Friday, April 11, 2014

Keeping It Real





Blogging can be a tricky business. There is a fine line to walk of sharing enough, without posting your entire life's doings on the internet. What amounts as enough and what amounts as too much varies from person to person, I suppose.

Amongst keeping my life private, I also like to keep this space real. I don't want to create a fantasy life on the internet, where everything is always perfect or the hiccups are only minor. But at the same time, how do you keep it real whilst keeping it private?

Can you have an interesting blog whilst keeping most of your life private?
A lot of the most popular blogs that I know of are quite personalised. They tell you what they do, where they go and post photos of themselves and their family regularly. You know where they live, what their tastes are and what month (or day) their birthday is.
I do enjoy reading blogs like this, and whilst I want mine to remain interesting, I'm also very conscious of not sharing too much of my life here, for everyone and anyone to read, and that can sometimes be quite hindering.

Sometimes I wonder what drives me to blog, taking into consideration that in "real life" I'm quite reserved about my doings, until I know someone well, and I'm really not that into sharing my life on the internet. I don't use Facebook for social purposes - my profile is completely locked down and any information that wasn't required to fill out isn't; I'm not a huge Twitter fan and Instagram is basically a photographic version of Chantille Fleur. What drives you to blog, do you think? And do you ever have moments when you feel you ought to delete it or post about less of your life?

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How do you maintain the balance? How do you keep your blog real?
I'd love to know your thoughts!

Sarah x

PS I hope you have a good weekend! If you are near this large cyclone please stay safe. We're waiting to see which direction it takes to find out what kind of preparations to take. xx


18 comments

  1. Such great questions to think about! I've thought about all of that a lot. It is a fine line. I was hesitant for years to post any photos of me or my family but slowly started too as I saw that so many others did and that they were fine. I'm still careful not to give too many details that would make it obvious where I am or live and stuff like that. And, you're right....the more interesting blogs are the ones that share some personal stuff. I eventually started doing that years ago and got so much back from it that I didn't expect....support, advice, people who have gone through similar things, etc. Blogging and Facebook have been a huge lesson for me in how much we're all the same. It's been wonderful. There are a lot of things that drive me to blog...the creativity of putting a posts together, meeting wonderful people, sharing experiences, sharing and showing my creative accomplishments and travel, and on and on. People are the biggest part now. I love hearing from people...it's so heartwarming and uplifting. And, I love seeing and hearing about what other people are up to, what they create, what they're going through and being supportive of them. I know there's some scary stuff out there and scary people but I try to be as smart as I can about blogging. Overall, I think blogland is a wonderful place with lots of wonderful people. I'm so happy to have discovered it and to have become a part of it all. It's made me a better person and made my life richer. :-)

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    1. It's wonderful to hear you've had such a great experience in the blogosphere! I think most people (including myself) do :-) Thanks so much for sharing your thoughts x

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  2. I am more cautious about my internet presence since my daughter became a victim of stalking/cyberharassment. Maybe people think that it only happens to celebrities but they are mistaken. I no longer post personal photos or information that would help an obsessed or delusional person locate me or my family. It's a scary world out there. Once you become a victim, you remain a victim until the stalker chooses to stop. The average person doesn't have the money to hire private investigators like movie stars do. There is little the police can do or are willing to do. Be aware that a crazy person can take a liking to your photo or that of your child and turn your life into a nightmare. On a more cheerful note: love your farm photos. We're still buried in snow here.

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    1. I'm sorry to hear that your daughter had this happen to her....I think it is important to be aware that the internet is a public place, even though it can feel very safe in the private comfort of your own home.
      Hope the snow shifts for you soon! :-)

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  3. Stay safe from the cyclone Sarah, I will be back later with a proper comment on blogging & balance!

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  4. I struggle with this all the time. When I started my blog it was just plants and then as time evolved the blog evolved. I must say that there are times when I fell as though I might just shut it down but blogging has enriched my life in ways I never thought possible. So many creative like minded people who have showed me that there is a fantastic community of talented and passionate people in this world. We shall see where the road goes...Love that you blog...you give me a little glimpse into a world that I will never know! Happy day to you friend! Nicole xoxo

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    1. Thank-you Nicole - I enjoy visiting your blog also (I love the photos you post of the snow!) x

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  5. Hi Sarah, I am back again! Interesting thoughts and something that I think about too. I think we all know that no one has a picture perfect life, 24/7. But, I look at my blog as a way of reflecting on the good stuff in my life and when I look back over my posts its makes me more grateful for what I have. As you know, I rarely post photos of my children and if I do they are usually taken from a distance. I rarely post anything too emotional although sometimes it feels good to be a little more open...your regular readers will appreciate your honesty. I posted what I consider to be my most personal post just after New Year this year. Some of the comments from my regular readers brought tears to my eyes...in a good/happy/connected kind of way.

    Interesting isn't it? At the end of the day blogging is a great outlet, I have found the community very supportive and friendly and it is an awesome place to share photos. Have a good weekend and take care x

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    1. I have found that blogging too as made me be more appreciative of more every day things as I capture them in photos or write about them here. I have found the blogging community a wonderful thing to be part of :-)

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  6. such an interesting topic. i first started blogging as a way to connect with people who had so much of their knowledge, creativity and resources to share. i had met such people on instagram, which i started first back back in late 2010, and wanted to recreate something on the blog. i was able to connect with so many - gamers, creatives, gardeners, foodies, travelers, moms - and it's been really great. i hope that in some way i am also sharing or trying to connect with people with every day life. sometimes it's a hit or a big miss. and for me sometimes coming out with my biggest worries to people i met in the blogging community has been a lot more easier than say to some of my friends. it's the oddest thing but for some things it's been true. i am content with blogging for now, but for me facebook has gotten out of control. that's one social media account i am considering deleting!

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    1. I love blogging, but find Facebook a little strange. I don't use my profile, I only have an account so that I can get updates from businesses I am interested in :-)

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  7. That's really is the question, my answer I don't know I just write what come naturally I guess, I hope the weather treats you kindly
    Clare x

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    1. Thank-you Clare! Writing what comes naturally is the easiest form of blogging I think :-) Have a good weekend! x

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  8. A great post that's got me thinking... I've been blogging for a fair while now and while I have periods where I feel unmotivated and other times where I have lots of posts running through my head, blogging and writing has remained a constant. Initially, I began wanting to simply share things that inspired me, snippets of our home renovations and so on and to connect with like minded souls. Over time, I guess my blog became slightly more personal in that I shared family life etc. Privacy is a big concern for me so I never share personal details or photos that would divulge anything like that. For me, I blog about the happy memories and parts of our life I want to tuck away and remember, not because I'm trying to portray a 'perfect life', but simply because this is what I want to look back on and remember one day. Blogging for me now is more of a memory-keeping, writing outlet and has led me to meeting so many other lovely individuals who are part of the blogging community. Amanda xx

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  9. Hi Sarah,

    Great Post. Why do I blog? It's a question I'm always having to ask myself when I feel lost and unmotivated with my blog. For me it's a place to document what's going on in our life and it's the perfect forum for me because I love to take photos and I love writing. I don't have any other way as I'm not a scrapbooker nor do I keep actual photo albums or journals or other such things. The main issue for me is the privacy of the children, it's tricky because all of our extended family live interstate so they love my blog for keeping in touch and as you know I post photo of them on my blog. I'm not sure how much longer I'll feel comfortable doing that. Sometimes I feel a bit exposed when I write a more personal Post but these are always the ones that get the most comments and therefore support - I really love that about the blogging community. As for your question, of course you don't have to divulge your entire private life for a blog to be interesting. I have always felt your space here is very real with what you do write - you've mentioned the joys as well the pitfalls when they arise....I think just keep doing what YOU want to do with your space....Mel x

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  10. I've been blogging for 6 years now and never would have imagined I would do so. It was my cousin that forced me to start a blog so she and I could keep in touch and now she doesn't blog at all and hasn't for years. But I've made so many friends here and have even met some of them in person. I know that anywhere I travel where there's a blog friend, I would be welcomed. It's nice to have friends stop in every day for a chat. Quite a different world we live in. I also have Instagram but don't post picture of myself there. Have connected with blog friends through that media which has been great, too. Plus, it's easier than blogging. A picture, a blurb or quote and done. Did you hear that the American Psychiatric Association has officially labeled taking selfies as a mental disorder? Seriously, some people take way too many pictures of themselves. I don't get that at all. I'm not about promoting myself -- I'm all about promoting a healthy lifestyle, gratitude for the every day, simple things of life. As for Facebook, never had an interest in it, never did it, never will. I've lost some friends because of that -- they seem to think that's all there is. Oh well! Wishing you a wonderful day. Tammy

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  11. I could have sworn I'd left a comment here already, oops. I love the window on your world that your blog offers. I know your life can't be idyllic 24/7 but it's a very different life to mine and so is inherently interesting to me as well as pretty to look at. I blog to connect, and you include things that allow me to do that. Folk connect with me too and as you know I blog very little about my family, my hounds or my home. I do blog about me and as I'm pretty upbeat by nature I do keep things fairly positive, and where I do have something less positive to say I try to make it funny. Keep doing what you do m'dear and we'll keep reading :)

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  12. Oh I completely understand! I love blogging (although being new at it) but being a teacher I often wonder if my students will come across it, what will they think, am I over-sharing or is it just enough? I think that I follow my heart and post what is of value to me - I consider it a journal, a way of just documenting my world that if others find interesting then they do, if not, then not. It is a hard one, particularly with children, but I love being able to share with my families who live so far away what we're up to. I love your blog and what you write about and have never commented before, your posts are fascinating and your images gorgeous. Thank you!

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