Power of Sharing

Facebook analytics from a semi recent post. Over 17,000 eyes were on me.

Social media — Facebook in particular — is an interesting place.

It’s where we celebrate births and mourn losses,

share opinions about everything and nothing.

A place where we come together—and pull apart.

I’ve always used Facebook to share me.

Photos. Stories. My kids. My dad.

My accomplishments—and also my devastation.

Mixed in with the personal posts were quotes,

inspirations, memes, messages of love, light, and belonging…

and yes, a ton of selfies.

I used Facebook to spread joy and positivity,

but also the vulnerable parts of my story.

It became an extension of who I am.

For someone with an introverted personality,

it was a powerful way to stay connected.

A way for people to know me without having to be in the same room.

It started slowly—this sense that people were watching,

listening, knowing me beyond my own knowing.

One day, I was sitting in a doctor’s appointment,

talking about my health, when my doctor casually said,

“You know, you have a lot of fans.”

I had never thought of it that way. But she wasn’t wrong.

My friends list was full of people I knew—

and a lot of people I didn’t.

I’d walk down the street or through the mall

and people would stop me to tell me how much they loved my Facebook posts.

I received messages from people thanking me for my vulnerability,

telling me they felt less alone because of something I shared.

Once, at the airport, a man came up to me and told me how much he appreciated me and my positivity.

I had no idea who he was, so he introduced himself.

I was traveling with a friend at the time—

and I’m pretty sure she thought she was witnessing a celebrity encounter.

I should have asked if he would take a selfie with me.

I’ve had lifelong friends I’d lost touch with tell me I inspired them to be better.

To be braver. To chase after their dreams.

That’s when I began to see Facebook for what it really was—a tool.

Any of us can use it.

How we use it is the part that matters.

For me, it became a place where my story met other people’s stories.

Where sharing openly created a quiet kind of belonging.

I was deeply committed to it for years.

But recently, I stepped away.

I’ve taken a break from Facebook for almost a couple of months.

I needed shelter from the masses. I needed time away without all eyes on me.

So I chose to share here instead.

To pour the deepest parts of my humanity onto your screen.

No likes. No comments. No instant gratification.

Just analytics quietly telling me someone is reading.

What I’ve learned is this:

the power isn’t in the platform, the number of likes, or being seen.

It was always in the sharing.

And sharing leads to connection.

And for me, connection is everything.