I’ve shared my love for Facebook on Real Moms Guide pretty openly here a couple of times already, and for those of you skeptics out there, I’d like to say how much it is a support system as it is a networking tool. That is, if you’re willing to put it all out there.
Obviously, I’m one of those people who is willing to put it all out there.
The other day my Facebook posts were getting kind of sullen. I was feeling down about our recent relocation. My kids have not embraced our move from Chicago to Scottsdale as I had hoped they would, which has made me sad. Maybe it was a combination of my emotions, some gloomy weather, and the holidays being over, but I felt deflated. Yep, that’s exactly how I felt.
Rather than keeping my emotions to myself, I shared them on Facebook. People responded. My high school friends sent notes and texts to cheer me up. One of my best high school girlfriends called me right away. A friend from first grade emailed me – one whom I had seen only twice since she herself had to move away in fifth grade! A new girl I have recently met out here, but who used to live in Chicago, sent me a note inviting me to lunch, and told me she knows EXACTLY what I’m going through. And so many other FB friends responded – some who I only know cyberly (I don’t even know if that’s a real word, but it should be).
The outpouring of kindness, understanding and love I felt was immense and intense. I didn’t feel silly for feeling the way I did. I didn’t feel dumb for sharing my thoughts with my FB friends. I use FB as an outlet to connect with people through the internet – with the people I left behind when I moved, with family from far away, with people I’ve met through blogs and writing, and with people I hope to meet in real life someday.
The internet is an amazing place. To me, it’s a real place with real people. People who are there to help when you’re in need. The other day, I needed kind and comforting words, and my friends – real friends who I seek advice and counsel on all sorts of topics – made my day better.
Thank you Internet. Thank you Facebook. Thank you Friends.
Great job! I also think it’s important to write your feelings down….if only to VENT!
Agreed Stephanie. As a stay-at-home mom I can’t imagine not being able to connect via the internet with friends and other moms. I joined FB right after I had my 1st daughter and honestly, it helped while I was in the lows of some post-partum D. I think I would have been miserable as a 1950′s housewife. =)