Why Is It So Hard to Write an About Page?

Research shows it’s not just you—science explains why distilling your identity feels impossible. Plus a few strategies to make it easier.

Theoretically, writing a bio should be easy, right? Yet–and I don’t know about you, but I can’t possibly be the only one–I find myself paralyzed, staring at a blinking cursor, when I need to write one. Science actually has many ways to explain why it’s so tricky to write about yourself in a way that feels real, resonant, and “good enough.” (You knew I would drag science into this.)

Photo by Atahan Demir.

It’s so Awkward to Write About Yourself 

Suddenly, the line between sharing too little and oversharing feels razor-thin. If you lean personal, you worry you’ll seem unprofessional; if you stay distant… well then, what if nobody connects with you? So there’s tension between wanting to be human and wanting to be respected that trips so many of us up. Will you sound arrogant or too modest? You’re trying to show what you bring to the table, but in a humble way. It’s such an emotional tightrope!

Coming up with the ideal representation of yourself is not easy and the self-discrepancy theory exp…