The things we don’t blog about…
For all the minutiae I make you all suffer through on this blog, there is a lot that I leave out. Since my posts are usually focused on a certain topic, and are less diary style, there is a lot of things I do that don’t get blogged. Like, going to VeganMania with Steven,
attending my friend’s wedding,
exploring the Quad Cities…
And there is just a lot going on that I don’t mention – because it’s inappropriate, would unintentionally hurt someone’s feelings, is not my story to tell, shows you how awful I really am, etc.
I have been thinking about what I leave out on my blog, and what other bloggers leave out too. Because as you get to know bloggers in person, then read their blog, you notice what they told you, and what they wrote about something… or what they didn’t write about at all.
So, this sounds weird, but it’s fun to read someone’s blog, but know more of the back story to something they are talking about, or know that they are not posting because they are busy doing something they didn’t tell everyone about, and so on. Does that make any sense?
What do you leave out on your blog? Do you ever read an irl friend’s blog and think about the “back story” or what they left out… or aren’t saying, that they said to you?
Themocracy
This is so true! I mostly write about running and occasionally add tidbits from my “real life”. I wonder about adding more “back story” and whether or not people would enjoy reading it.
I bet they would! 🙂
I def understand leaving stuff out. I get more peeved when people you know irl basically lie about things and paint a pretty picture just to make themselves feel better.
I bet for some, their blog is a total escape where they can imagine a better life. But hopefully they are not trying to be something they aren’t!
Makes me happy to privy to some of the background! : )
Just let me know when you feel like you know too much 😉
I end up leaving a lot of stuff out because I’m lazy and don’t blog very often. I’m ok with that though.
I have read a couple blog posts after having met a blogger and its interesting to see what they blog about the event we met at.
I’m pretty sure I’d be kicked off the internet if I ever wrote about all the things I actually think/do. hah!
Ha ha ha. Those are the things I want to know about! Or participate in?!
I leave off my faith. It’s incredibly important to me but feels so intimate I’m not sure I want to write about it for just anyone. I leave out a bunch of things, too, not to be deceiving (oh our life is PERFECT) but just because I don’t know how to write it/don’t want to write it/don’t want to talk about it/don’t want everyone to know.
There is a lot that I leave off my blog – I try to use it more as a journal to record the major ups and sometimes the downs. I certainly don’t try to present a perfect life, since I don’t have one, but I am fully aware of the fact that I just present a snapshot, not the whole picture. And, to be honest, I assume that other people do the same! The internet is public space, and I censor myself in part because of that!
I try to be very conscious of the fact that anything I write and publish will live forever. We are in an age where written words don’t disappear so I make an effort to publish content which will not embarrass me when my grandkids ask, “Grandma, did your write this?”
I think I need to keep that filter in mind. A lot of times I write and forget about certain people who read it. Not that I write anything “bad,” just some really silly stuff!
Is that a vegan Twinkie in that first set of pics?
What I don’t blog about… personal stuff that goes deep into details about family. I don’t mind sharing some deep things about myself in those rare moments, but when it reveals too much that needs to stay personal and not shared with the public, I keep it off the blog.
It is! It didn’t taste quite like a twinkie – more like a tastilicious cake, but still good 🙂
I try not to give TOO much detail about my personal and work life. I usually just post “what’s going on” in my life and details about running/workouts/food/goals. Because that won’t come to bite me in the future. Maybe that’s why I don’t seem as bubbly as I do in person! 🙂
Maybe that is it! 😛
I pretty much have the same rules as you. And I love that we know lots of each other’s “back story” 🙂
Me too. Ha ha ha. 😉
I like how it looks like you and the bride are the only ones on the dance floor and you’re wearing your purse. 😉
There is a lot I don’t say on my blog because it would hurt someone or isn’t my story even though I’m impacted by it. I often skip blogging when that happens.
I keep a lot of work issues and family drama private. I just don’t think a blog is a place to air those grievances! But I’m pretty open on my blog about my own personal struggles and personal story.
I think we are very similar in that way. Sometimes I really want to let all those issues out, but it’s really not appropriate… so I just spew my own stuff 🙂
I try to remember that my blog is my story and try not to tell “other people’s stories.” If they wanted their lives broadcast, they would start their own blogs. Especially with my husband being in the Navy, I know he is extra sensitive about info being out there about him. And I also try to avoid “hot” topics – politics, sex, my job, any details about my marriage and other personal relationships, etc.
There is so much stuff that I leave out. There are some stories that would make for amazing blog posts, but this is the internet and all, so I keep them to myself.
However, one of my favorite things ever is when I leave something out of a story, and someone that knows about it comments. There’s always so much double meaning in those comments and I think its hilarious.
Oh gosh. Yes. That is fun. All those inside jokes. Or rather, inside knowledge 😉
It’s definitely important to not tell other people’s stories, and there’s also the perspective of ‘how do you want to portray yourself’ – whether that’s intentional or unintentional.
You should probably make us those chocolate chip cookies that appear to be the size of a plate or at least stop leaving out where to get one. 🙂
Anytime I see someone blog about an incident that could be hurtful to someone else it makes me lose respect for them and stop reading their blog. I even ask my husband before posting things. Sure, we went around and around about a dumb picture of him on a giant pumpkin, but he finally realized it was for the common good of man that it be published!
LOL! That cookie is from the Chicago Diner. I didn’t even know they had sweets! 🙂
I know what you mean – when you read a blog and wonder why the writer is portratying someone a certain way! I need to remember to ask my husband for permission. He probably just assumes everything will end up on here eventually 😉
I think the question for me should be “what do you put on your blog?”, for which the answer is simple. I only blog about running, cycling, and a few posts on family. I also don’t put pictures of people on my blog because I don’t feel that it is right. So, there are many parts of my life that I don’t write about, and most likely never will.
Sometimes I don’t even notice you haven’t blogged about something because I’ve talked to you about it IRL 🙂
I guess I leave out a lot since my blogs are pretty topic-focused. It’s difficult to strike a balance between sharing enough for people to feel a connection and not overshare.
I try not to write about personal stuff between me and my husband, although occasionally I do, and I try not to write with any specifics about work. A lot of times I will write about my feelings or mood but only give specifics by e-mail. I don’t want to have regret about putting stuff out there.
I never assume that bloggers write about their entire lives – we all have areas that are off limits. But, I do assume writers are being truthful about what they write – I kind of get irked when I find out people stretch the truth or outright lie on their blogs.
Things that are off limits for me: work, family issues (not necessarily related to Sweets, more extended family stuff), some personal stuff related to Sweets and me (though, not much) and anything that tries to disparage or be disrespectful to any person or group of people (I just don’t run that kind of operation).
Your comment reminded me of a blog years ago that was completely fabricated! Do you remember that? LOL. This crap is not made up! My real life is this mundane 🙂
It is fun to know the “details” behind something. I especially like it when it comes to relationships.
That being said, I kind of don’t care about the minutiae of everyday life, so leaving it out is generally okay with me. Like, just blogging about a boring sandwich just to write something? That’s lame. I’d rather a blogger leave out some stuff and make the content thoughtful and well-written.
[…] Posted on October 4, 2012 | Leave a comment Earlier in the week, Kim made a post about what she leaves out of her blog posts. This made me think about what I leave off my blog. My […]
I’ve stopped talking about work because my blog is bigger (not huge…but bigger) than it was a few years ago, and more public…people from work read it! I don’t want to get too messy with that. Otherwise, I leave out a lot of my personal life (dating, when I’m sad) because that’s private and you never know who is reading. That being said, I’m not happy all the time and sometimes I wonder if I’m not showing the entire picture. I always think it’s interesting to meet people after I’ve been reading their blog since I wonder if they’re the same person they portray…and if they think the same about me!