Hey everyone! First of all – THANK YOU for all of your amazing comments from yesterday! I don’t think I’ll be able to get through all of them and respond but I read each one and some of you were so supportive and shared how you could relate, which I really appreciated. Yesterday’s post also got me thinking about how much I share, and where the line should be drawn on what I should or should not put out in a public space.
I’ve gotten a few questions and requests for blog posts over the past couple months about intuitive eating, binge eating, etc. and how I’m doing with the issue. Since I shared a lot of my story last year, I expect these kinds of questions – many of you are curious or going through the same thing, and I understand why people would want updates.
But, I’ll be honest – I don’t love talking about these things on my blog anymore, which is why those types of posts (such as yesterday’s) are a little more rare. I think as I’ve gotten older I’ve gotten a lot more private about my life, not wanting to share everything on the internet. I also feel a little lost myself at the moment and am not entirely sure what to say or share with you all.
On the other hand, I started this blog so that I could be real and be someone that women reading could relate to. I wanted to put myself out there to start conversations, to make people feel like they weren’t alone and to connect with my readers. Avoiding personal topics makes this a lot more difficult at times. It’s a hard balance for me – deciding what and what not to share in these space and essentially for the world to see.
Photo courtesy of Carissa G. Photography
Weirdly, it’s not the sharing with people I don’t know that bothers me, that’s easy. It’s knowing that my family, friends, old classmates and colleagues read this blog that makes me more hesitant to share. It’s weird to see someone in person knowing that they know way more about me than I would have normally shared with them, or that I know about them.
So if you have any specific questions or curiosities always feel free to email me at peaceloveandoats@gmail.com. As for the blog, I’m not really sure what will happen with what I choose to share, but like everything else, I’ll take it day by day.
If you’re a blogger – do you have a hard time drawing a line or finding a balance?
If you’re a reader, how do you feel about the topic?
IT IS hard to draw the line, love. I shared A LOT of personal stuff on my blog from my poop to my ED. I get questions about my ED recovery ALL the time and when I post about certain recovery topics/questions those are the posts that always turn out the best because my passion truly is helping others in that area or with their health in general. So, even though some times I feel like “well, I don’t feel like sharing everything personal anymore” I remind myself that when I do I am helping MYSELF realize and appreciate how far I’ve come AND helping others, which is my passion
I agree that it takes a lot of thought as to what to share and what not to share. There have been things happening in my life that I haven’t shared kind of for the same reason. I don’t want the people who I see in real life who read my blog to know. They are some good topics, but I’m not ready to face some people face to face over them. It’s YOUR blog so what YOU want to share is all we can ask for 🙂
I completely understand where you’re coming from. I’ve really started to pull away from discussing minuet details about my life. Our blogs are a way for us to share our passions and hobbies, not everything about our personal lives. I’ve struggled with figuring out if I’m still “showing my voice” and “who I am” by not posting everything. I decided those readers that care about my blog and myself understand that we all have a personal life that’s OKAY to keep separate from the internet. Not all issues we struggle with need to be talked about. And like you said, those readers that need to reach out for support can do so privately, one-on-one.
I feel the same way, the focus of my blog has really shifted from talking about me to sharing information to helping people become better in their quest to enjoy my passions.
I think that is totally valid and I completely respect that. I too felt the most awkward and uncomfortable knowing friends and family were reading the intimate stuff. There was a time where I felt that I was scared about SOME topics because I felt that they would see me in a very different way than they did before, but then I felt that this was necessary for me to be truly honest with them in ways I couldn’t do face to face without being kinda weird. So I pushed my boundaries to remove a strong impenetrable facade I had put on around family for so long. It helped me be honest with myself and with them and be proud of my past and who I am now. But, now I overcame that hurdle, and it has taught me to just be more straight forward about everything in the future. So I’m more private on my blog, sharing with those close to me things that are more intimate. I’ll admit, I love reading about the personal trials and triumphs of bloggers and friends because you do feel more connected to them, but, as long as the content isn’t shallow or ingenuous, then it still pulls me in and hold my attention. I wouldn’t worry too much about it, and just do what you feel comfortable with. Things will change over time, the blog changes as you change, like you said. We’ll still be here supporting.
I feel like I could’ve written this post myself. I’m feeling lost right now too, and though I think a lot of my blog friends know, it’s not something that I share openly with people outside of my family in “real” life. I think as I get older, I’ll share less. I’m trying to figure out what direction my blog is going in.
Long time reader, first time commenting! To be honest, your blog should be a very personal thing and it’s up to you what you want to share. You have no obligation to do anything you’re not happy with!
I really appreciate everything you do choose to share but certainly don’t expect it. I had a blog for a short time but was deeply uncomfortable broadcasting my life and it felt like a chore quite quickly so I stopped! Every post you write has value for me, whether it’s something “private” or not. Thank you for writing! 🙂
I have to say I’ve always appreciated your honesty on this blog. I’m a whole two months into blogging myself and I am already finding it strange to be writing for such an undefined audience, full of people I know well, barely, or not at all.
Katie, I love your honesty! I am not a huge sharer, actually, and it works really well. I share larger details yes, but not smaller ones –and I am careful about what pictures and stories I put on the internet. It’s just the way it is, and that is OKAY. It is your blog, so you get to do what you want. In essence, you are writing for you, yes, but you also know others will see it, so sometimes it takes a bit of juggling to match what you feel is best for that arena. You’re awesome!
Hi Katie, I have a blog that I never publicly advertise because recently, I have started to open up more about some of my food-related struggles, which I only do because it feels cathartic for me right now. I am trying to figure out whether I want to start sharing it more, but hesitate because I am a little self conscious. So it is interesting to hear your perspective – which I totally relate to. I think your blog should be about what you want to say, that is what makes it so honest. You shouldn’t force topics that you don’t feel comfortable sharing because at the end of the end of the day, you write for you. I like reading your posts as they are if that is any consolation 🙂
Yes I understand completely. I keep my very personal posts spare, since my clients often read my blog. I have to keep it profession while at the same time saying “hey, i know how you feel. I’ve been there too.” It’s hard, and sometimes I am hesitant to hit that “publish” button. You’re not alone!
I”m the same.. well kinda. I have clients and co-workers who read my blog but then again, i don’t hide anything. So i guess you could say it’s a fine line to walk. More importantly, it’s about being real, which you both are! <3
I totally understand what you’re saying here. That line has been hard for me to draw at times too. You just have to do what you feel the most comfortable with and be confident in that! 🙂
I know exactly what you mean about knowing what to share and what’s too far. It’s kind of funny seeing some of my life-long friends who also have blogs and we already know what each other have been up to because of our blogs. It’s a tough balance…
I usually just post what I feel like I want to talk about when I click “new post.” If it pops into my mind at that point, my thought is that’s what I should share.
it can be hard for us to draw the line as we like to be completely honest with our readers and clients through sharing things on our blog. we know sometimes it might reach certain people differently, but we feel being honest and being you is important, and readers appreciate that even if they don’t always agree or like what you are saying.
I have a hard time sharing too much personal information for that same reason. I clearly don’t care what the rest of the world thinks of me, but I often hold back on publishing something because I don’t want my mom and dad (or anyone else in my family) to know TOO much. 😉 At the same time, if I never opened up on my blog then readers would start to think it was written by a robot instead of an actual human being! It’s all a balancing act.