I often get the sense of “the one who screams the loudest gets all the attention”. I daily see posts where people come out with a strong opinion, they complain about this and that, they cuss, they scream and are fed up with a “wholelotta” things. They say what they think and they get applauds for it. But is it real? Is this really who they are after they have left that screen? Will they stand up and really say their opinion then? Or are they doing it because everyone else is doing it and you need to be seen and heard online to get attention?
What about being real? What about not cussing and screaming and still get your message out there? I am very opinionated but I do not feel comfortable making posts like “I am so sick and tired of people who…” or “I have had it with…it is time to take a stand” and then it goes on to complaining. And the day you come across a post that says “f*ck” then you can send me an email asking if everything is alright. I’m not saying that if you use those kinds of words daily you shouldn’t in your posts, what I am saying is don’t use them because you see everyone else do it and think you also need to do so to get attention.
Leaving my comfort zone to stand up for my opinions
I am very opinionated. I will say what I think, especially if someone is being mistreated or there is something I truly disagree on. But, I am also very quiet. You won’t see me arguing online, see me shouting and cussing or complaining publicly about this or that that someone has done. Unless I am really upset that is, but then you have to upset me quite a bit actually.
I don’t like arguments. Actually I hate fighting. But ask my husband and he will laugh because I fight hard to stand my ground when we argue, lol.
But sometimes we need to step outside of our comfort zone. And yesterday I had to step outside of mine. I read something that made me so upset that I could not let it pass and had to give my opinion. And as I wrote it I felt uncomfortable. I didn’t want to start an argument or being attacked back. But the comment made left me so uneasy and upset that I couldn’t keep quiet.
I left my comment and a few people has liked it so far. I think I said what many thought but wouldn’t say. But it’s not about the likes. Even if I didn’t get any “I agree with you” likes I still would’ve left the comment. This morning as I woke up a reply had been left from the woman who commented. And she did not attack me. Quite the opposite. She said “Thanks for calling me out on being an asshole…I appreciate it! Can I hire you to do that on a more frequent base?”.
Now one side of me thought “is she trying to be funny?” and the other side of me knows that’s not the case. And the only thing I have done is reply with a “like”. Was it uncomfortable to stand up for my opinion? Yes in a way but in another not at all. It’s who I am, I just prefer to do it in a way I feel comfortable in.
3 thoughts on being opinionated without fearing being attacked back
I believe there are plenty of people out there who are just like me; who prefer to keep a low profile although they sure have things to say. If that is you, here are three thoughts that might help you next time you want to leave a comment without fearing being slashed in half for doing so.
- Be kind but firm. It’s ok. Love always win.
- Ask yourself “what is the worst that can happen?”. The probability that someone will come haunt you at home is quite slim I’d say. And if you always operate from a place of integrity and kindness that will show in the end, no matter what someone says.
- Breath. Allow yourself to give your opinion. It’s OK. You are probably speaking up for someone who wants to say what you say but doesn’t have the courage to do so.
I will call you out on being fake but I won’t judge
Can you hire me to call you out on being an asshole? YES! Actually that is what I do, but I won’t call you an asshole. Instead I tell the truth in a loving but firm way. Because I don’t think I will help anyone by being a bitch all the time. That just ain’t me. But I will call you out on being lazy, on being judgemental, of slacking, of not doing what it takes and complaining. I sure will. I have no problem what so ever doing that. Just let me know. Just make sure you can handle the truth because I am bad at sugarcoating.
What’s your take on this? Do you need to be opinionated to be a success online? Leave a comment, would love to hear your opinion.