Breaking the fourth wall on LinkedIn…

When a voice starts narrating a piece in my head, I know I should listen to it and write it down.?So here I am, thinking about breaking the fourth wall on LinkedIN.?

What does that even mean??

It’s the phrase that popped into my head this afternoon, so I’m exploring it myself.?LinkedIn is such a powerful platform for business. I enjoy posting something that might be helpful to those looking for comms, an example of good practice, or to introduce some people I like working with. And I consistently recommend clients to use LinkedIN in too.

I believe in the power of genuine communication. You can’t go wrong with honesty. Although it’s not always comfortable.?

Earlier this week I wrote a very quick post about what work I am looking for, switched my profile picture to a selfie where you can actually see me, and put on that green ‘open to work’ light.?

And then I ran away from my desk. I was mildly terrified to show that I do want and need to reach out beyond my existing pool of client work.?

But would you believe it, I’ve had some really positive responses, a clutch of??very interesting meetings booked in and potential clients to meet.??

Honest, heartfelt communication works, who knew?!!

(Obviously this is?exactly?what I advise people – sometimes its hardest to do, especially when you don’t feel so chipper).?

I’ve been thinking that along with the different social media strands, perhaps as people we also split ourselves up a bit too much. I post different stuff on different channels. That’s right, isn’t it?

No-one wants to see a holiday pic here, or a piece on AI on the 'gram.?But at the same time, I am one whole person. I can’t segment myself and forget the entire me. It’s not about being vulnerable or finding a good angle, it’s about trying to bring my whole self along. For my benefit, as much as yours.?

I strive for being my complete self and reaching my potential, as much as I possibly can.?

What does that look like??

I am a writer. I am a communicator. I am a business owner. I am a dancer. I am a friend. I am a carer. I am an introvert. I love people. I love challenging ideas. I love finding solutions.?I love learning. I like to help people feel confident, because I need to work on that all the time myself.?

Back to that word carer that snuck in. I’ve had to become an expert in LBD/dementia, because I’m my Mum’s carer. It has completely turned my life around in ways I could not have anticipated. It is a brutal disease, and it is a rollercoaster.

This impacted my confidence professionally, which I wasn’t expecting at all. But totally obvious really – the challenge of being a carer for an unsolvable illness is immense. You can always do more, but can never make it better, only less worse for the briefest times. I’ve been suffering with what’s called anticipatory grief, while trying to manage Everything, from buying and selling homes, finding carers, researching meds, finding care homes, painting nails and soothing the terrors. I didn’t even want to call myself a carer for the first year.??My mother is now in a care home, but I am still the one responsible for all aspects of her life.?

I’ve become afraid when I meet someone for the first time in a while, that this weight will barge in, and I tell myself not to mention it.??Inevitably I do, because it is such a huge part of my life. I’m coming to a point right now where I can talk, reasonably briefly, to add context to where I am. Things aren’t getting better with Mum. They will only get worse. I am on a permanent salvage mission to capture little moments of joy, and on a tightrope of being present for her life, and being present in mine.?

I know there are so many of you out there in similar situations.?

Every person I speak to openly has someone they know who has a terminal illness, or for whom they are caring. Or perhaps have recently lost someone. Living with loss and grief is exhausting, but we all do it, and it's not going away.?

Throughout the last couple of years I've continued with fiction writing, and enjoy writing poetry. My novel is finished, but in need of a new draft. I’m determined to get it out there.?I recently qualified as a dance fitness instructor, with an ultimate aim to be able to bring dance to more people, also to care homes, and I hope, for mum.?I’m spending a lot more time with older ladies and building new relationships, which is hugely rewarding, with a bittersweet edge.??

Dancing and writing keep me sane, as do my friends, family, and husband.

But I also have this passion for communication, and helping others to do it well, that isn’t going anywhere. I have expertise I can share. I have work to do.?And I am really, really looking forward to it.

There. Broken the fourth wall.?