@40withkatie — 13x breakout

Loading video…

Isolated by choosing to be child free

@40withkatie

4.9K followers · usually 4.5K views a post

Views

51.6K

Likes

4.5K

Comments

469

Why it worked

The video resonated with viewers by addressing a common, often unspoken, feeling of isolation experienced by those who choose a different life path than their peers. The creator's vulnerability and relatable experience likely drove engagement and shares.

Summary

The creator, who is 42 and chose to be child-free, discusses the feelings of isolation and loneliness that can arise when her friends, who have children, are engrossed in conversations and life events she cannot relate to. She acknowledges that this is understandable given her friends' priorities but states that it still hurts to feel left out.

Structure

1Introduction of being child-free by choice
2Explanation of not wanting children but liking them
3Discussion of friends having children and her happiness for them
4Unexpected feelings of isolation and loneliness
5Inability to relate to friends' conversations about children
6Acknowledgement of friends' priorities and the pain of feeling left out

On-screen text

Isolated by choosing to be child free I'm child f I'm child free by choice. I'm 42. I don't have kids. Obviously, I don't want kids. And that's not to say I don't like kids. I do. I just. I never had that desi re, that urge, that need to have children of my own. But a lot of my friends have kids, and I'm happy for them. I am, really. But I wasn't prepared for how isolated and how lonely I would feel by being the only friend in the group who chose not to have children. Of course, I feel left out. All of my friends started having conversations about babies and birthing plans and things with kids, and I can't contribute to those conversations. I can't relate. I don't have that shared life experience. To be perfectly honest, it hurts when you are the only friend who's reaching out to check in or to try to set up plans. And I get it. I totally understand. Their children come first. Their family comes first. That's the way it should be. So while I understand, it still hurts. So I don't know if you are also a woman and feeling left out and alone because you made the choice to stay child free and the rest of your friends didn't, just know th

Original caption

Child free by choice can be really isolating, especially when you’re the only friend to make that decision. #childfreebychoice #childfreemillennial #childfreelife #childfreelife