|
I am a researcher by nature. Even as a child, I was told it is best to look at all sides of an opinion, viewpoint, situation, and experience so that I can make a well informed decision. I can honestly say that I did learn this motto as a child, but really did not put it into practice until well into adulthood. Years later as a well-published researcher, I share this motto with my doctoral students. I instruct them to look for not only publications that support their viewpoint, but also publications that are contrary to that view. And so it goes without saying, as I begin this journey towards putting myself out there on video and eventual podcasts, I am doing my research on what lies ahead for me. Even before I made my first post on my Instagram accounts Redeem Thyself and 7_Pedals, I drew up and established my JM Lane LLC business, drew up a business plan, talked with my attorney, and obtained business insurance to protect me from liability. I needed to make sure that I could share my story without harm from those who have abused and traumatized me. I also wanted to protect myself in case someone misinterpreted what I had shared on social media. Next, I began long conversations with my therapist about what it means to share my story with the world. Was I ready to be THAT vulnerable? I had no idea what to expect. And, I can honestly say that my story through the written word has been supported, encouraged, and affirmed by thousands of people. I have found acceptance and strength. So, it’s time to take the next step. I think??? I am now back to researching social media in the form of videos and podcasts. Am I ready to put my face and my voice to my story, my healing, and the journey in learning to love myself? Well, let’s see. Psychology Today discusses how we should share our emotions on social media and the unintended consequences in doing so. This article is a prime example of why I took the steps I did to protect myself before I jumped into the world of social media. Misjudgment, misinterpretation, and unintended consequences are things I have to take into consideration. The article also discusses emotional venting and the erosion of self-respect. Being the introvert that I am, I seldom really show my emotions. This has been compounded, of course, by my learned skill of bottling my emotions. I have shared with my therapist many times that I am fearful of all of those emotions just exploding if I pull the proverbial cork out of the bottle. She has asserted many times that she does not think that will happen. I have also learned to send emails when I am upset. So, I am feeling confident that I will be able to continue to share my story in a reflective manner. On the flipside, Johann Sevilla’s (2019) article on emotional vulnerability tells us that social media is full of happy, exciting, and positive events. It may be creating the view that only good things happen to be people. Sevilla believes that social media can actually depolarize society by sharing the bad things that happen in our lives as well. “Social media tends to filter out uneventful and negative moments…” Life is not a box of cherries. Nor is it Leave it to Beaver, The Brady Bunch, or The Andy Griffith Show. I guess I am showing my age. But this is how I grew up thinking no one else had any issues; family members all got along. I could not even fathom that others had experienced abuse and trauma as I had. I am also reading and watching all things social media. Every “how to” reinforces that I have to be prepared for negative feedback and hurtful comments. No matter who you are, this is going to happen. For those of us who have experienced trauma and abuse, you know how hard this is going to be. I try to look at it as another opportunity to heal and grow. Podcaster Kimberly Spencer; influence marketers Eric Butow, Stephanie Garcia, and Brittany Hennessy; Youtube experts Sean Cannell and Benji Travis; and all around social media guru Gundi Gabrielle are all on my proverbial social media journey with me. I am watching their videos, reading their books, and taking the time to thoroughly understand this next step in my journey. Do they all see eye to eye on all things social media? No! But this is exactly why I do my research. I have to see all viewpoints before I can make an informed decision on what not only works best for me but also protects my brand and my journey. Being vulnerable on social media by telling my story in words has been challenging as I have been able to hide behind my screen. Taking this next step in using my voice will be much harder. Regardless, I hope it opens the doors for others to share their stories in such a way that we do not see the world as a box of cherries. Rather, as Forrest Gump’s mama would say, “Life was like a box of chocolates. You never know what you’re gonna get.”
|
