Hello everyone, sorry I haven't posted in awhile my mood has been much better I've just been busy with the usual stuff. The other week my Mom and I were having a discussion about my blog, she thinks I share too much personal information and it might come back and haunt me later, she also dislikes facebook and texting. (this is not a dig on my Mom in any way) Since she feels that way I have asked her to please not read my blog, she agreed not to but she thinks she should be able to because it is on the Internet and available to everyone to read. This discussion all started because back in Feb or March I said that "I had fallen off the wagon" referring to falling off the bfc wagon not referring to the alcohol wagon. So that makes me wonder how do you guys feel about sharing personal information on your blogs? And how do you feel about those close to you in your personal life reading your blog?
Lately I realized that the group dynamic is really helpful for me. I love this blogging community and I recently discovered I love taking group exercise classes. I personally think the group dynamic is a big part of why WW is so successful. The bfc/ft is successful for myself and hubby when we stick to it. I'm sure you know what I mean about that. Having chips around is just asking for trouble for us. We have decided to be extra good until the end of hubby's school quarter in the middle of June. Extra good for us means no beer for hubby or wine for me. We are not giving these things up because we have a problem, it is that we want to be extra mindful in our eating and when you cut something out for a time or cut back we have found that to be helpful.
Things are good up here in our neck of the woods, the weather has been beautiful and I love seeing the trees and flowers in bloom. We are hearing good rumblings about our house, nothing official to share yet, just things are moving in a good direction :) On Saturday I was at the mall trying to exchange some work shoes and I decided to pop into Bath & Body Works to see if they had any deals....boy howdy they had their large candles on sale 2 for 1. My hometown Spokane, WA is also known as the lilac city. There are tons of beautiful fragrant lilacs in bloom all over right now. Lilacs have a strong but lovely scent, but often when their scent is manufactured it smells terribly. The slatkin & co. candle that I bought at Bath & Body works is delicious. I also purchased a coconut candle that smells like summer. :) Have a wonderful day.
I understand your Mom's concern, but I also understand you wanting to share. As everyone can probably tell by now, I personally don't like sharing information that could identify me or my family; I don't even use my real name online. I've only shared this with a few people, but I had a stalker situation happen to me one time with a lady on a weight loss board. It was quite scary and I vowed that I would never share myself like that online ever again so that I did not put myself or my family in that type of situation ever again. I know that doesn't happen to most people using the internet, but I was one of the unlucky ones that had someone attach themselves to me in an unhealthy way, and I don't want her to find me again. Because her interest is in health/weight loss, it's very plausible that she could stumble upon my blog. If she ever did, she wouldn't know it was me because of my vagueness.
ReplyDeleteI don't share that to scare you, but just to let my story be a caution to you, and something for you to think about.
Aside from that, I don't let my family (siblings, etc.) and friends know about my blog because it's just for me...it's my hobby, if you will. My husband and kids know I have a blog, but they don't read it, not that it matters because there's nothing personal there anyhow, but they respect my space and don't ask to read it either. I think you just need to find what works for you. I agree that being a part of a group is really helpful. That's why I have my blog and joined WW. I need group support.
You know I have mentioned that my Hubby hates it when I talk about anything personal. I don't think I say too much, maybe I'm wrong.
ReplyDeleteI love our blog community and it has kept me sane the past few years. I don't have my address or phone number on facebook - just my city and name.
I don't think you should say I'm leaving right now - so come and rob me. LOL
We just need to be a bit careful - but keep doing it for sure.
Have a great day :-)
Share away. I agree with Rosalie about taking certain precautions but our blog community is what keeps us sane and keeps us going when we feel like we don't want to. Your life, your choice. =0)
ReplyDeleteWell obviously I share most of my heart and issues, so I obviously haven't learned any hard lessons. I do know when I thought of my sister or cousin reading my blog, it totally changed how "real" I wanted to be. Then I thought, this is me, the real me, so whatever!!! My daughter read it for awhile, but I don't think she has time anymore. If people have so much time on their hands that they read blogs that have nothing to do with them, they have bigger problems that we can solve. I subscribe to several blogs that are of interest to me, I wouldn't just start reading some random strangers blog? That's just me?
ReplyDeleteI totally think blogging helps keep me going. Good, bad or ugly, this is me:)
You should only share what you are 100% comfortable with. People you know and dont know will read it. Most will be supportive, but some will judge. My Mother reads my blog, for example. I care about her feelings so I won't say anything that may hurt her. Even though I think a lot of my eating habits are from the way we grew up eating. Even if she doesn't read it, it is out there FOREVER, and someone else could tell her. I don't use my blog to vent though, but to share. And I try to keep the vibe positive, because I think concentrating and going on about negative things makes them worse. You should read up on Dooce - it's a great story about how NOT to write your blog :)
ReplyDeleteI don't have a blog, but I do have facebook, and both my parents think I share too much on there :) I think we are of the generation that feels/knows group support work and maybe our parents are from a very private generation. All I know is that I like your blog and feel I can relate to your daily struggles and that is very helpful :) Nothing you have ever written (that I've read) is hurtful or harmful to you or anyone else so keep on blogging!
ReplyDeleteCarey
I love Manito Park! Enjoy your candles.
ReplyDeleteI love candles.
ReplyDeletePersonally, I've never read anything on your blog that seemed like TMI, and I'm from the older generation that tends to be more private.
I am careful when blogging. I try to be aware of the feelings of others, and careful not to say anything I wouldn't want repeated, etc. I have posted pics of the family and some of my personal info is out there. Thankfully, I haven't had minichick's experience...yet.
I don't think my family/friends have even read my weight loss blog. It's my way of having a little privacy.
You'll find the balance that's good for you. Take Care-
I agree with Jeri, I don't think your blog is too revealing. If we can't blog about our ups and downs and how we deal with occasional stresses then what will our blogs be about? I personally keep my blog private to everyone I know. My husband knows I blog but he would have no idea where to look for it even if he was interested enough to read it! No one else I know even knows about this. I just do this for me.
ReplyDeleteLove those candles Katie.I agree that the blog can be a problem sometimes. Now that my kids and their friends read it, I tend to hold back alittle because I don't want to reveal anything too personal. I guess it's a balancing act, but I agree, I need to keep at it, and keep up with my girls to stay focused. Things are crazy for me, but it's a little way of escaping. Don't think I've forgotten you if I don't comment in awhile. Oh, and thanks for the recipe in the last post. Sounds delicious. Sending love and hugs!
ReplyDeleteI try to always remember that NOTHING on the Internet is private. I try not to say anything that I would not say in public. Occaisionally on FB I might say more than I should but for the most part I am very careful. I no longer blog publicly because I do not want to be judged in any way, and I have had that experience. I do sometimes comment on the blogs of friends, but again, always remembering that nothing on the Internet is private.
ReplyDeletet