Being on this constant journey of self-discovery, living in my truth, and unleashing it all, I have been making some changes. And, one of those changes—though minor in the grand scheme of things—has been remodeling and honing my content and overall presence on social media. Now, with different mediums operating various ways, obviously this has manifested differently across all networks. All of which depicting more of me in my truth. And, you know what I have noticed?
As I have been gaining new people to connect with along this process, I have also been losing several folks. All of this leading me to thinking even more about our relationship as people to social media and technology in general. Now, if you know me, you know how helpful and hampering I think social media and technology are. And, how for someone like myself, who has chosen the career path that I have, it can truly be a bane of my existence. But, alas, it seems to be a necessary evil. Especially given some people are now actually using social media presence to influence their casting, as opposed to talent and fitting the role. (Yay, actor friends, as if there weren’t enough factors already.) But, outside of this, with this loss of some folks in cyberspace as a result of what I know to be me being more vulnerable and, frankly, attempting to soar more in my fierceness, I could not help but to take and share these three invaluable and critical truths... One: Never seek your worth from social media. Two: Not everybody is going to dig your truth. Three: Social media will never be real life. Now, don’t get me wrong, there are many of us who are not afraid to get to the real, even from behind the comforts of our screens. (Shout out to those of us doing it, I see you, I love you, and you all are the real MVPs.) There are also folks who cannot be real off of social media. But, I say all of this to encourage us to tap more into, and not get disconnected from the real. I say this to encourage us to soar in our fierceness, on and offline, no matter who likes, loves, double taps, thumbs up, thumbs down, shares, retweets, subscribes, follows, or unfollows. We all use social media either to add unto ourselves, other people, or a little bit of both. And, whatever your reason may be, I encourage you to keep on keeping on. Just don’t lose sight of what’s real. So, as for me? Whether that means continuing to hit you with my mission of spreading love via encouragement and accountability, doing a little stream of consciousness on Twitter, or posting 6 to 9 puzzle pieces a day on Instagram to build mosaics for shots that just don’t look quite as good in one post; I’m going to keep on keeping on. And, I encourage you to do the same. They may not dig you on the other side. But, you better seek to be true before being liked.
4 Comments
Thank you for this message. I’ve been sucked into the trap of social media and my value. Recently, I’ve been feeling little less than because of all the things I’ve seen on social media! Like am I not good enough? Why am I not doing what they’re doing? Thank you for reminding me of my truth and holding onto my confidence!
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Yakima
10/7/2018 09:02:55 am
Heather! Thank you so much first for sharing your truth, and being vulnerable. It’s not something that seems to be comfortable in this space, but know that it goes much appreciated and embraced here. And, yes! It can be so difficult to be plugged in and not be TEMPTED (shout out to your most recent blog post, which was awesome by the way). Tempted to compare how you add up, how worthy your content and contribution is, how worthy you are and how well you’re doing. It can really be difficult. But, funny enough, I was watching A Star is Born yesterday, and it got on the topic of we as individuals having something to say in a way that only we can. So, I like to think that each of us can bring something to this space, online and offline, in a way that only we can. And, that’s what’s important. It is vital for us to be true to ourselves, online and offline, because not doing so can and will forever shape our contribution to this space. And, for the record, I very much appreciate and value your personal contribution. Keep going in confidence, love!
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10/10/2018 08:37:43 am
"Especially given some people are now actually using social media presence to influence their casting, as opposed to talent and fitting the role."
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Yakima
10/10/2018 11:19:21 am
Blayre... Let me tell you. It is a trip, love. And, I find that I am seeing it more and more. As I can understand the business aspect of it—though I still think it to be a lazy business practice—I cannot help but to think of how many strong actors casting misses out on because of it. Which makes me think where we are headed exactly in terms of the industry and art form.
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