That’s right, I’ve always seen it as two separate spaces, but I fear many people no longer know the difference. For some, the lines have blurred so much that the Internet has become their reality, their identity, their entire existence. But I’ve always looked at it a little differently.
See, my love for technology started when I was young. I used to break the computer in the house, just to see if I could fix it. Not because I wanted it broken, but because I was fascinated with how things worked. That curiosity never left me. Then, in my preteen years, the Internet became a massive force… bigger than anything we’d seen before. And right alongside it came something new: social media.
At first, social media was pure magic. It felt like an upgraded version of having pen pals… except this time, you could actually see people’s creativity, share your own, and celebrate each other’s ideas in real time. There was joy, connection, and genuine conversation.
But as I grew older, I noticed the shift. The terminology changed. Suddenly, we didn’t have “friends,” we had “followers.” What started as a tool for connection turned into a stage for validation. It wasn’t about expressing yourself anymore… it was about being seen. Artificial Fame crept in. Ego crept in. Comparison became the currency.
And that’s when I realized something… the Internet isn’t just a tool, it’s a program, and most of us don’t even see the ways it rewires us. Those who do see it, who try to speak up about it, are often labeled as “crazy.” But this is exactly why I write, why I record, and why I speak my truth, because I refuse to let my voice be drowned out in this new world order.
Now let’s circle back to ChalkZone. If you’re old enough, you might remember that show. It was about a kid who discovered a magical chalk. Whatever he drew, it came to life in another world called ChalkZone. To me, that’s the Internet in a nutshell.
We live our normal lives, then we log in and suddenly, we step into this boundless world where anything is possible. You can be whoever you want, as long as you can draw it convincingly enough. That’s the Internet. A place of infinite imagination, yes, but also one that’s not real.
And here’s the double edged sword:
- Strength: The Internet allows us to build, create, and imagine beyond limits.
- Weakness: It has also divided us, depressed us, inflated egos, silenced important voices, and made many of us insecure about things we never even thought twice about before.
That’s why I’ve always kept the two worlds separate. I know where reality ends and where ChalkZone begins. That separation has helped me protect my mental health…though I’d be lying if I said it was always easy.
The Internet has a powerful way of making you feel like if you’re not online, you don’t exist. Miss a few posts, and people act like you’ve vanished “this still haunts me to this day”. But here’s the truth: I exist most fully when I’m away from the screen. That’s real life. That’s where growth happens. That’s where peace lives.
So my message is this: you don’t need ChalkZone to validate your life. You don’t need likes to confirm your worth. You don’t need to curate yourself into a walking commercial just to be “seen.” The real power lies in knowing how to balance the two worlds. Use ChalkZone “the Internet” as a tool, not as your entire existence. Create, connect, and share, but don’t lose yourself in it. Because the most authentic joy, the truest version of you, exists right here in the real world.
And when you can master that balance, the Internet becomes what it was always meant to be: an extension of your creativity, not the definition of your identity. Don’t get stuck living only in ChalkZone. Step into your real life boldly, unapologetically, and with intention. That’s where you’ll find the peace, purpose, and fulfillment the Internet can never give you.
Hope this helps,
– B
Leave a Reply