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Amy - The Tonic's avatar

So fascinating, Brianne! I think letting others bear witness to our health stories sometimes helps them feel less alone with their own story. That’s been my biggest takeaway from getting more and more honest in my newsletter. Are you thinking of writing more formally about your own odyssey?

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Brianne Alcala's avatar

Thanks, Amy! I agree 100% — the power of stories to make us feel less alone is amazing. I feel the same, when I read other people's stories, and I'm so grateful that you and so many others who are willing to share. Even as I feel the benefit to myself as a reader and see the benefits writers get, I often am still uncertain of how much to share myself. I wish I felt braver about it. The value of privacy is real, and you can't usually unwind that decision. Such a tension!

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Amy - The Tonic's avatar

I definitely think it has to feel right to you! Privacy levels are such personal decisions. I’ve always been kind of an open book, and long COVID kind of blew the door even further off its dangling hinges, lol.

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