Is a problem shared truly half solved?

A problem shared, they say is half solved. But I have come to realize that quote needs an addendum. So I would say, a problem shared with the right person(s) is half solved but a problem shared with the wrong people is twenty times magnified. Technology has blessed us with social media and with such a wide reach, it is easy to share issues with the possibility of getting solutions free of charge. But like a double edged sword, in its strength also lies its shortcomings especially if used carelessly.

Writing (especially when it is not a scientific paper😃) is cathartic for me and I’m one of the lucky ones that recognized my strength early enough. So, I write and share a lot of things including some about my personal life. But as much as I love sharing, I’m wise enough to know that as we have kind and evil people in real life, we have even more vile people on social media who would sometimes hide behind the cloak that an anonymous profile gives them to destroy others with their words.

I have a note of caution when you’re sharing. You should either have attained a level of insight where the words of people that have no positive impact in your life does not affect you anymore (no matter how malicious they are – the kind of insight I have) or you should be someone that can live with whatever consequences follow what you have shared, or you’re discerning enough to seperate the empty advice from the real thing…or you’re sharing in a closed group where you are almost certain the people there are sensible and kind ones. But to put something out on the worldwide web and expect that all the comments will be all raspberries and sweetness is tantamount to self-deception.

That is also why I find it amusing when people with a large following get dragged and they’re suprised. My friend, it is either you’re incredibly naive or deliberately obtuse. You have followers in hundreds of thousands and you expect that all of them are normal? Not possible! Once any of my posts start to gain traction or becomes popular on the timeline, I immediately turn off notifications for such posts before my head starts turnioniown (and I’m not even someone with a really large following or an influencer o). I may go back to it later but definitely not when it is all over the place.

If you have a diagnosed mental health issue and you have not gotten to a level where you are stable enough not to get tipped over the edge, please be careful what you put out. There are several mental health advocates on SM that you can reach out to that will have your best interests at heart. I guard my mental health fiercely and no matter how unperturbed I may be to trolls, some of them will still look for a way get to you. My notifications are off on ALL social media platforms (including whatsapp) and I refuse to allow a device control me. That works for me. Find what works for you.

If you have issues in your marriage and you’re hoping for resolution, there are several groups where you can share with people that will give you solid advice. But on the worldwide web, more than half of the people are looking for entertainment and some are even looking to destroy others. Some problems that would have otherwise been solved, relationships that would have otherwise been repaired have become irreparably damaged simply because they were shared with the wrong people.

Be cautious when sharing – except you’re in the group of those that share for clout and empty hailings. If you’re in this group, carry go joo, all way na way afterall😁. A final note of caution. You know that saying of “all publicity is good publicity?” Nei. No. Mba. Kojo. Rara.

Not anymore. There are some types of publicity that cripples you so badly that it may take forever to recover from (that is if you recover at all). You will gain the popularity you so desire, but your credibility will become so eroded.
There’s a caveat to this sha. If you have ‘bastard money’ or you’re very powerful or you have a solid PR team – then all publicity is indeed good publicity. But if you don’t have any of the above (which majority lack), then you better be careful of the kind of publicity you expose yourself to. Ko ma lo f’owo ara e sera e. (So that you won’t be the architect of your own misfortune).

A word they say, is enough for the discerning wise.