that the truth is out now. it shouldn't have been hidden in the first place
SW-User
No problem
I take everything and everyone I see and what they say
with a pinch of salt anyway
so no harm
SW-User
You're a good human being
IAmJess · 22-25, F
Your second paragraph describes exactly my first month on SW. When I first joined, I picked a cute pic of me and made it my avatar. Then I mostly lurked around and, like you, started getting lots of random messages just for being here.

It's not easy to figure out how to deal with this place. We're most definitely not in Kansas anymore. So today, I'm completely anonymous. I do tell people where I'm from (Massachusetts, USA) but really nothing more. I don't ask for pics and I don't give pics (mostly ... there have been a few exceptions). I'm here for the convo's, nothing more.

As for how you handled it in the beginning? Well, it is what it is and you've come clean. Really, you did the right thing by telling Lily. She's the only one hurt by it. That must have been difficult and you got my respect for straightening that out first.
JohnOinger · 41-45, M
understandable
Awe sorry to hear how this all happened. It sounds like it was a very tricky situation. Hope you are doing okay :)
Well I don't know much about any of this and I want to keep it that way. You have always been kind to me and that is all I care about anyway. You are a sweet person and I hope you get through this little bump in the road without a lot of pain.🦋
SW-User
I'm not reading these massive paragraphs.

As ordered and neat as they are.

There is no excuse for deception.

I don't even know if you agree with the above or not.

If you went out of your way to deceive,
though,

I hope you feel alright, now.

Alright enough to be yourself.

Existing can be rough.

Sometimes it helps to live lighter,

not heavier.

(I'm trying to figure out how, in my own ways.)

Wish you the best.
SW-User
Aw my god now I understand this, it is ok u will be ok 🤓💕✌️
Docdon23 · M
Hopefully I do not elicit too much criticism, but I honestly always take what I read here with some skepticism--since it is anonymous mostly, I am sure there are a lot of people pretending or saying things they may not believe...many people come here just for some fun and relaxation...
bellybuttonfan17 · 36-40, M
One of the most brutally honest posts I have seen on here. We didn't talk much and so your behaviour n reasons for putting someone else's pics didn't/don't bother me in the least. But I have a new respect for you after this post. It must have been hard. Kudos to you! 😊🤗
CheshireCatalyst · 41-45, M
Love you buddy. 🤗
SW-User
Lol sorry but this sounds a load of utter bs to me. Not hating but given my years of experience with manipulative people this statement is very cut throat re circumstances of stalking etc.

How could you return to a social media site like SW after what happened to you ? .... telling people here you used another persons photo to get through what happened?

That doesn’t add up at all ! I’m not being nasty but my empathy is with the persons picture you used in order to self justify you being found out and the stalking sounds like a way to gain peoples sympathy.

Surely any young individual who had actually been stalked would avoid social media entirely for the sake of their safety and moving forward with their lives ?

Was this not reported to the police ? Did they not advise you to keep away from social media sites being so young and going through stalking ?

Not buying this at all.

And another thing, why have all your I’s in lower cases I is I not i
Bigbird · 46-50, M
Hey I still consider you a friend even though you probably don't remember nor know who I am. 🐎 You were always nice to me. Keep your head up. Sorry you had that experience. Keep moving forward.
-hugs
chuck7882 · 61-69, M
🤗 you've been through a lot. We all have done things we regret. God bless you and hopefully you'll be back posting soon.
meemo70 · 51-55, M
I read something about you recently fighting to prove that you’re not a catfish but I don’t know details. And I heard that you won the debate.
I don’t know you too, we never interacted on here before but this post is so emotional and sounds true. I hope you find peace in your mind after this confession and most of all after apologizing to lily.
This message was deleted by the author of the main post.
SW-User
@meemo70 i'd rather not see what people are saying on other people's posts
meemo70 · 51-55, M
@SW-User I’m sorry again if my comment here was disturbing. No harm intended!
This comment is hidden. Show Comment
SW-User
don't expect a reply here. i blocked her
SW-User
@SW-User Awww :(
@Femini
You sure don't think twice, that will explain how your initial response made no sense at all. I'm not the one to advice you, clearly... b-butt... using the right end thinking might help you get your message across the boards, unless stirring the pot with draaamaaaaa is your llama. Now go spit it.
KaysHealingPath · 36-40, F
I was unaware of all the drama but I’m glad you got to share your story
wakanda4eva · 26-30, F
very well written tho, I'm impressed

 
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