Socially Speaking

Social media is a mixed blessing. It allows us to connect to friends from the past and to make new ones who have common interests. However, it brings a share of heartburn as well. Hot on the heels of a rejection, we learn friends have had success at the same endeavor. We want to celebrate for them, but we are in the midst of a bout of self-doubt, self-flagellation, self-pity. Social media sometimes exacerbates these wounds, as we may learn of our failure only by seeing a friend’s celebration. This work is one in a series that addresses those warring emotions within human nature.