Changing one's personality depending on who they are with is a common behavior and can be influenced by various factors. Here are some possible reasons why you might experience this:
Adaptation and social dynamics: People often adjust their behavior to fit into different social situations or groups. It's a natural human tendency to adapt to the expectations and norms of a particular social context to feel accepted and avoid conflict.
Desire for acceptance and belonging: You may change your personality to gain approval or to fit in with a certain group of people. This can be especially true if you perceive that your authentic self might not be fully accepted or appreciated by others.
Empathy and emotional intelligence: Some individuals are highly empathetic and emotionally intelligent, allowing them to read and understand the emotions of others. This can lead to adjusting their behavior to make others feel comfortable or to connect better with them.
Self-preservation and avoidance of confrontation: Changing your personality in certain situations might be a way to avoid conflicts or confrontations. You might suppress certain aspects of your true self to maintain harmony and prevent negative reactions from others.
Social roles and expectations: Different social roles come with different expectations. For example, you may act differently with your family, friends, colleagues, or superiors because of the roles you play in those relationships.
Insecurity and self-doubt: If you lack confidence in your authentic self, you may feel the need to mimic others or present a different persona to be liked or respected.
Exploration of identity: As you interact with diverse people, you might explore different aspects of your personality. This exploration can lead to adopting certain traits or behaviors from others temporarily.
Cultural and environmental influences: Cultural norms and environmental factors can shape how individuals behave and interact with others. You may adjust your personality to align with the cultural norms of different groups.
It's essential to strike a balance between adapting to social situations and staying true to your authentic self. While some level of adaptation is natural and necessary for social interactions, it's crucial to maintain a strong sense of self and not completely lose touch with who you are. Embracing your authentic self and being comfortable with it will lead to more genuine and meaningful connections with others.
If you find that you're constantly changing your personality and it's causing distress or a loss of your core identity, you might benefit from self-reflection, introspection, and perhaps seeking support from a therapist or counselor to explore these behaviors further. They can help you understand the underlying motivations and work towards a more balanced and authentic self-expression.