Obviously, different levels of openness are appropriate for different people. I just wanted to share today about the community that came from sharing my story.
Isolation is one of the most painful feelings involved in infertility. Sharing my story allowed me to connect with others who have gone through similar isolation. These connections took away the feeling of isolation. And good riddance!
When I first went public with the blog, I had at least seven ladies contact me within a few days. They included people I knew in college, friends of friends, and former coworkers. No matter our relationship before, we instantly had a camaraderie. And each of us suddenly felt less isolated.
I have gotten hugs from infertility sisters at church, chatted with them randomly in airports, and had countless conversations with people who get it. Yesterday, I was blessed by meeting someone in my area who has walked through infertility and is now in the adoption process.
Navigating infertility and adoption is so complicated and overwhelming. I cannot even describe the relief from learning that I am not alone. Others have walked this journey before (and ended up with children). Many are walking it now. Sharing my story has connected us. What a blessing!
How has sharing your story (infertility or otherwise) encouraged you?
This post was linked up with Amateur Nester Infertility Linkup, WholeHearted Wednesday, Share With Me, Lovely Thursdays, Essential Fridays, and Saturday Sharefest.
so thankful for our story so I can meet people like you!!! I have grown so much and formed so many relationships because of this journey!!! So glad we are not alone!
ReplyDeleteMe too. I was happy to read about your good test results today. Hopefully you have a baby in your arms soon.
DeleteI am so GLAD and BLESSED I was able to meet you yesterday!!! Community in this journey is so important!
ReplyDeleteI was so excited to meet you and so thankful for the adoption agency information. Thanks again for answering my many questions!
DeleteLove this
ReplyDeleteP.S. I updated the original poll post and linked to this at the bottom.
ReplyDeleteAww. Thanks, Lisa! The poll was a great idea. My heart hurts for the people carrying the infertility burden alone. Your post was a great encouragement to share.
DeleteYou couldn't be more right. Telling your story is a brave thing to do but a healthy one and can bring you a community you didn't know existed and support you otherwise might not have found. I am so proud of you and I hope you are of you too! You are strong and brave and it sounds like you did the best thing for yourself too. Great to spread the word and help others maybe come out of isolation, it can be a very sad and lonely place. Lovely post. Thank you so much for linking up to Share With Me. I hope to see you again tomorrow for another great week. #sharewithme
ReplyDeleteThanks, Jenny. Tomorrow will be crazy, but I will try to stop by again. Thanks for hosting!
DeleteI am SO thankful for the ALI community!! I have had people wonder why I am so open on my blog, and at times I have regretted it and wished I'd made it anonymous, but not most of the time. When I was wanting to start TTC but my husband was not, it was terribly painful and I had barely anyone I could talk to freely about it. There are still many parts of our TTC journey I do not share. But when we decided to publicly announce that we were adopting (a year after deciding to!) one of the first things I did was start my blog because I wanted in on the community I had been "creeping" on, lol, before we went public! And it is wonderful. So thankful. (And I assume it goes without saying that of course I would never wish these painful experiences on any one, though.)
ReplyDeleteI don't think anyone would wish infertility on others. However, it can be used powerfully in our lives. I am so thankful for the community.
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