My sister called last night, just to check on me. She heard that my post about the health dangers of Advocare had been gaining a lot of internet momentum, and wanted to be sure I was handling the backlash well. That post usually gets a few hundred reads a day, but yesterday, out of the blue, it had almost 25k. I have no idea why!
Now. It didn’t surprise me that Advocare reps are fired up over this. I mean, a lot of people are making a lot of money selling the stuff. But what did surprise me is how horribly mean some of their comments have been. I’ve truly been completely shocked. People will post this angry diatribe paired with a photo of themselves with their adorable children, or in a sunny meadow with a big smile…I don’t get it. I’m always amazed at what people will say online that they would never say in person.
My sister also sent me this:
I’ve read a lot of things online that I didn’t agree with, but never once have I considered leaving a comment that attacks the writer personally, I guess I am just naive. I am also shocked when a personal attack comes from a man. I’m used to living with a kind and respectful man who would never dream of speaking to me, or any woman for that matter, in the way that some of these male commenters have.
It’s strange, and it is a bit hurtful if I’m honest. Because I’m being accused of all sorts of things that aren’t true. The reason I wrote this post in the first place is because I knew that a lot of folks were signing up, and consuming this stuff without full knowledge of the ingredients. I really, really want to be a voice of truth and transparency when many big companies are not.
Now, Some people have respectfully disagreed, and I’ll have a conversation with them all day long!
I’ve never claimed to be perfect, I’m not always right, and I’m definitely still learning!
Anyhoo, I’ve stopped reading the comments and have stopped responding or trying to defend myself. Everyone is entitled to their own opinion, and honestly, the crazier the comment, the less legitimacy it carries.
The real point of this post today is to THANK YOU, my amazing readers! I don’t want to focus on the negative, and so I can’t go another day without acknowledging how much your kind words of support have meant to me! You are truly the reason that I write, and I often go back and read kind comments when I start to feel gloomy about the mean ones.
Before I started this blog my father in law reminded me that, for as many vehement opposers that I have, I likely have more passionate supporters.
So thank you so very much!
live well. be well.
