Sharing Your Story
“Our stories are not meant for everyone. Hearing them is a privilege, and we should always ask ourselves this before we share: “Who has earned the right to hear
my story?” If we have one or two people in our lives who can sit with us and hold
space for our shame stories, and love us for our strengths and struggles, we are incredibly lucky. If we have a friend, or a small group of friends, or family who embraces our imperfections, vulnerabilities, and power, and fills us with a sense of belonging, we are incredibly lucky.”
- Dr. Brené Brown The Gifts of Imperfection
Holler to a Ponder … what do you post on social media? Do you post your story to the world without consideration of who your audience is? Do you give everyone in the world a free ticket to your private personal story? Have these people earned the right to hear it? Do you feel more support and understanding after you post such a personal story? Or, do you feel more judged, misunderstood, attacked and vulnerable?
Does privacy serve to protect us? Are we confusing technology with real social connection? The notion of privacy has changed dramatically with the advent of social media. The need for and idea of privacy certainly is different between the generations. Baby boomers, for example were raised not to air their personal issues, or, “dirty laundry” in public. Whereas, the millennials and Generations X, Y and Z who grew up with social media don’t feel heard or accounted for unless they post on it.
The social media companies have used scientific methods to take their hold and hook users. Consider the “like” feature on Facebook.
It was created to instigate competiveness and increase social media usage.
Interestingly enough, some of the founding tech movers and shakers in Silicon Valley do not permit their children to be on social media. Why is this?
Check out this article in Business Insider:
https://www.businessinsider.com/tech-execs-screen-time-children-bill-gates-steve-jobs-2019-9
Last year Americans spent an average of more than 1300 hours on social media, according to a Forbes article:
Facebook users averaged 58 minutes per day, or over 6 hours per week. On a yearly basis, that’s over 325 hours! Whereas, Gen Z (persons born 1997-2012) prefer using Instagram and on average spend 53 minutes per day, or almost 297 hours per year.
Have you thought about taking a class to learn something new or to earn a degree, but you say to yourself you don’t have the time? No time to workout?
This time equates to working out for almost an hour a day, 6 days a week! Okay, maybe your not a gym rat or obsessed with working out. Maybe you’d like more time to spend with people you love or do things that bring you joy – a hobby, reading a book, trying a new recipe, exploring a new hiking trail – the possibilities are endless!
Is your time on social media ruling you, or are you ruling it?
Speaking from experience: I once had a friend who was addicted to social media.
I would call her or text her to see if she wanted to meet in person for coffee or go on a walk or see a movie. She was so busy with social media she didn’t have time to meet face-to-face. Without the sensory experience of hearing her voice, her intonation, hearing her laughter, witnessing her tears, hugging, laughing together and sharing stories, our friendship died. There is no replacement for live, real, human interaction. Actually, on an energetic level when we meet each other in person there is an exchange of energy. It’s an unseen force; it can be felt and it can affect us. …. it can be amazingly loving and healing, or it can be negative and repelling. Has the hair on your back risen when you encounter a particular person? This is emanating energy manifesting from a person. On the other side of the spectrum, have you met a person who has such a great vibe – a beaming smile, a fluid way of moving, an open heartedness that you want to be with them?
