Have a Dilemma? Seek Advice From Strangers! Here’s Why It Works! by Erin Basford

Have you ever experienced one of those pebbles in the road of life that you just can’t seem to navigate past? Perhaps it’s a dating dilemma too embarrassing to share with your bestie or a parenting blunder that your own mother would disown you for even speaking of! Sometimes we just want someone to tell us that we’re perfectly normal without being too judgy.

As I was recovering from my 11-year-old’s recent verbal tongue lashing, I wondered what I could have possibly done to him that would cause so much anger and resentment towards me. I couldn’t seek wisdom and insight from my own mother because she had passed nearly 10 years ago. So, I gathered up my courage and asked that very question in a social media group that I manage for over 250 women. 

As I prepared myself for multiple unpleasant comments, the exact opposite happened! The women in the forum – some friends, some strangers – began to respond with empathy and understanding. These women made me feel understood and, more importantly, normal!

The biggest lesson I learned from this experience is that while we may seek guidance from our closest friends and family members, because we feel we may be judged, it can make it difficult to be truly forthcoming. In some cases, complete strangers can be the most objective, simply because they have no emotional attachment to us and can give us honest feedback.