The Effects I Feel from Likes and Comments on note

Until last year, I had absolutely no experience with pressing like buttons or writing comments on social media.

I would simply save posts or videos that left an impression on me to my favorites or bookmarks.

This year, I started using note and began leaving likes and comments.

The reason is that when I received a comment on one of my own posts, I was incredibly happy🙌

I realized it has such amazing power that it can even influence my mood for the day.

If someone's writing moves your heart, it might make them just as happy as it made you if you share that in a comment.

There are many kind people on note who like my comments or reply to them, and even though I was the one who sent out thoughts and gratitude, I end up feeling warm inside again🙏

Today, I would like to write about the effects of "likes" and "comments" on note as I see them.

[The Effects of Likes and Comments]

1. A Chain of Gratitude

Likes and comments are a simple expression of "gratitude" for finding something interesting, feeling empathy, or learning from someone else's experience.

Gratitude is likely born in the recipient as well. I feel that this acts as a catalyst, spreading a chain of likes and comments✨

2. Knowing the Value of Comments by Writing Them Yourself

You can't just write comments casually.
・Did I manage to put my feelings into words well?
・Is the phrasing rude?
・Is the expression free of potential misunderstandings?
Because I want to convey empathy and gratitude to the other person, I think carefully before writing. Knowing that effort makes me feel incredibly grateful when I receive a comment, knowing that someone read my post and took the time to write to me.

3. My Comment Might Be Encouraging Someone Else Too

I want to comment on a wonderful post... but no one else has written one. I don't have the courage to be the first to comment. If someone else has already commented, I feel a little more courageous. (Is it just me?)

So, if I comment, I must be encouraging someone else who is unable to take that first step. If that person can take action, the circle of gratitude expands even further.

Likes have a lower hurdle than comments, but even then, being the first one to like a post from someone you're meeting for the first time can take a little bit of courage.

When I click that first like, a speech bubble appears saying "🚩First like!" It makes me feel like I've gained something. It still makes my heart race, but I try to just go for it, hoping for a positive effect.

4. Happy Feelings Lead to New Actions

Last time, I wrote about how interacting with people produces oxytocin, and I feel that effect on note as well.

I feel a connection through likes and comments, and it warms my heart. To everyone who has come to visit even once, thank you so much🙏

I feel that when I'm in a good mood, it leads to changes in my actions. Because I'm in a good mood, I might think, 'Maybe I'll go for a walk,' or 'Maybe I'll eat something delicious tonight.'

Sometimes I get too carried away and end up crashing, but I think it's fine to just take it easy and repeat this process.

【While I'm happy to receive likes and comments, one-way is also fine】

As I wrote at the beginning, there are many kind people on note, so my impression is that many people return likes out of a feeling of 'I feel bad if I don't return the favor (law of reciprocity)' as well.

I enjoy various posts on note. I read and like posts from moms raising children, stories about the lifestyles of people in my age group, and posts from people who have had the same experiences.

Sometimes I become conscious of this law of reciprocity, and if the other person visits my post to return a like, because my posts are specialized in 'panic disorder,' I think, 'I'm sorry that my post probably won't be of any use to you...'

I have even refrained from liking posts because I preemptively imagined things and didn't want to make the other person feel obligated.

But I thought, this is a waste!

It happened when I went to South Korea to visit a friend a long time ago. That friend showed me so much hospitality.

'You've never been to a Korean home, right?' she said, inviting me to her parents' house, showing me around, and introducing me to her family. We had dinner together, and she gave me souvenirs.

The next day, she took me to an udon noodle shop that only locals go to. She even came to see me off in the city of Seoul and all the way to the airport.

Thanks to her, every single moment became such a wonderful memory that I can still immerse myself in it even now.

When I was returning home, I said I had to give something back, and she told me, 'Just be kind to someone else and pass the baton on.'

I had never been told anything like that before, and it was a shock to me in my 20s at the time—how wonderful it was.

By being told that, the feeling of 'I have to return the favor!' flew away, and I was able to switch my mindset comfortably to, 'Alright, I'm going to become wonderful like this too!'

By the way, I realized while writing this that I haven't shown this level of kindness to anyone since then. It's been 20 years, but I wonder if it's still not too late...

While researching for this post, I found out that this 'kindness baton' method is called 'paying it forward.' I'm sorry if this was common knowledge. I learned it for the first time.

Passing on the kindness you received to someone else. I thought I liked this form of it.

My posts might not be useful to others, but I decided I would keep pressing the like button with the hope that likes will continue to connect.

Likes connect to someone and circulate. I thought it was a peaceful world. I also think that might be why note is already such a warm place.

The other day, I saw a post from someone who said that an exchange in the comments led to a suspicious DM, and I was surprised that such things could happen.

While being careful about such things, I decided I want to continue giving likes and comments in a pay-it-forward style.

If there is anyone who has never given a like or comment before, I would love for you to join this circle of circulation and try liking or commenting on someone's post.

I think both the person giving and the person receiving will feel happy ☺️

I am tackling panic disorder from five different angles. I have written about it in detail in this article.

If you found this helpful or relatable, I would be happy if you could press the like button!