I'm pretty conflicted here. I'm a sophomore in college and I'm just starting to build my personality/how I act around people. I've been shy all my life so now I'm trying to build my personality out so I'm no longer the shy person in public. I realized that being shy isn't my personality because when I'm with my small group of friends I'm the life of the party, I can crack jokes whenever, I'm likeable, funny, etc. But around other people I just lock up because I don't want people to think I'm a jester or a clown.

I am trying to find the perfect balance of funny, while also being respected and people can come to me for advice. Because I could easily go full funny mode and people can always be laughing with/at me, but then I'll never be taken seriously. I could be totally serious and respected, but I won't be able to make jokes or be funny.

I see all over instagram other guys at my university and how they post/use social media and it's pretty obvious to get an idea of how they are in real life. Some guys are just absolutely hilarious and even I laugh at their insta posts and their captions, hashtags, (really stupid stuff I know, but you older red pill guys gotta understand that instagram is just a way of life now for gen Z kids like myself). They're just super extroverted and very popular. I feel they can get laid whenever they want and all people enjoy their company. I'm not saying I want to act like someone I'm not, but would it be bad for me to turn up my "funny" part of my personality? I'm really fucking lost here.