What Happens When You Tell the Truth Online

Finding cheerleaders along the way

When I was growing up on a mini-farm in Kentucky, a cow pond crept up to the very edge of our driveway when it rained. And when we didn’t have rain, the water was still close enough to throw a pebble and land somewhere close to the middle of the pond.

I threw hundreds of rocks into that pond over the years my family owned that property. Wherever a pebble landed in that water, it created a ripple. The ripple traveled to all sides of the pond – no matter how far away the side happened to be.

That ripple is what we, as people, create too, with every choice and every story we share.

I’ve been posting on Instagram about our move to Spain since 2023. Initially, it was an exploration, then it evolved into a plan, and ultimately, it became a reality.

I never cared about likes or comments. It was a way to document the journey – a journal I could revisit to remember everything it took to make this life change happen. I didn’t want to forget how badly I wanted it.

Somewhere along the way, I found cheerleaders. They were former coworkers, school friends, and family members. Acquaintances, neighbors, and lost friends. Close friends, our kids’ teachers, and online acquaintances. They sent notes of encouragement like, “I’m so excited for you!” and, “Wow! You’re really doing it!” They asked questions, such as, “Where are you thinking about moving in Spain?” and, “How are the kids handling this idea?”

And, finally, as our family has settled into life here, somehow we became the inspiration for others who want to do what we’ve done – or something like it.

For those who’ve reached out to ask how we did it, I want to be their cheerleaders.

You never know who’s watching, listening, or reading what you’re doing in life. As sure as you may be that no one cares, someone does. You could be setting the example for a person who doesn’t believe they can make any significant change in their own life – someone who needs to feel the hope that they can. Maybe it’s not moving abroad. Maybe it’s writing a book, taking that bucket-list trip, or quitting the analyst job to chase something that finally fits.

You don’t need to have a large social media following, fame, or even a wide circle of friends to make a difference in someone’s life. You just need to be authentic to yourself and those around you, be open to help when you can, and be the cheerleader you want for yourself.

Like the ripples on that old cow pond, our actions reach farther than we think.