15 Comments
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LC Frias's avatar

Way to protect yourself? Consider asking yourself if you would ask that person for their opinion. If not, there you have it... and blocking the comments... and forgetting about social media :) But, yes, the first usually works

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Jenna Satterthwaite's avatar

YES. That is the perfect way to frame it.

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Jackie M. Stebbins's avatar

Great piece, Jenna! You and your hubby should be very proud. And I’m so sorry about all the trolls, I can’t imagine an online crazy attacking my young child. You definitely made a case for the good, the bad, and the ugly of going viral.

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Jenna Satterthwaite's avatar

Thanks Jackie!!

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Sylvia Jimenez's avatar

Resilience and a thick skin in today’s world and to know that every step is making a difference, otherwise how will we get better right? 👊❤️

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Mata Haggis-Burridge's avatar

Great that you could protest ❤️ Good on your kid, too!

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Jennifer Fawcett's avatar

Jenna, wow. What an experience for your kids and you. I brought my son to a protest a few weeks ago and want to bring him to more. I don’t know if I knew when I was their age that people could raise their voices like this.

And 10000% on creating boundaries. The negative thought spiral that can hit if you read a bad review is NOT worth it.

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Jenna Satterthwaite's avatar

I'm just glad it was a GOOD experience. I hoped for that--but obviously couldn't control how my kids experienced it and processed it. I'm thrilled at how it turned out. =) Exceeded expectations.

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Mimi Hayes's avatar

I went quasi-viral when my TED talk came out and the comments were BRUTAL. I had to let myself have a dark night of the soul and read them all...until my friend reminded me that online hate was actually a sign I was succeeding. I'd reached outside of my immediate circle and I'd triggered something in people. I'd said something worth arguing over! I'd made it! Don't get me wrong, still hard to see. But I try to shift my perspective. Sometimes I'll comment back (if I have bandwidth) "Thanks so much for your love and support! Like and subscribe for more!" LOL. I also had to realize that the keyboard warriors in my comments had never done what I'd done, so why would I listen to them anyway? Now I spend more time responding to the positive comments than the negative ones :)

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Jenna Satterthwaite's avatar

I think the trial by fire is the way many of us learn--because we're forced to. Glad you've found the methods that work for you! And your response of 'yay I made it outside my circle"'VERY much reminds me of my approach to bad reviews on my books. Like, yay, it's not just my family reading it! ;)

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Mimi Hayes's avatar

I have to laugh because my bad book reviews are always from Ann/es who are 60+...never fails, if there is an Ann/e in her 60s she is going to HATE me 😂 Best one yet is "supposedly funny, but not." I'm going to put that on a t-shirt, hat, AND a tote bag!

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Jenna Satterthwaite's avatar

oh gosh. I guess you have a 'type' haha. Also that would make a most excellent T-shirt!

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Caroline Madden's avatar

This is too funny, Mimi! Thank you for making my laugh, my first book is just out in the world and turns out I am more thin-skinned than I thought!

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AmandaGW's avatar

I love the hide from everyone and block buttons. :)

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Jenna Satterthwaite's avatar

so choice 😂 (truly)

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