I figure I’m the only one reading this, so I feel a little safer voicing my opinions. And even though I sometimes keep things to myself and just listen to others, I do have opinions, just like everyone else. Opinions and perspectives; we all have them. And a phrase that I turn to frequently, when arguments arise, is “everyone is always right from their own perspective.” That helps me slow down enough to at least consider that their perspective has merit. I’m still right from my perspective, of course.

So, this thing about the masks. I’ve made 2, for my parents who asked me for them. It appears that Nebraska will start asking people to wear them when they go out.

You would not think something so simple would cause such anger and controversy, but I think there are some people who are simply on Instagram to comment on all mask pictures that homemade masks are not medical grade. Honestly, why people think it’s okay to blast a complete stranger, from their keyboard.

I posted something on Facebook recently; a link to the American Heart Association. And within 10 minutes, someone I’ve never spoken to or with, wanted to voice her opinion and “put me in my place.” Thank you, stranger, for your perspective. And that’s how you diffuse an otherwise, harmful back and forth. I just thanked her for her perspective. And then, in my own house, I told my hubs about the incident. Because it is almost an “incident.” There was anger in her reply to my link and to my perspective.

And after that, I decided, if I ever post on Facebook again, I’ll keep it fun and snarky, as usual. Because people, I’ve found, don’t want me to post anything serious, or even thoughtful. They want to laugh, and that’s not all bad.

I do know brands that post in order to get a rise out of people, intentionally, because they know that people will get in a debate, on their post, and friends, that makes the mystical Facebook algorithms talk to each other and say, hey, there is engagement here. Let’s show this account more often. You don’t think they would do that intentionally, do you? Create a post that they know will cause debate? Yes. They will.

I don’t, however. I don’t like anger and discord as part of my brand, especially from strangers who have never engaged with me personally, or with my business. Be off with you. Go spread your “I am always right and you never will be” on your own page, instead of stalking mine only to comment when it suits your agenda.

And that, friends who are not reading this because I haven’t posted about it, is how I really feel.

Now, let’s go sew!
Your friend,
Anne Dovel