I posted on LinkedIn about my brother’s incarceration and even though it made me uncomfortable, doing it finally freed me from whatever lingering shame I had left. (Ironic choice of words, I know.)
Your second guessing yourself about sharing something so personal is so relatable. I had the same conversation with myself over and over when I was trying to decide who it was “safe” to share what I was writing on Substack with. I want to bring awareness to abuse and trauma and share resources for people with C-PTSD more than I want to hide, and its because other brave people (like yourself) pave the way. So, thank you!
Your "should I, shouldn't I" dialogue reminded me of something Meg Conley said in a comment thread we were in. Meg posted a picture of some small hair ringlets in a bathroom sink, saying this was the instinct (to give her hair a trim) that rose up while getting ready for an interview. I asked if the interviewer was taking a picture, to which Meg replied, "No. I just don't like being perceived."
I've been carrying that around for a little bit now, and I think that's a real "suitcase of stuff" we all carry around to a degree. On LinkedIn especially, these folks used to know the entrepreneurial and always confident (but behind the scenes burning out, melting down, depressed) Amanda, and that same pause shows up for me. What will they think... How will I be perceived differently?
Anyways, just wanted to relate and say I'm so inspired to keep sharing the stuff I'm creating over here on my newsletter. It's been about a month now of posting to LinkedIn, and everything gets crickets or some VERY "left field" likes from people I'd maybe rather not be reminded of. ;)
Thanks for your comment Amanda. It's the exact same for me... LinkedIn is mostly crickets, so I was surprised to see so much engagement. I don't really engage much with LinkedIn, mostly b/c I feel like I have better things to do than scroll around looking at who started working at what company or inspirational messages about work-life balance. I'd much rather engage with the community on Substack, mostly because I'm more interested in what people are writing about or talking about on Substack Notes. I also totally agree with you about LinkedIn entrepreneurs and posting stuff to make themselves look confident, etc. IDK, maybe it's just me, but I don't see enough vulnerability being shown by the folks on LinkedIn.
Your second guessing yourself about sharing something so personal is so relatable. I had the same conversation with myself over and over when I was trying to decide who it was “safe” to share what I was writing on Substack with. I want to bring awareness to abuse and trauma and share resources for people with C-PTSD more than I want to hide, and its because other brave people (like yourself) pave the way. So, thank you!
Thanks Christy! Maybe bringing awareness to a certain cause helps us stay focused on that, rather than allowing the shame to take over. (I hope.) 🙂
Me too! 💜
Your "should I, shouldn't I" dialogue reminded me of something Meg Conley said in a comment thread we were in. Meg posted a picture of some small hair ringlets in a bathroom sink, saying this was the instinct (to give her hair a trim) that rose up while getting ready for an interview. I asked if the interviewer was taking a picture, to which Meg replied, "No. I just don't like being perceived."
I've been carrying that around for a little bit now, and I think that's a real "suitcase of stuff" we all carry around to a degree. On LinkedIn especially, these folks used to know the entrepreneurial and always confident (but behind the scenes burning out, melting down, depressed) Amanda, and that same pause shows up for me. What will they think... How will I be perceived differently?
Anyways, just wanted to relate and say I'm so inspired to keep sharing the stuff I'm creating over here on my newsletter. It's been about a month now of posting to LinkedIn, and everything gets crickets or some VERY "left field" likes from people I'd maybe rather not be reminded of. ;)
Thanks for your comment Amanda. It's the exact same for me... LinkedIn is mostly crickets, so I was surprised to see so much engagement. I don't really engage much with LinkedIn, mostly b/c I feel like I have better things to do than scroll around looking at who started working at what company or inspirational messages about work-life balance. I'd much rather engage with the community on Substack, mostly because I'm more interested in what people are writing about or talking about on Substack Notes. I also totally agree with you about LinkedIn entrepreneurs and posting stuff to make themselves look confident, etc. IDK, maybe it's just me, but I don't see enough vulnerability being shown by the folks on LinkedIn.