Yes, there’s a story here. And, yes, there’s a major takeaway. But it seems to me that we’ve forgotten about boundaries in our search for internet authenticity.
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Being #Authentic is trendy. But I wonder to which degree? How much is too much? And why share at all? I recently sat down with a woman in Moscow who happened to read my story of my battle with Anorexia in a Russian newspaper called @sport_express . It’s a translated version of @katiejoyallen ‘s amazing work. The woman said, “it opened my eyes to my own unhealthy eating habits + patterns of self-sabotage. I saw your relationship w/your father mirror mine. It was healing to read. How are you so brave to share your story so publicly?”.
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I thought about this then answered: it’s one story of the hundreds of others which make up my narrative. I am selective. I think long + hard before I commit to sharing something. I ask, “would this help others?” + “is my ego involved?”. If the latter exists — if I’m looking for validation or to fill up a hole — I know that I’d be sharing for the wrong reasons. But once I commit, I am thoroughly committed.
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My battle with Anorexia Nervosa is an open story bc I know too many who’ve suffered + continue to suffer in silence. Bc I know that mental health (especially in Russia) is a subject most will not touch.
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So, when thinking of your own Authenticity, especially as it pertains to the internet, think long + hard. I feel there is something to the notion of boundaries, + inner-circles, + a private persona and self-reflective dialogue. It’s done not to remain mysterious. But to remain whole. To keep a Self for Self. Otherwise, it’s too easy to be spun out of control.
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Oh, the story of “my way”? It’s a good one. That I know for sure 😉 #wwwd
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// tattoo artist: @vingrapes 🙏🏼