What is there to say that hasn’t already been said?

There are millions of stories still untold. Only some make it to print. Why?

Perhaps it’s because so many people believe that their story isn’t important or unique enough to make a difference. They’re concerned about putting themselves ‘out there’, only to be embarrassed or ignored. After all, what makes you, or me, any more important than anyone else?

Why should others listen to what we have to say?

Firstly, I don’t believe that any one of us is more, or less important than anyone else. We’re all individuals with different experiences and ways of looking at the world. And whilst life events may be similar for many, how they affect us on a personal level will be different. There are also distinctive characteristics which cause life events to affect us in different ways – intersectionality is vast and constantly evolving, from sex and gender, to race and religion; and socio-economic status and educational attainment, to physical ability and neurodivergence.

There’s nothing inherently wrong with any of us – we’re all, just different. These differences and life events give rise to experiences, and from these, we grow, learn, and develop as humans – and therefore, everyone has a unique story to tell.

Secondly, we live in an age where it would appear that anyone and everyone has something to say (no matter how irrational or ill-educated) and we’re drowning each other out – especially via social media. The up-side is that more people are accessing information and debating topics important to them. The down-side is that many conversations are turning into arguments and in some spaces, it looks like all-out [online] war.

Some, are so vocal, so angry and toxic with it, that it causes others to either disengage, or to become equally as outraged and venomous. Social platforms can then become dangerous places to be, as they can negatively impact mental health and give users an awful experience. So, it’s important to pick and choose when, where, and with whom we debate. Sharing our lived experience will be welcomed in some spaces, and spat at in others.

So why write?

Over the last several years, it has become more common to share “lived experiences” and to openly discuss things like suffering with poor mental health, or being the victim of childhood sexual abuse (CSA). These topics are becoming more mainstream and many more people are resonating with the stories and experiences of others. Getting this stuff out there in the public domain is incredibly important, as it normalises some, very taboo or delicate subjects. And I’m not talking about the kind of normalisation that makes these things ‘ok’, but simply make the point that these things happen every day to millions of people around the world – you’re not the only one.

From previously ‘hush-hush’, to now open and honest, and wearing things on our sleeves – one could argue that we’ve gotten to the point of over-sharing! How many more stories do we need about domestic abuse or birth trauma?

Yes, we do need to hear about this stuff and we do need to share, learn, resonate, and realise that we’re not the only ones. But we also need to share good-news stories and positive experiences. When was the last time you read a truly positive news headline, or picked up an uplifting novel?

Perhaps your experience and your story could become a voice for changing the narrative around certain subjects. Because sometimes, things go right! And we ought to be sharing this more with others – to uplift, inspire, motivate, and encourage others to also share their good news. We need to do this without shaming or judging others, without bragging, and without getting caught up in ego or the materialism that can often come with ‘success’.

We need to see fewer ‘look at me’-type posts and virtue signalling, and more genuine positive experiences. Perhaps you received great customer service, or managed to resolve a problem. Maybe you’ve developed a project that benefits others in your community, or you’ve worked out a way to bring unemployed parents together to collaborate on a new business venture.

You might have a great story to tell, an adventure to write about, or a song or poem just waiting to be released into the world. Who are you to write and put yourself ‘out there’? Who are you not to? Do not play small. Do not dim your light. Do not believe that you’re unimportant or that you have nothing of value to say.

Your voice matters (#YVM).