There’s a lot to be said about putting aspects of your life on display in social media. Many people are against it because it lets everyone know certain elements of your life and opens you up to negative responses and cyberbullying. It allows strangers to see your children, the inside of your home, any expensive items you might own, etc. But it also shows us how our fellow travellers manage this great, confusing journey called life.
I recently watched a TikTok reel about a mother who kept running back to her newborn to check if it was breathing. Though presented humorously, it reminded me of when I did precisely the same thing. What interested me most was the comments. Response after response by people admitting to the same behaviour, even when their children are older. Only one or two respondents had a go at the new mother, telling her to chill out because what will be will be.
I loved that the reel and its responders showed me that my behaviour was normal. I thought it was only me who still checked on my kids into their teens. Yet, more than one other person said they did that as well.
So, here’s my question: Is it so bad to put your life on show if it helps others? Is this what we’re missing when we’re disconnected from our families, don’t have extensive support networks or are all too scared to admit we’re full of flaws, faults, and fears? I wish I hadn’t had to wait twenty years to discover that many others shared my worries. I was concerned I would be labelled overanxious or that people would ridicule me if I admitted to still checking on abnormally quiet or unwell teenagers. Yet this mother, in her shower cap and towel, who rushed back to the newborn in its cradle in the adjoining room three times while brushing her teeth and putting on face cream, told the world what she was doing and allowed others to feel safe enough to comment that they shared her fears.
Last week, the book I collaborated on with an artist was released on Amazon. Brush Tales, by Wendy Manzo and Natalie Bock. It is full of paintings and fictional stories about journeys. The themes include loss, loneliness, anxiety, grief, bullying and many other complications of life.
Our book is the realisation of one of Wendy’s dreams. In 2019, she held an exhibition of her gorgeous artworks, which spoke about life’s journeys. After engaging with her paintings, people shared with her the memories and stories her creations drew out. Those conversations inspired Wendy to create a book featuring her paintings so that people who couldn’t get to her gallery could still engage with them.
Wendy’s vision was to theme the book around R U Okay Day, where people are encouraged to check in on their family, friends, and others they have connections with and ask if they’re doing okay. We had worked together on an earlier book (The Voice in The Paint), and because Wendy liked my ‘voice’, she invited me to create words to support her art. I was captivated by the idea of writing about the trials and tribulations of life in a way that mostly still held hope. I loved the idea of our creativity joining together to help others. On September 14th – R U Okay Day in Australia – we will officially launch our book at Creative Hearts Art in Southport, Queensland.
Life can be challenging, but sharing our journeys and concerns, like the young mother on TikTok did, can make it easier. I hope that in its small way, our book helps our readers find release or creates a pathway to tell others about their story. The journey is much more fulfilling when we travel together rather than just nodding at each other as we pass.
PURCHASING DETAILS:
Brush Tales can be purchased as a paperback or Kindle e-book on Amazon.
A Glorious Mess 
Response to “SHARING OUR JOURNEYS”
Great post! You’re right about learning from others on social media.
When I was a young mother I thought I was the only one what wasn’t coping. The only one who wanted to run away sometimes.
Thanks for sharing your thoughts and congratulations on the launch of your book. ❤️
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