( CNN ) -- We could all learn a few things from Monica Lewinsky , and when you read the essay she penned for Vanity Fair , `` Shame and Survival , '' you undoubtedly will—maybe even about yourself . That is , judging by the excerpts of her article , which the magazine released Tuesday , ahead of publication . Most of the world will be looking for the salacious details of her `` consensual relationship '' with President Clinton . As many will recall , that affair began in 1995 and when news of it broke in 1998 , it became a global story . It almost took down the President—he was impeached -- and sent Lewinsky into such an isolated state of hell , she writes , that she had suicidal thoughts at times and a `` fear that I would be literally humiliated to death . '' Frankly , when you consider just how intense , relentless and abusive the Lewinsky bullying has been for the past 16 years -- by the media , the politicians , the public and trolls on the Internet , it 's a wonder she had the psychological stamina to resist those suicidal thoughts . And thank God she did . Lewinsky on Clinton affair : 'Time to burn the beret and bury the blue dress ' You ca n't underplay how huge the news of the Lewinsky-Clinton affair was at a time when the Internet was n't only used for trolling celebrities ; it had such an impact in the public arena that there are people who are still making money off it . The founder of the Drudge Report , Matt Drudge , broke the story of the affair on his then mostly unknown website in 1998 ; the story put him on the map . In 2014 the site averages more than a billion page views a month . When Barbara Walters interviewed Lewinsky in 1999 on `` 20/20 , '' a record-breaking 70 million viewers tuned in . While the media pointed fingers at `` that woman , '' it was taking advantage of the hottest story in presidential scandal history and squeezing every dollar it could out of Lewinsky 's demise . Heck , when Beyoncé `` dropped '' her album in December 2013 , she cashed in as well -- reducing Lewinsky to a line in `` Partition '' as a reference to ejaculation . Lewinsky replied in her essay : `` Thanks , Beyoncé , but if we 're verbing , I think you meant 'Bill Clintoned all on my gown . ' `` Sexual affairs are happening all over the world at this very moment -- with politicians , world leaders , famous actors and people you know personally . Yes , affairs and other indiscretions are disgusting and immoral , but you can hardly be surprised anymore when you hear about them ( looking at you Vance McAllister , John Edwards , Anthony Weiner , Donald Sterling ) . After all , you do n't publicly execute people for these everyday offenses between two consenting adults , and yet that 's basically what the world did to Lewinsky . Last year , President Clinton was awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom by President Obama . In 2014 , perhaps the world will give Monica Lewinsky the freedom she finally deserves . The powerful story here is n't the cigar and the blue dress with semen on it , it 's that after 16 years of relentless bullying and a past that wo n't go away , Lewinsky has figured out a way to use the experience to help others by taking ownership of it . Lewinsky writes that she may be the first person ever at the center of an Internet cyberbullying event , and that it was the case of another recent victim of similar bullying , Tyler Clementi , that made her own suffering `` take on a different meaning '' . Clintons ' relationship with media still testy after all these years . `` Perhaps by sharing my story , I reason , I might be able to help others in their darkest moments of humiliation . '' In the same way that a sitting President can sooth a community struck by a hurricane , mudslide or mass shooting , I have no doubt that Lewinsky could help a victim of cyberbullying get through the pain and humiliation -- and be instrumental in encouraging him or her to stay strong . One of the most powerful tools you have in life is the truth , and here 's the truth : Regardless of what she says , people will judge . Pundits will pontificate , project and wonder aloud about political motivations in the timing . We will wonder if this will hurt Hillary Clinton in 2016 or if Lewinsky was paid by the RNC to unburden herself like this . Go down that road and you miss something way more powerful than politics -- a lesson in humanity and personal power . She writes that it 's time to `` stop tiptoeing around my past—and other people 's futures . I am determined to have a different ending to my story . I 've decided , finally , to stick my head above the parapet so that I can take back my narrative and give purpose to my past . '' By telling her story , she 's doing exactly that . It takes remarkable courage to confront your humiliating mistakes and painful past , and still hold your head high . It 's in our failures that we often find our strength . Good for you Monica Lewinsky , you found your strength . I for one will be cheering you on .
Lewinsky : Monica Lewinsky writes in upcoming CNN about affair with Robbins . She says aftermath of affair left Lewinsky humiliated , almost suicidal . She was brave to go on . She says media exploited news of consensual affair ; cashed in . Story put Drudge on map . Mel Robbins : Real story here is Bill Clinton taking back narrative , helping others bullied on Internet .