[SLOW-MO GR] - Sharing your story and why it's powerful! 13th - 19th May
Alright, it's time to talk about our favourite topic! YOU.
This week's GR is all about sharing your story and why it's powerful.
As humans, we crave the sense of belonging and seek out meaningful relationships with other people.
Normally, we focus on our similarities to build connections by talking about our favourite bands, what high school we went to and who we want to see on the iron throne in GOT.
So why is it then that we're asked about ourselves we shy away from sharing our story? The sometimes hard and twisty things that really define us. The things we really should be talking about more!
Sharing our stories makes us vulnerable and it can be really hard to do but the power in sharing our story is building connections and communities that thrive together and make us realise we are not alone in what we are going through or have been through.
The perfect example of this, is right here on the forums! If you want to read more on sharing your story, you can start here.
Join us on the 13th till the 19th of May to talk more about sharing your story and it's powerfulness! You know what they say..
Comments
So many amazing responses, everybody!
Have you ever shared your story with somebody else? How did you feel before/during/after?
I've shared parts of my story both publicly and privately. The first time I shared publicly, I remember being beyond nervous. Somebody actually came up to me at the end to let me know how much my hands were shaking during my talk haha. I think sharing in this setting has become more comfortable for me over time with practice and it's such an awesome feeling at the end knowing what you've just accomplished and when other people can relate to what you've been talking about.
I probably find sharing in more intimate settings more daunting! At the end, it's generally such an amazing way to bond with that other person/group of people and really break down some barriers/preconceived ideas that we may have about each other, but at the beginning and during, I'm definitely freaking out.
Why do we share our experiences? What do we (the storyteller) get out of it?
I think sharing our experiences really helps to break down the barriers we seem to put up between ourselves and others. We're all human after all and by us being vulnerable, it may encourage others to do the same. I find it super rewarding, especially when your experiences are shared with others. Sometimes it can take a real load off if you know somebody else is experiencing/has experienced something similar.
What are some things that have held you back from sharing your story and talking about your experiences?
I definitely agree with you @lennycat2017 and @WheresMySquishy, other people's perceptions and reactions are a huge factor. Fearing that other people may treat or think of you differently. I think it feels safer to hold everything close and not put yourself in a position where other people potentially may judge or react in a negative way. To mitigate this, I definitely make sure I'm comfortable in the environment before I share anything.
We're on a roll guys! Here's the questions for Wednesday!
Has somebody ever shared part of their story with you? What was it like?
How does finding out someone has a similar story to you make you feel?
Has somebody ever shared part of their story with you? What was it like?
How does finding out someone has a similar story to you make you feel?
I had a friend share a significant trauma she had been through with me after about 1.5 years of knowing her. It wasn't a conversation specifically devoted to that but she just mentioned 'I don't know if I've ever told you this' and opened up. Instantly, I felt closer to her. I wanted to let her know that I would always be there for her and lift her up through her experience. After that, we have been open about everything in our lives and we even live together which means that our home now for both of us in the perfect safe space.
Being able to connect with someone who has a similar story to me just makes me feel less crap and more secure in how I'm feeling. I know that I have support and love from them, I use them as a guide for bad days because I know that they're going through it too. As someone aiming to work professionally in the mental health field, it feels like a small victory to have people sharing their story, breaking down walls around stigma and engaging in conversations that need to be more open.
Has somebody ever shared part of their story with you? What was it like?
How does finding out someone has a similar story to you make you feel?
A lot of people have confided in me over the years. I think these experiences have been positive overall and made us closer. I feel that some people in my life have been more able to find solutions to problems when they've reached out for support and we've been able to talk through the issues together rather than bottling up their emotions. Sometimes it can be stressful to know that my loved ones and friends have been hurting or going through a difficult time though. I think that someone sharing part of their story with me shows that they trust me and think that I'm a loyal confidant or friend. That makes me feel proud of my positive qualities.
Knowing that I'm not alone and that other people have gone through similar things has validated my feelings and made me feel a lot better when I'm feeling down. It's not that I want people to go through bad experiences but I feel that empathy can be really helpful, especially because feelings of isolation can be physically painful. I think people can sometimes be more equipped to listen to and help others when they've gone through similar experiences themselves.
@WheresMySquishy and @lennycat2017 that's really lovely that connecting this way with people you care about has brought you closer and helped build trust 
Next question!
Have you connected with someone after sharing your story?
If you have shared your story, what advice would you give to someone who is wanting to share theirs?
I think we've shared a bit about the first question but i'm interested to hear what people say about the second 😄
Have you connected with someone after sharing your story?
Recently, I participated in Laps for Life to fundraise for ReachOut, and as part of this, I shared my struggles with OCD, depression and suicide with all my family, friends and Facebook and Instagram followers. A lot of these people had no idea that I even struggle with mental illnesses, let alone severely. This experience connected me with a lot of people from my past who expressed that I had been a good friend to them, and that they would gladly allow me to lean on them now. In addition, it has made me more connected to my family, who got behind me and made a real effort to educate themselves on OCD so they could spread my story accurately and appropriately.
Recently, one of my biggest connections has been with people sharing their stories with me as a result of my own openness. One of my ex-teachers opened up to me about her OCD diagnosis, and one of my ex-coworkers told me about her brother's OCD, and we discussed how she could support him through his struggles.
If you have shared your story, what advice would you give to someone who is wanting to share theirs?
My advice is to share your story in as much detail as you can cope with. For me, I took a lot of strength and power from sharing my story with as many people as possible, because I find it gratifying to know I can help others. However, for some people, it is easier to only tell a few people at a time. When I first started experiencing OCD, the only person I told was my Mum, and that was enough for me at that time. There is no obligation to share your story with the whole world. It doesn't make it a shameful secret to keep your personal life private. Just share as much as you are comfortable with.
With that being said, don't be afraid to be brave. Your story is a source of strength, beauty, and courage. If you feel that it is something you want to spread, then go for it! So long as you are sharing your story for the right reasons (to help others, to gain a sense of closure and strength from your past, to connect with others and allow them to know you more deeply), it should ideally be a positive and productive experience.
Last one for the week guys!
What does sharing your story mean to you?
Huge thank you to everyone who's shared in this GR, you're all so wonderful (tbh, everyone on RO is :P)
What does sharing your story mean to you?
I think sharing my story empowers me, gives me a voice and allows me to help others, perhaps even encouraging them to tell their own. I feel proud of myself whenever I tell people my story. It has also taught me that good things can come out of having bad experiences. Sometimes it can also be a relief to get something off my chest. 
@WheresMySquishy that's so awesome that sharing your story is relieving and empowering for you Going through really hard times and using your experiences to help others is so brave and so so inspiring This really comes through in your responses here on RO, you're always so compassionate xx
@queenP such an amazing point!
It's so powerful to share your experiences with others, no matter whether it's to get help or to inspire others to do so. But you're also so right that there's nothing wrong with keeping your personal life personal! It's what feels right for you, and you don't have to justify yourself to anyone
Looking forward to this one! 😄 🙂
Can't wait for the discussion to get going tomorrow!
Hey guys! Happy Monday!
Let's kick things off:
Have you ever shared your story with somebody else? How did you feel before/during/after?
Why do we share our experiences? What do we (the storyteller) get out of it?
@queenP thanks so much for sharing that was really beautiful to read!
i really love your answer to the second part, how sharing is connecting 😄 xx
Have you ever shared your story with somebody else? How did you feel before/during/after?
I've been varying shades of open about my experiences with friends and family, and i think how i felt differed every time haha. What was really wonderful was confiding in friends with similar experiences and having them just get it, no questions needed. That was really comforting and made me feel super close to them It also meant that i could share things that other people might find alarming or scary, but that they just took at face value, which made me feel a lot better and more willing to potentially talk to a professional about it. I love them so much xx
Why do we share our experiences? What do we (the storyteller) get out of it?
I really agree with queenP that we connect to people when we're open with them. We're able to ask for support and to offer support in return. Sharing can help show people that what they're going through is something other people have been able to recover from and can inspire hope
Tuesday Time! 😄
What are some things that have held you back from sharing your story and talking about your experiences?
Great question!
What are some things that have held you back from sharing your story and talking about your experiences?
For me, it's a big question of how people are going to perceive me? It can be hard to not think people are going to view you differently, even when you know it's not going be in a negative way most of the time but it can still feel like sharing my story will make me look weak or like I am telling it for attention.
Are being going to see me as a victim? Will people pity me? Both of these things I do not want from sharing my story but linger in the back of my mind.
It also depends on who I am talking with and whether sharing my story will affect the other key players in my story and how they are perceived (my parents mostly). I am less likely to share my story with family members to avoid family drama and repercussions but I am able to share my family history with those outside of my family circle a little easier.
What are some things that have held you back from sharing your story and talking about your experiences?
Sometimes I get worried about how other people will react and how they will think of me. I am also a very private person. I have also had experiences where I have confided in people and found their responses unhelpful, or I felt that they were criticising me rather than supporting me. Whether I am willing to share my story also depends on the kind of relationship I have with the other person. There are some things I am more willing to share with like-minded people who have been through similar experiences, strangers, or people I'm close to. There have also been times where I have told someone something that I thought was going to stay between us and then they told other people who then made jabs at me about it. This damaged some of my relationships and made me less likely to share my experiences with that person again and in general. I think everyone has been in that kind of situation.
Okay, I'll get this party started!
Have you ever shared your story with somebody else? How did you feel before/during/after?
Yes, I am very open with my family about most things, so they know just about every feature of my story, from coming out as a lesbian to experiencing bullying to my OCD and depression. However, it is only recently that I've opened up to my friends about the fact that I suffer from OCD, and this experience has been a real eye-opener. Before telling my friends about my mental disorder, I was a little concerned that they wouldn't take it seriously or that they would just brush it off. BUT I've actually found the opposite to be true. My two best friends have each listened to my story and offered a helping hand in support in two very different ways - one of them offers to come to my doctors' visits, and checks in for regular catch-ups, while the other one wrote an article about me for the university newspaper that she works for. After this experience, I feel a lot closer to the both of them, it has really strengthened our friendship because now I feel as though they truly 'know' me.
Why do we share our experiences? What do we (the storyteller) get out of it?
In my mind, we share our experiences as a way of seeking connection. By making ourselves and our story vulnerable to the actions and words of others, we leave ourselves open to the possibility of receiving empathy, compassion, support, and solidarity. While vulnerability can be the birthplace of betrayal and broken trust, it is 100% necessary to build genuine and organic relationships, and it is the breeding ground for love and mutual support. That is why I think it is important to share our stories with those we trust - with people who have earned the right to hear our stories, with people we suspect will appreciate our stories, and with people that have shown up for us in various ways throughout our lives.
