End-of-Year Reflections: Who Really Needs to Know?

I've successfully managed to decrease the time I spend on social media –  a small victory in reclaiming some of my headspace. Still, I’m not entirely immune to its trends. With the ushering in of a new year comes a familiar ritual: reflection. Reflection itself isn’t the problem. Reflection is valuable, necessary. What I find harder to embrace is the pressure to share these reflections publicly. 

I can be somewhat of an over-sharer, but have, over the years, learned restraint. Social media is so often a stage for every thought, every feeling, every achievement, every setback. It doesn’t need to be. And while other years have certainly had their share of misfortune, it feels even more off-putting to parade an endless list of personal achievements. 

This isn’t about bitterness, or having nothing to share — I’ve got my own highlights and joys from the year. But the people who need to know about them already do. I’ve told them, directly and personally, through text messages, phone calls, or a coffee catch-up.

As we move forward into the new year, I shall continue to hold on to quieter, more intentional approaches to connection. After all, the most meaningful moments happen far from the noise of a news feed.