Social Media Shenanigans: Dirty Laundry

Two weeks ago my dirty laundry was everywhere. For our wellbeing and out of concern for the person who helps us keep sane by cleaning our house, we decided to giver her time off until this current wave of Covid subsided. The mountain of clothes was the biggest eyesore. Thank goodness she is back and my dirty laundry is under control again.

Airing dirty laundry on social media platforms has become the new norm. Even if your social media accounts are set to private, it is never a good idea to use your pages to vent about something or someone you are not happy about. I grew up being told that you should never air your dirty laundry in public. Somewhere along the way, we need to be guided back to that place of knowing what is acceptable to post in a public space. It’s crucial to remember that the responses on your post can start to snowball, other people start arguing after picking a side, and before you know it, your seemingly private grumble is now a public brawl.

NO. Just no. Stop it immediately. Stop with the cryptic comments, vague insinuations and startlingly inappropriate sharing of too much information.

Whether it’s infidelity, family feuds or your run in with your neighbor who won’t trim the overhanging branches, nothing about your post is going to endear you to your audience. And yes, when you post about it, you are writing for a particular audience or you would have walked it off and told your pet tortoise instead.

Stop to ask yourself, “Is this post too much?” Social media bashing is the new alternative to actually having a conversation with the concerned party. Here are a few things I apply to stop getting myself into hot water.

Nobody wins

Have your ever just read through comments of a post where people are really having a go with expressing their opinions and it becomes quite clear that the original post is no longer even part of the equation? When the post becomes popular and people start sharing it, stories get twisted and no-one’s reputation is left intact. Take our recent hiccup with a less than desirable tenant. I had every intention of preparing a scathing write-up, ready to hit post, except the more we spoke about it, the more we realized, it would not change the situation one tiny little bit. Delete text, and move on to a more uplifting post that will actually make a tiny bit of difference in the world.

Kangaroo court

Trial by social media is a definite NO. It doesn’t matter how many people take your side and believe your version, nothing is going to change the truth of the situation. Only you and the person/s concerned can resolve it. If you can’t resolve it, walk away from the potential post and take a deep breath.

If you believe strongly enough about something, follow the legal route and let a court settle the dispute. Social media platforms were not built for settling legal disputes.

Fight fair

Far too often when we think we are justified in exposing someone via social media, people are finding entertainment at our expense. Everyone following the post thread and the comments that accumulate end up taking the issue to another level, one you probably never intended but no longer have any control over. When last has anyone ever reached out to you via a telephone call to ask,” Hey X. I saw your post and it sounds like you need some TLC. What’s going on?” I’ll wait while you come up with some numbers. My number is ZERO. Not once. Fight fair. Think first of what it would be like if you were at the receiving end of the post you want to air.

My final thoughts on this would be:

· Do apply common sense when addressing issues that stir up deep emotions

· Do remember that restoring a damaged reputation is hard work and nearly impossible

· Do write out what is bothering you but delete it before you actually post it

· Do ask yourself what you will gain by your post