This is my first post on Friendica. I imagine like most people have learned so much about how Facebook can be deliberately addictive, polarizing, strangely isolating, manipulative and invasive. Also like most people, I doubt any of my family and friends from that other world will join here. I believe in what Friendica is doing. I had briefly played around with Diaspora. I would love to host my own server but have a lot to learn and not enough time.

I've been looking for a platform that would have potential to bring a similar experience without the negatives. I've been following Rob Braxman on YouTube. I suppose even this social network wouldn't fit his strict privacy guidelines. I was the guy who overshared on Facebook quite often. Spilling my guts out over my inner most secrets. Each childhood trauma I worked through, chronic illness and healing, my forever renovation project at home, or my music. Just like that, I felt foolish and exposed. As if I had been standing naked in a stadium full of people that either looked down on me or didn't even see me at all due to the way things are silently squelched from the wall. Some wizard behind a curtain was holding the clothes I somehow willingly gave to him.

So I'll be brave and make this public. Saying hello and wishing all good health and happiness.