My blogging buddy Tracy over at The Star Shine Report asked an interesting question today about how "we" decide what we will write about, what is appropriate for our readers, what we want to share about ourselves (political views, etc.).
This is something that I started a post about a few weeks ago but never posted, because it is something that I've been battling with. Do I write for me or those few that might read this?
I started my blog for me. To put my story out there and maybe it will speak to someone else and they might comment or be touched, or feel a sense of not being alone. I also started it as a stress reliever, as a way to get it out. A couple of friends had started blogs, and I had already been reading a few regularly and I loved the feeling of community. I always wanted to keep a journal but never kept it up and the pressure that someone else out there might read it became incentive to write everyday. Plus... I have this personal need for feedback. It's a weakness and one that has become ever taxing.
I admit that through my day I have thoughts of, "That'll make a great topic to post about!". Or "I need to take a picture of THAT for my blog". And then by the time I get to the computer, the passion has waned. I also feel self-conscience in my writing, and feel that I'm whining too much, and that no one will be interested. But then I think back to why I started this thing and wonder why I feel the need to impress, to be liked, and to get comments.
So Tracy, to answer your question. Sometimes I write for me and whatever is going on in my head and heart regardless of my few readers, and sometimes I filter my thoughts or don't post at all. I used to say that I don't talk to anyone about politics or religion because very little good comes of it. In the last few years I have realized that I didn't talk to anyone about it, because I wasn't sure about my own feelings. Now I am fascinated by both, but only rarely do I talk about it and usually its in a very comfortable forum with those that share the same feelings. I still have that awkward pre-teen in me that just wants to be liked and not rock any boats.
5 comments:
Thanks for sharing your thoughts about this, Cherry. I really appreciate them. I can identify with what you said about not wanting to rock the boat. I wonder, though, if by not rocking the boat I'm not giving myself the opportunity to be my true self. The longer I live, the more I'm realizing how important it is to find my voice and to express it in healthy ways. As with most things, balance is important, and I'm just trying to figure out where my boundaries are to strike the right balance for me.
Funny enough, as much as I don't like to rock the boat, some of my favorite blogs to read are written by those who aren't afraid to express a strong opinion (Dooce, case in point). I don't agree with her every opinion, but I have a lot of respect for her because of what she has shared with the world on her blog.
I think we all have an awkward pre-teen in us. Mine has a bad short haircut with buck teeth. Nice. I think it's fine to write about your own thoughts, feelings, and opinions. I would say it's all in the way your present them. I like reading all of Tracy's blog buddies' entries regardless of views and opinions. My grandmother used to always say, "right or wrong, have an opinion." This is your blog, feel free to share it.
I've been deciding about this blog phenomonon as well...there are things I don't write about because it might hurt someone's feelings, or it would make me uncomfortable to know that x or y person read my post, or because really, it's none of my business, and I should leave it alone.
But also, as you know, the thoughts tend to spill onto the page, and I do really enjoy this creative outlet that we have discovered.
I'm glad you're becoming a bit more comfortable with having opinions...and I think we all have that teenager inside of us, afraid to speak and be ridiculed. :)
I've been deciding about this blog phenomonon as well...there are things I don't write about because it might hurt someone's feelings, or it would make me uncomfortable to know that x or y person read my post, or because really, it's none of my business, and I should leave it alone.
But also, as you know, the thoughts tend to spill onto the page, and I do really enjoy this creative outlet that we have discovered.
I'm glad you're becoming a bit more comfortable with having opinions...and I think we all have that teenager inside of us, afraid to speak and be ridiculed. :)
I have always had trouble expressing myself verbally. I become tongue tied and the wrong words spill out. When you blog about how you feel, I think we get to know the real you. But I know that sometimes I judge myself and think, gee if I write this, readers will think I am a insane, depressed, road raged, cynic. So this is something that is a dang if you do, dang if you don't situation.
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