Weighing The Benefits Of Using Social Media
DEAR HARRIETTE: I am struggling with social media. I am making a career pivot, so it is a beautiful time for me as I make new discoveries and explore new skills, but it is also a scary and intimidating chapter. Social media has its pros and cons for this season that I'm in, and I'm trying to decide whether the good outweighs the bad. On one hand, posting about my work, passions and projects helps me meet and interact with people who are also breaking into my industry as well as seasoned professionals. On the other hand, I find myself making a lot of comparisons. It causes me to second-guess myself, my talent, my progress, my path, my belongings and more. I am grappling with whether this vast network -- which could lead to continued work and learning opportunities -- is more important than my mental health. Is there something I can do to continue utilizing social media as a tool without compromising my self-worth? -- Social Media
DEAR SOCIAL MEDIA: Think of social media as a tool, not a crutch. Use it to share good news about your career and personal life as you see fit. Compare yourself to yourself rather than to others. Think about your goals, and curate your content to match those goals.
Consider hiring someone to help you with your social media strategy. You may even find a company or individual who can post for you. That will help to take you away from the day-to-day, which can make it easier to avoid the comparisons.
DEAR HARRIETTE: "First Time" -- your reader who wants someone to talk to about taking the next step with her boyfriend -- needs an old crone in her life. After my sons were grown and out of the house, the young ladies next door and their friends used to come over and pester me with questions that I gladly answered. We had some wonderful gatherings where I told them things that their parents never had -- or things that they didn't feel they could ever even ask their parents. Every person who is an adult but not yet elderly needs a crone in their lives. Not only have we been there, done that (or at least known people who have), but we have no cares left to give about propriety, and we will not turn away from any subject due to discomfort. -- Kat From Kansas City
DEAR KAT FROM KANSAS CITY: I love your sentiment. I also had to go to the dictionary to learn the meaning of "crone." For those who don't know, it used to mean an old woman, but is more commonly known today as a wise, post-menopausal woman venerated for her lifetime of experience, judgment and knowledge. Kat, I say YES to the crone. We wise women have a lot to offer others.
It's funny. In many cultures, it was understood that the older women in the community were to be heralded for their wisdom. People regularly came and sat at their feet to learn and to process whatever was going on in their lives. This is a practice that would be great to revive. Thanks for the reminder.
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(Harriette Cole is a lifestylist and founder of DREAMLEAPERS, an initiative to help people access and activate their dreams. You can send questions toaskharriette@harriettecole.com or c/o Andrews McMeel Syndication, 1130 Walnut St., Kansas City, MO 64106.)
Copyright 2026, Harriette Cole
COPYRIGHT 2026 Andrews McMeel Syndication. This feature may not be reproduced or distributed electronically, in print or otherwise without the written permission of Andrews McMeel Syndication.
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