If you know me well, you know that my experience with UniCamp was life-changing. The organization was responsible for my favorite friendships from college. It reaffirmed my ability to work with children and led me to become a teacher. It’s the thing that made me feel most alive.
UniCamp completely stripped me of my insecurities and allowed me to be ME.
A few months ago, I talked about the “sharings” at our UniCamp retreats and how I’ve been missing that kind of experience a lot lately. That’s probably why I’ve been so active on the Facebook page – sharing the ins and outs of my day-to-day life. I don’t really have a large group of people to do this with so I’ve been grateful for the online community that allows me this outlet.
I also know that I’m technically a “millenial” and part of a generation of people that overshares. The Snapchat selfies. The 6am insta-stories of my coffee. I am an oversharer and a millenial in every sense of the word.
And that can be a really confusing thing for older generations to understand. Especially when there are also cultural differences at play.
If my Nanima had an Instagram account, she’d be horrified to see how much information I put out there for the public to see.
Many Indians believe in “buri nazar” or the “evil eye.” They share a minimal amount of information for fear that someone’s envy will somehow force your life to come crashing down. People will encourage you against saying that you’re happy as if you’re tempting fate. And they discourage you from talking about the things that aren’t going well because there’s no need to air out your dirty laundry for the world to see.
But then my generation showed up and changed the rules of the party.
We’re out there sharing too much. Opening the windows to our private lives. Letting people see our insecurities, our struggles, and our wins.
I’m a rule breaker.
But, once I broke the rule the first time, it became easier and easier and easier to do it again. It became addicting to share everything with the world. Because it is absolutely freeing to show up and be completely open and honest in every interaction I have.
With nothing to hide.
I just show up.
As myself.
And it’s wonderful.
Brene Brown once said, “Connection is why we’re here. It’s what gives purpose and meaning to our lives.” In being vulnerable, you experience true connection and you begin to attract the kind of people who are willing to be open and vulnerable too.
Maybe older generations might find this shameful.
But, you know what?
I kind of like this girl I’ve becoming. And, in the end, that’s all that matters.
Question of the Day:
- Are you an over-sharer or an under-sharer?
I love this! I think I’m a bit in the middle to be honest. I definitely share a lot about my life, being a blogger and everything, but one thing I want to work on more this year is actually sharing MORE about my personal, every day life, because those can often be my favorite posts to read. I do like that people are more open and willing to share their experiences with the world though…I think it will generate great change.
-Lauren
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This is a great post. Sometimes I feel a bit like a hypocrite as often I like being an open book and sharing most things on the internet. I mean, I have a blog, Vlog an most social media platforms.. but in ‘real life’ I am a closed book. My personal life is my personal life and it’s no one else’s business lol. I’m not even sure I know how it works together, but somehow it does lol.
Jemma x
I love this. I am definitely an oversharer and I’m on the older end of the Millenial spectrum, but I believe somehow if we share more we do make more connections AND we just might change the world a little while we’re at it.
I think I share in moderation. I am definitely active on social media and love hearing about other people’s lives, but I am careful what I share about my own. I like to be open, but I also have to be mindful of my safety and that of my family’s. Let’s not forget what happened to Kim Kardashian because she shared everything about her life on social media. Everything in moderation…..
don’t worry, we can having sharing time when Memphis and I come to visit
It was so fun seeing you both this past weekend. Now it’s my turn to come visit Colorado and Detroit!
I have such mixed feelings about this (though I 100% do NOT judge you for sharing your heart!! I’m known to be an oversharer, too). Sometimes I wish I kept things private, but when words are OUT there, you can’t often take them back, and sometimes what we share can affect the lives of those around us. Then again, keeping things bottled in is so unhealthy!
I also believe in sharing both good and bad—good, because I like to celebrate news, and bad because I need to unload and life ain’t always unicorn poop.
I feel like this is all over the place.
Anyway, I love that you can share openly and that you feel good doing so. Ultimately you know what’s best for you and what makes your soul come alive <3 always love being here, Divya!
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I am going to agree with what Charlotte says above. I feel if someone is going to share – it needs to be good and bad. I work with so many people who are struggling because they are trying to keep up with the highlight reels of someone else’s life. Life isn’t all pretty and sometimes that is all one wants to see. Social Media is changing our worlds in more ways than we will ever know. Keep sharing – I feel that is how we will break through walls about subjects we haven’t often talked about!.
Being the old fashioned Indian I believe in Buri Nazar (Evil Eye)… too.
Its nice to share with a few close ones in your life (be it your family or friends).
To put it on social media for All to read is not my recommendation.
God Bless You with all that your heart desires!!
This is Aur Papa on Sadi Dadi Nani’s computer yet enjoying another Blog of my FAV DIV PIV!! I love you for being you, in purity of body, mind and soul. As transparent as glass, having nothing to hide!!! Sadi Dadi Nani has nothing other that WHATS APP, my personal view about this all is GOOD or BAD, it better teach someone something or IT (Your Story or Sharing) better have an impact or influence on the reader!!! The NEWS; MEDIA; GOSSIP; BACKBITING; (Sorry not my cup)
Keep blogging, make a difference is someone life!! LIVE LIFE WITH PURPOSE AND PASSION!!!
You’re the best!! Oh remember about “Buri Nazar” (evil eye) – This is my take – “WITH GOD ON MY SIDE, NOBODY CAN DO ME HARM!”
This made me stop and think about what I share and what I don’t. I tend to leave out the really bad and just share what might make others feel good.
I find that in some ways I have a hard time opening up and sharing online. I wish it came more easily to me. Whenever i do I have people read it before I hit post. 🙂 There are some areas in my life that I’d always keep private–like I’ll talk about my family, but I don’t want to share too much about them, since it’s my choice to share my life online and not theirs. But I think in other ways it would be nice to overshare a little more, mostly because I really do believe what that Brene Brown quote says.
Yeah, that’s true. I think it depends on if other people’s stories are somehow wrapped up in your own story. That’s when I leave it off the blog!