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As bloggers, we have a propensity toward sharing some of the most private moments of our personal history. But it’s a fine line to walk – how much do you share, and how? Today, 2012 BBC Speaker Robin Farr shares her tips on striking the right balance.
How to Blog Honestly Without Losing Your Dignity
“Authenticity” is practically a buzzword in blogging, but there’s a reason: it works. It works because your readers are people and people like to read about other people, not other people pretending to be something they’re not.
Most of us – though not all, to be sure – are authentic on our blogs. But there’s authentic and then there’s honest. Really honest. What would it take for you to be really honest?
I’ll start by telling you my most honest post – which I never, ever thought I’d write – was about my experience with postpartum depression and rage and how one day I got so mad I actually slapped my baby. (And I will fully admit that mentioning it again here makes me incredibly nervous even though I got a lot of support after my post.)
We all have something we’re afraid of sharing. Some people write it and then don’t publish it, which is cathartic, but what if you did?
Don’t hyperventilate. Let’s talk about how to be comfortable sharing personal stuff.
Define your boundaries
Some bloggers publish posts about things others can’t imagine sharing – marital problems, miscarriages, mental health issues – while for others the line is much closer to home (with curtains closed, thank you very much). It doesn’t matter. What matters is that you are comfortable with what you choose to publish.
Do it because you want to, not for validation
If you’re comfortable writing about something sensitive, you should be fine (even if you’re nervous). If you’re looking for validation from others, you’re probably not ready.
Don’t just barf it out there
I’m the queen of writing something emotional, reading it through for typos, and then publishing it. Sometimes that’s the only way I can do it. There are ways to increase your comfort level, though, such as:
- Starting small. Work up to the brutally honest stuff or write it in pieces.
- Sharing it on someone else’s blog as a guest post, which, for many, feels a lot less vulnerable.
- Writing the post and then coming back to it later to see how it sits with you.
- Asking for backup. Several bloggers I know have told others they’re writing a sensitive post. If you do that those people can then back you up with supportive comments once you’ve posted it.
Publication is Power
There are lots of examples of bloggers publishing something hard to share and feeling better for it. Here are two that stand out for me:
- Cristi from Motherhood Unadorned on how she doesn’t think suicide is selfish. That post sparked great dialogue and got syndicated on BlogHer to boot.
- Yuliya from She Suggests recently posted about suffering from depression – a very hard thing to admit, but now she has some extra support and she’s helping others as well.
My experience has been equally positive. In addition to overwhelming support for the post I mentioned in the intro, I also wrote about another aspect of PPD and submitted it for publication. It was accepted and now appears in Welcome to My World along with other bloggers’ stories about being a working vs. stay-at-home mom. (I also had another piece published in a book about depression. See? Honesty pays!)
Whatever your big secret is, I guarantee someone else will have been through something similar, and if you choose to share it you’ll be helping both of you.
Have you shared any really personal stories? (If so, leave me a link in the comments!) If not, maybe it’s time to cross the bridge and step into the light.
Looking For More On Writing?
If you are looking for more inspiration on how to stay motivated both in blogging and in life, then you do not want to miss these posts:
- How to Write a Blog Post in 15 Minutes or Less
- Hanging Onto Your Blogging Mojo
- 4 Ways to Find and Keep Your Motivation
- 10 Blogging Pitfalls You Should Avoid
- Who Are You Writing For?
About The Author
Robin Farr is a writer, wife, communications professional, speaker and mom. She experienced undiagnosed postpartum depression after her son was born in 2008 and started her blog, Farewell, Stranger, as a way of writing herself out of it. In doing so she discovered strength in brutal honesty and the power of community.
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Bernice, you’re another one who does this well. Maybe it’s a little easier (relatively speaking) when it’s an ongoing theme on your blog, but I think you’re right about the balance. Figuring out how to live well with an issue, whatever it is, really adds a positive element and is especially helpful for others.
My blog is all about baring my soul and sharing my battle with depression, anxiety, stress, and burnout. I do it so that others can see that they are not alone. I also share what has helped me to find more balance and more peace in my life, as well as what seems to make things worse. I have always gotten good feedback, with support and thanks for sharing and bringing these mental health issues into the light. One of my more recent posts was Living and thriving with depression.
I do agree one has to be careful about how they go about this. And if their writing includes others in the their family, they need to get permission to share.
Bernice
Very well said! I especially think the “Don’t just barf it out there” is an important part of openly sharing our experiences…I believe barfing should be reserved for best friends and/or therapists 🙂
I kept layering ‘stuff’ on top of my silence for so many years; I forgot what is was like to be me…I never lived in the moment because my secrets tied me to my past! And, those secrets kept getting bigger and bigger (in my head) but the pain was so overwhelming. I simply could not find the words and did a lot of ‘barfing’ in the beginning. I eventually reached a point where I was able to put words together to form a sentence that described how I felt. Its worth it!
I blogged about PPD http://mommetime.me/2011/12/good-grief-charlie-brown/
Thank you for sharing.
I think that’s totally common – to barf a bunch especially when you’re first starting to let it out. I certainly have barfed my feelings on my blog, but not typically with a new issue. Off to read your post!
Love that you’re encouraging bloggers to be authentic and honest while at the same time putting thought into it (as opposed to emotional vomit posts that they’ll later regret). I’ve probably written several that I could link up here, but one of the more important ones I wrote was about the potential of our unborn son to have Down Syndrome: http://themommyhoodmemos.com/2011/06/half-full-and-hopeful/ I’m so glad I wrote it – for so many reasons.
Oh, tough topic. I can imagine how hard that would be to write – with you so full of worry and so much potential for people to criticize your feelings about it. Glad you did, and glad you are glad too.
Recently I started affiliate marketing and it’s really not that big of a deal; until they call / email asking why you’re not promoting their products more. Asking you to promote a 60” flat screen television on your photography blog. Asking you to promote a $2000 camera lens in a down economy to a group of amateur photographers who are looking to spend less than $200.
I have to laugh, because I want to make money, I want my blogs to make me rich, but I want an audience even more and I know that the only way I can be successful is to remember who helped me get where I am today and to continue to write for them. So I look for camera giveaways, fantastic deals, and fun photography challenges. And I post the occasional funny too.
First of all — on an unrelated note — that photo is breathtaking.
Secondly, it takes real courage to write honestly and from the heart. I admire and trust the bloggers who do. It makes a blog more real, more raw, and it makes the author feel more like a friend.
That said, you have to brace yourself for the occasional mean comment. Sometimes people – under the veil of anonymity – say things that sting.
I wrote a personal post about my struggle with being a step-mom. It’s the hardest job I’ve ever had. The support I got from it was great. It’s still hard for me to go back and read it and sometimes I wonder if I said a little too much. I have great step-kids but my gosh, it’s really hard. It’s easy to feel really alone as a step-mom.
http://www.roubinek.net/2011/10/07/on-my-heart/
I love reading blog posts that are real and raw. Those are the ones I can really connect with.
I liked your post and agree on some points. I think we have to be careful of our voice on Facebook and on our blogs. I don’t think the world was ready for the voice it now has. We blast opinions without the responsibility or the accountability that comes from Relationships. Our filters shut down and we just write zinger after zinger with no regard for who it hurts. Let’s do Social Media like Jesus would. Speak truth. But speak it with love.
I found blogging to be so much more cathartic than journaling because it goes out in to the world and may connect with someone (hopefully) instead of just sitting in a notebook. I tread lightly, but I do talk about my experiences with PCOS and with eating disorders. Great article, lots to think about.
I have written about many difficult things: marital problems, self-injurious behavior, sexual abuse, mental health issues, emotional abuse and control. I wrote about a few of them on my main blog and then decided they needed their own space. I created a seperate blog, http://thedifficultthings.blogspot.com/ , just for this purpose.
I believe in telling our stories. That way, our experiences can benefit others. We take back the power and use it in a positive way instead of getting lost in them. Telling our stories helps keep them from controlling us. It gets the toxins out of our systems. It helps others not feel shame. And that’s the best reason of all to share.
Please let me add, I don’t believe in sharing before we’re ready. I don’t publish anything that I would be devestated to have my family or friends know. I publish things that I would rather not get into with them, but I will face the music if it comes to it. I’ve gone through a lot of therapy and experiences that have helped me understand the right and wrong ways to share. And I am very honest in person, so those who know me have learned that I will discuss just about anything. I do not force discussion, but I welcome it when it is wanted.
I offer others the opportunity to share their stories anonymously on my site. There is catharsis and strength from sharing even without your name.
And people who are still struggling with their stories, who wish they could talk about it, gain so much from reading. There is so much power in knowing you are not alone.
Congratulations on being over here at SITS Robin!
I’m so proud of you for using your experiences and your voice to help others.
You have helped me with my journey and continue to do so.
You are going places my friend!
Wonderful post, Robin and a great reminder of your courage. I must admit that the idea of my family reading my blog does hold me back. I wish I could share more since I truly believe in the power of sharing stories.
However, I do believe in publishing under pseudonyms. I am honored to have helped a number of women share their stories anonymously. I know that if their identities had been revealed, the stories would have remained untold. Perhaps it doesn’t make the stories quite as powerful but, I believe, they remain as important.
I think the most important point is to do what’s comfortable for you. Honesty isn’t going to “pay off” for someone who puts something personal out there just because everyone else is doing it. In fact, anyone putting very personal stuff out there better be prepared to have it bite them in the you-know-what. You don’t ALWAYS get positive feedback and any blogger who decides to post something incredibly personal without being prepared for the possible fall-out is setting themselves up for disappointment or worse. Just a caution!
I’m so glad you wrote this post. I really try to be authentic in everything I write, and I find my best posts are the ones that flow straight from my heart. I have shared serveral posts about PPD, my latest one is about how I’m terrified to go off my meds…
It’s true that support is key. I have found some new blogger friends too that have become very supportive. It’s nice to have that.
Thanks again. 🙂
Thank you! I have not been blogging lately because I didn’t want to sound winey. I write a little bit about the abuse I survived as a child. They are “stickied” as a top post.
http://Www.crazyladyx5.com
I always admire the brave bloggers!!
I’m fairly new to blogging but have found it to be highly cathartic. It seems to me that the “line” is different for different issues. I feel willing to be open about my mother’s schizophrenia and how that has affected my other mothering http://wp.me/p1Mopi-33 and my pregnancy complications http://wp.me/p1Mopi-fF. I was more apprehensive to discuss my relationship with my extremely right-wing Tea Party in-laws http://wp.me/p1Mopi-gy. There are definitely topics that are beyond my comfort zone, like my relationship with my husband, or blogging about work (cardinal rule #1, no?).
Thanks for writing this and helping me to re-evaluate my comfort level on different topics and why these apprehensions might exist. IRL repercussions are a big consideration!
Great post and a question I’m always asking myself too. As an ’empty nester’ of a certain age, I sometimes feel it’s inappropriate to be too personal on my blog, especially as I come from an era when people really didn’t share much personal stuff at all – unless over a cup of coffee with their best friend or Mum. And also, I’m always wondering, ‘will my grown up children be embarrassed by what I write?’
But then as you say, the closer to the grain you get the more people (generally) want to read. Reality TV probably paved the way for this and I think back to the early days of Big Brother and how ground breaking that seemed at the time.
But I think with blogging we should carefully consider the boundaries of our feelings, what we are willing to divulge without wanting to retract it the next day (after all once it’s out there it’s out there), and more importantly who else our writing might impact in the telling. But of course we shouldn’t lose our individual ‘voice’.
I’m still struggling with this, but have begun testing the water on my blog, in a separate category called, “Not a mid-life crisis.”
All power though to all of you out there who have the courage to lay your souls bare, and in doing so help others.
Well said, my friend…so many bloggers try to be everything that they shouldn’t after they get going. And I miss the voice that I fell in love with in the first place.
Me too. That happened with one of the big bloggers. I still read, but very infrequently. It’s just different now.
I write about issues surrounding being a survivor of childhood sexual abuse, so that is pretty personal. I have found a huge amount of support and healing through those posts. It has helped me grow so much.
One of my scarier blog posts to hit publish on was when I shared that I grew up with a parent who is a hoarder. http://www.fromtracie.com/2011/08/dirty-secret-why-old-catalogues-scare.html
I have a good idea of what my boundaries are (big rule for me – no stories about my husband and my sex life) before I sit down to write, so even when I’m nervous about what the reaction will be, I’m at peace that I’m sharing it.
Tracie, you’re a great example of how to do this well, appropriately, and comfortably. And a perfect example of how sharing can help others.
Thank you so much, Robin. It means a lot to me to read that today!
A great post & I am more like the other Jodi here except I am with a “y”. It does scare me to get too honest in terms of super personal things or things that I may not want family members to know… I am working on that boundary thing & what works best for me. It is scary to put it all out there!
Sorting out your own boundaries is the key. You might share much less than someone else but still put yourself out there a little bit – totally okay!
@FarewellStrangr Yes I’m totally for sharing things like ” Matilda has colic I’m loosing my mind, holy cow why is teething so hard, I had a rough day. But I just don’t think : My husband is cheating on me, I want to kill myself, I just don’t think those things should be blasted on the internet. If your husband is cheating you don’t have time to blog it go to a therapist and go to your husband because your marriage may end. If you want to kill yourself please for the love of GOD get help and don’t blog about it.
Like I said it’s just my opinion and I think everyone is entitled to it . ( that’s a joke)
But it’s like the news. When its on and they say the economy is awful house prices are dropping we’re all broke, I just think ” Ok I”m turning you off”. If I meditate on everything bad it won’t be long until I am down in the crapper ( for lack of a better term).
So for me and what I’ve tried to do with my fairly new blog is build a community of strong women. Where we say hey my child is driving me nuts but I can handle it. ” My business had a bump but I’ll be rock’n it tomorrow.” ” I’m a mom I can grocery shop, cook dinner, run my business, have an amazing marriage, and blog about it all ”
But agree with me or not the best part about our awesome blogging world is that we can each choose our theme. From ” I will tell you about my sex life, I’ll share every detail of my husband and how he ignores me, I will show you every success my business had, I’ll take beautiful pictures for you to enjoy” I’m always up, I’m always down, I’m 50/50.
Whatever we want to discuss we can and it’s up to the crowd of awesome women to decide where they choose to spend their time. And whatever they choose is alright by me. ( not that they needed my permission LOL)
Bingo. You nailed it.
This is very hard to me. I mean, I think I’m honest. I think I’m real. But the things that probably most need to be said are the things that I am the least willing to say. (And, umm, isn’t the subtitle of my blog “and other things mommy doesn’t want to admit”?) But honesty isn’t just found in our darkest places. Sometimes the mundane, the everyday has the most truth and beauty in it and is the place where we can really connect. I need to remember that.
I think so too. Honest doesn’t have to be the really big stuff – it can be “that was hard for me”.
Really great tips. I’ve been scared to post a few things that were weighing on my heart lately.
In 2010 I shared a series about Living with Rheumatoid Arthritis. I opened up about my diagnosis, the fear and pain the disease cause and the decisions that have to be made when you start having babies and have RA. http://stephaniesmommybrain.blogspot.com/2009/11/living-with-rheumatoid-arthritis.html
I’ve also written several posts about the miscarriage I experienced in 2007. http://stephaniesmommybrain.blogspot.com/2007/11/sometimes-its-not-easy-being-green.html
Your honesty has really been encouraging for me. I am one of those who doesn’t talk about the hard stuff on my blog. I think there’s only been one post where I was really honest about how hard motherhood was for me. I think I keep some of the icky stuff inside b/c writing it makes it so real and I don’t always want to go there. But I will tell you that your bravery has had me contemplating sharing some of that stuff.
Oh, Robin: this is the very thing that saves me on a daily basis.
The honesty, the want to help others, the reaching out to connect.
It feeds me, just like being the mother to my 3 children does.
Excellent post.
http://hiddenartofhomemaking.blogspot.com/2010/09/divorce-is-final.html
I enjoyed your post..I try to be honest and real on my blog…I find that people make many more comments to me especially via facebook when I write about something personal….I vacillate between writing about deep things and just ‘pretty’ blogs about my house, etc…I would like to write a lot more about personal experiences so your post has encouraged me…maybe I will do more of that kind of writing….
Mona
There are definitely things I struggle with in terms of what to include/not to include on my blog… but I have always tried to be as honest with myself and my readers as possible. This is a great post though and I think that when you write from an honest place, you’ll always attract readers in a completely different way.
This is perhaps my most scandalous post… and what’s funny? I now have a bf who read the ENTIRE BLOG. I’m talking top to bottom… so i’m guessing my secret is out :p HA!
http://mypixieblog.com/2010/10/07/the-post-i-hope-my-parents-never-read/
I consider myself a pretty honest blogger…..I’m just comfortable with it, as long as people I know don’t read my blog. No one in my family, and none of my friends know about my blog and the things I post (about them) there.
My blog shows who I am, who I am not, and who I wanna be….and it took my quite a long time to get there and to be comfortable with talking about my most inner thoughts and fears. It’s been a development but I guess being a mental patient with lots of therapy experience made a lot easier for me because you learn to put thoughts into words.
I pretty much stick to the first rule and have set my boundaries in pretty closely. A lot of extended family and friends read my blog and I don’t want to offend or embarrass anyone in my life for the sake of a good story. Plus, I decided long ago that my blog would be a light extension of me and my life. Although I discuss a few difficult issues I very rarely try to evoke conversation among my readers. Don’t get me wrong, I love getting comments and I enjoy making my readers laugh or see something in a new light, but I’m not really interested in rocking the boat too much. My blog is honest (honestly it is), and it gives me a good outlet to write but, for now, I don’t use it as a tell-all blog. Maybe I will someday, especially if I’m feeling inspired and the time is right. But, for those of you who DO write about personal issues….THANK YOU!
I think honesty needs to fall in line with the mission statement of your blog. That mission statement is a tremendous filter.
Love this post. Honest and raw. That’s what I love to read, maybe I should open my curtains a little further.
I’m probably the odd ball out here because I don’t completely agree. I don’t think that you need to share something personal via your blog to be free. True it can help others and if that is the sole purpose than I suppose it’s good.
But sometimes people do it just to gain popularity and I think that is …..well I just don’t think that’s very good.
I also think we live in a total and complete world filled with voyeurs. So I don’t know if fueling that is always the best. I also think that as mom bloggers if we don’t have our best friend to talk to or a husband to listen to us ( sometimes they’re not the best listeners) Then we feel like ” fine I’ll tell the world” Like I said not sure I agree. But to each their own.
Thanks [email protected] You’re not alone. Being helpful to others and being honest in your writing has such a deep and broad meaning. Thanks for sharing!
Lisa, I don’t actually disagree with you. If people are doing it just to hook others, that’s lame. But I think, like any relationship, sharing a bit of who we are helps connect us to others. That doesn’t have to be all the family secrets, but even sharing a small struggle or a bad day can make others relate to you.
But yes, I totally agree that we shouldn’t just be blogging because no one else will listen. Hence the “don’t barf it out there” advice. 😉
I’ve delved into several personal topics from my daughter who was born when I was 19 to my own battles with depression to my now concerns about not getting pregnant (and not diagnosed as infertile). I like people to know I am human and flawed.
Depression/anxiety: http://www.coffeepotchronicles.com/2011/03/medicated-and-strangely-somewhat-normal/
Concerns with not getting pregnant: http://www.coffeepotchronicles.com/2011/07/sparring-with-mother-nature/
Sadly though, there are some who will use it to their advantage and attempt to make you feel guilty and wrong but you have to realize the problem lies with them, not you. It takes guts and courage to post personal feelings and experiences. I applaud any blogger who does it.
I like your blog, Kim. You do a great job of being honest and keeping it real. Will go and read those two posts in particular.
i try to be as honest as I can but I definitely edit myself for two basic reasons – I dont want a future employer not hiring me over a post that would embarass them and embarass my daughter too much (although my breathing will probably embarrass her.
Ha, yes – there’s only so much we can do to avoid embarrassing our kids 😉
I absolutely love this post, because it is so true. I am the writer behind the blog I Look Good Today. I’m a physically disabled woman who shares her love for everything girly. My blog however is not all about my latest interests in fashion, makeup, recipes and home decor. I have a themed post called “From Where I Sit.” These posts allow my followers to ask me questions about living with a disability. Those hard to ask questions that you would probably never ask in person. I’ve been asked everything from “How do you have sex?” to “How to you use the restroom?” . . .and everything in between. I think those however are some of my favorite posts because you really get to know me. I hope you will visit me at http://ilookgoodtoday.com!
XOXO,
Jamie
What a great thing, Jamie. I’m coming to visit.
Hi Robin. I’m glad you came by, and thank you for your comment! I do hope you will become a follower! I have signed up on your blog through Google Friend Connect 🙂 Hope you’ll visit again!
XOXO,
Jamie
Hi Robin. Thanks for stopping by and leaving your comment! I do hope you’ll visit again! I just signed up through Google Friend Connect to follow yours. I love it! Hope you’ll follow me too!
XOXO,
Jamie
Great tips! My blog is all about design so it’s easy to not be too personal in there, no one wants to hear that they want to see design pics, ha!
Yay for your day here at SITS!
Thanks Pamela 🙂
The more nervous I am to publish a post, the more responses it usually gets! If I can use my pain to help someone else, it almost makes it all seem worth it. After all, isn’t helping each other what blogging is all about?
Yep, all that. Exactly that. 🙂
I’ve always been a private person, so getting too personal on my blog is an issue for me. I have written about things that are personal, but I do have a line. Who knows… one day I may write about something that I never thought I would.
You just might. And if you don’t, that’s okay too.
I agree that it’s important to know what your boundaries are, but sometimes you learn that what you thought were good boundaries need some readjustment. And, sadly, you learn this by being vulnerable, and getting burned in the process.
I want to be authentic in all that I say and do. But that doesn’t mean I trust the world with ALL that is within me. Frankly, some of what’s going on with me is none of the internet’s business.
These are boundaries that work for me.
Good post.
Oh, absolutely. I’ve got a whopper of a situation going on right now but it’s not something I can (or likely ever will) write about. You have to know your boundaries, for sure.
And yes, sadly we do sometimes get burned. But I think we also have to be aware of how much other people’s reactions matter. Sometimes not as much as being honest and getting the support we do get.
This topic has been on my mind a lot lately – how much to share? I recently wrote a post abt it. …Honesty and openness have not been a problem for me on my blog – I’ve shared my most personal struggles on my blog, it’s my release and the support I get really helps. I feel you connect more when you’re just totally out there and honest about everything.
My attempted suicide http://insideoutrightsideup.wordpress.com/2011/06/08/suicide-–-the-reset-button-in-life/
My mother’s mental illness http://insideoutrightsideup.wordpress.com/2011/08/23/and-i-cried/
Wow, how incredibly brave Tomehka. Just going to read your posts.
🙂 Thank you
I struggled with this… the balance between being totally open and honest and my fear of doing just that. I wrote about it a long time ago and got the greatest support from readers. I should have expected that:) http://waistingtimeblog.com/2010/11/10/today-my-glass-is-full-of-candor/
I just love that so many people get such great support when posting about personal things. Off to read your post!
I love to read honest posts. I try to avoid being honest in my posts in a way that might malign family that would really be hurt by my words.
Another really great point. I would love to vent about certain things, but never would because of the people in question.
Well said. From time to time I visit a blog for the first time and am overwhelmed by the author’s “oversharing” of private details. It is one thing to bare your soul. It is quite another to bare your behind. I think there is a bottomless sea of support for thoughtful acknowledgement of REAL experiences. I hate the feeling of needing to avert my gaze because the writer is using their blog as a toilet.
I am glad Robin shared today, and I’m looking forward to reading more.
Oh, that’s the best line ever: “It is one thing to bare your soul. It is quite another to bare your behind.” That’s exactly it. Oversharing is just awkward and while I’m sure most of us do it a tiny bit from time to time, the people who just do the woe-is-me thing and tell you EVERY little thing that happens are a bit much. I don’t often read when someone is like that on her blog.
I struggle with how much I want to say on my blog, as I know I have some friends and family silently lurking, and I’m not sure I’m ready for them to know some truths. I’ve dipped my toes in a few topics which I didn’t think I’d write, but I’m not sure how far I’ll go.
I applaud your honesty, Robin and I know how wonderful it was for you to be able to express those thoughts/ feelings, and how many people you helped. Keep at it!
Thanks Alison! And I know that’s tough. It’s different when you start a blog about your day-to-day stuff and then realize people are reading. It does sort of put a damper on it. I didn’t really have that issue because of the way mine started, but I do of course still have stuff I hold back. Not that you’d know it. 😉
Great post, Robin. I appreciate your perspective on the dos and don’ts. I’ve had my share of “glad I did that” to “what was I thinking.” I’ve decide that I can remain authentic and transparent when I share the struggle without too many details in a current situation, or wait until the emotion has passed and a better perspective is in sight before I go into the nitty gritty.
Cheers,
Lisa
Such a great point, Lisa. I’m notorious for reacting in the moment and I’ve had to really temper that with my blog. It’s often a much better post and much more cathartic for me if I can get past the emotion and write about it more rationally.
Honest posts are really what connects bloggers. I could read a million blogs with posts about their adorable children and how wonderful motherhood is and never think about it again. But the REAL posts, like yours on postpartum depression, it sticks. It makes you think. It makes you feel like that person is a real person with feelings, and not just some perfect image of a person. I don’t dig down incredibly deep in my blog very often, but I do get into it a little every now and then. It’s hard to admit the personal things when so many friends have access to my blog, and I don’t need my secrets to get into the wrong hands, not that they’re that bad :p
I totally know what you mean. I started my blog specifically to write about something really personal, and I didn’t really think about what that would mean when people I know read it. I started sharing the link slowly and now, after nearly a year, I’m pretty much totally open about it. And I can’t tell you what a relief that is.
Hi Robin My first time here but I love this post. I totally *get* it. Here’s my really personal story (http://www.lifeonplanetbaby.com/2010/11/my-life-with-3-children-under-5-and.html). I’ve been amazed at the response to it. Time for an update now! J x
Jane, I have a soft spot for people who post about PPD (or PND). It’s such an incredibly personal thing but we need so much more awareness about it. Thanks for sharing!