THE DILEMMA OF THE OVER-SHARER

Chronically online twenty-two year old seeking guidance on how to shut up.

I'm semi-serious about this request. Since the launch of Snapchat, I have taken interest in sharing my life with an audience. Not in a vlogger, voyeurism-type of way, but, in a "I think my life/family/friends is super cool!" type of way. There's also something exciting, although that may be an over-exaggeration, about reaching others who may resonate with what I share, and the possibility of friendships forming because someone is taking interest in what I am sharing online. I have been fortunate to form such friendships, and I open my virtual arms for more. 

I love stories-- crafting them, reading about them, analyzing them. I have been crafting, revising, and publishing my own thoughts through different types of media for years. Again, I share to possibly excite, inform, or spark discussion. Perhaps on the flip-side of that, it may come off as I have an inability to set boundaries. However, I do tend to follow the societal trend of only sharing the good parts of my life, and if sharing about the bad parts, try to find some positive life lesson out of it that may be considered as "useful advice" that others may take.

As a belated Thanksgiving anecdote, I am thankful to be as opinionated as I am. I am aware that what I think and share is neither valid, nor is important enough to consider worthy of attention or discussion. However, to be honest, whatever I do share, I share for my own enjoyment. I am aware I share to a passively scrolling audience, so in reality, the only attentive audience member is actually... me. I find that it is equivalent to when people consume food not knowing what it is made out of, simply enjoying the small bites, because, why not? With this opinion shared, I do encourage everybody reading this to be slightly more attentive of what you're seeing online. I have shared these feelings in past writing pieces, and will continue preaching it to the choir that you just so happen to be a part of. What are your thoughts on that? Are you tired yet?

I do have a strategy when it comes to oversharing: I like to inundate people with so much information, perhaps information that even contradicts itself sometimes, to the point where the truth behind my words are subject to questioning. This then leads to exactly where I want it to lead towards: a conversation, or discussion, with me. I love connecting and meeting new people. Again, I must admit, I selfishly (over)share. 

"You speak gibberish," a friend once told me. Well, speak to me, and I will help you interpret my words, just like how you are trying to interpret mine for your own understanding. I believe that sharing perspectives is what we are bound to do in this lifetime, so why not tell me yours?