25th Feb - Success in Silence

I always found myself narrating my own life, but I didn't listen, I was out of control. A radiating bleep of your siren there for any of you with a particularly potent satire alarm. But like many of you, I've grown up in a generation where every detail of our lives is published, and documented, for all the world to see. Hell, as the worst possible culprit of such heinous crimes, I even write this daily diary of mine. However, you'll also have noticed that I choose to omit huge chunks of information. Exactly what it is I do for a job, where I live, my partner's details, or the inner workings of my actual thoughts or daily happenings.

Instead, what you see here is a vague dip into the skimming surface of my brain, usually focusing on a topic or concept which might come to me in the shower, in bed, or usually, just as I'm writing it and allowing pen to flow to paper (fingers to keyboard, but you get the idea). Like many of you, I also use a vast array of social media. Life without Twitter is unimaginable for anybody in the modern age without even the smallest inclination to stay up-to-date with relevant news and information, or to broaden their cultural horizons, whilst authentic folk are beginning to tire of Instagram on account of the fake, Dubai, OnlyFans, Love Island, nature of it. TikTok is booming, mainly due to the low intellectual level and short attention span of our current generation, Snapchat is reserved for immature man-children who are still 'grafting' by sending dick-pics as they desperately attempt to grasp onto the eternal youth of their latter teen years and early 20s. Leaving Facebook, as the dusty old unused spinster of the socials world. A forgotten tin of beans sat at the back of your cupboard. 

Despite this, Facebook is my favourite of all socials. Because I use Facebook solely for my own benefit. I don't add people on the basis of one solitary meeting, or a chance encounter on a night out. Like my pubes, I keep my friend list trimmed and tight at all times, and have no insecurities if it looks a bit small. These are people who I speak to at least once a fortnight, and anybody failing such requirements, are suitably removed. When I start a new job, I gather the names of each of my fellow employees and immediately find, and block, all of them, so that nobody can cross the divide between my work and personal lives. These are not 'friends', they're people who get paid by the same HR department as yourself. Set your boundaries early on. My Facebook, or even my Instagram (which is set to private), are my inner sanctuary of memories. In a world where physical photo albums are now obsolete, I wish to scroll back through my posts and uploads and remind myself of the highlights of my life, 30, 40, or 50 years from now. This is what social media was originally invented for, but our expectations of why we're using these platforms have since become skewed. 

Like many of you, I was the quickest, the most foolish, the most naive, to share every inch of my life. New jobs, new happenings, new ventures which made me feel proud. But, sadly, not everybody is your friend, many of those who 'follow' are simply jealous, and will look to use new announcements against you in spiteful ways. Social media is a powerful promotion tool, and I'll continue to use it for such reasons. But if you're seeking the validation of others, 'likes' from strangers, or people you've not spoken to in X amount of years can't cure the insecurities which you aim for them to remedy. Myself? I've learned that success is best enjoyed in silence. Don't show people your journey, only allow them to witness your end goal. Since last year, I've been partaking in one of the proudest accomplishments of my life to date. Likewise since the turn of 2022, I've been the 'ghost' behind so many online happenings which so many would have no idea I'm responsible for. I no longer require the glory or accreditation... 

... My success, is now achieved through silence.