Why my birthday post went viral

Anyone who follows me on any social platform knows this: I LOVE to celebrate a birthday. It’s partly a Gemini thing (if you know you know); partly something my family always modelled but mostly it’s because I truly understand just how much of a gift every year is. My mum died suddenly in a drowning accident at 51, when I was a 28-year-old new mum. I don’t wish this kind of perspective on anyone but it’s my perspective and has been a leading driver in never taking any birthday for granted. It’s why I’m like a dog with a bone about my health. And it’s why I (mostly) live with a glass half full attitude to life.

When I shared this video below, I did so hoping that it would resonate. Truth is, you never know how posts will land, where the algorithm will take them and who might engage with it.

Increasingly I’m on the receiving end of ageist comments and DMs that are sarcastic at best and abusive at worst. After almost 18 years online, and 20 years working as a journalist before that my skin is thick! These missives don’t hurt me, they just disappoint because in my experience they’re mostly coming from midlife women who are clearly unhappy with their own lives and would rather channel their time and energy into hate following people on social media rather than any form of self development.

When I woke up to almost 14,000 (and rising) new Instagram followers, 4000 new Facebook followers and about 1000 new TikTok followers, I was scared to open up the comments section. When something goes viral like this and lands outside the community you’ve cultivated over many years, it doesn’t always find “your people”. Imagine my surprise when the few ageist comments received were well and truly outnumbered by women of all ages who are very much my people.

Paid subscribers, keep reading to find out why I think this post resonated with so many women.