Comments on: Limits of Sharing

By: Ellie

Ellie — Wed, 18 Mar 2009 13:20:24 +0000

There are many aspects of my life that I do not share with the internet world. I think the biggest one might be family history and my present situation. In a general sense, my family life was far from normal growing up. I thought that despite my parent’s divorce, the world was good. Last year that view was shattered and while I talk about the subject with people I know and love, the folks on the internet are not apart of that. Honestly I feel like that part of my life does not belong on the internet.

What I do share are the emotions, for the most part. If I have something to do with my family I’ll say that I’m bummed or frustrated, but won’t fully divulge. I try to be positive most of the time, but one of my goals lately has been to not be afraid of my emotions.

None of the people in real life know about my little blog. If they did I think then it would lose it’s purpose.

By: Ashley

Ashley — Tue, 17 Mar 2009 20:32:55 +0000

I share pretty openly, and every once in a while I’ll feel a sudden panic at the thought of people I know in real life coming across my blog. But, I continue on anyway, because I need to write for myself.

By: Melissa

Melissa — Tue, 17 Mar 2009 16:33:51 +0000

On my blog I write whatever pops into my head, myspace stalkers, nightmares and this confusing “I Feel lost” feeling. I too tend to over share, and my friends and family have started to drop by to see what’s what, but I hate it. You my ex-boyfriend suggested blogging as a coping mechanism to my tendency to repress, suppress and push problems away. Since I was twelve I’ve had this duel personality. Happy for my loved ones and broken and hurt while alone. I write everything down and confide in my canvas instead of people. The only reason I’m sharing this is because you were brave enough to share, I’ve found that when people hear depression, they you are crazy. Then shy away from you, but what they don’t get it that more people are dealing with depression that they could ever realize. I believe that going through rough patches makes us better people, and I hope to God better writers. Thanks for sharing!

By: Lindsay

Lindsay — Tue, 17 Mar 2009 16:23:52 +0000

Overall, I don’t write about very serious things on my blog. I did, however, recently share a similar story about my battles with depression and anxiety. For some reason, it felt natural to share that with people.

By: Cara

Cara — Tue, 17 Mar 2009 15:40:01 +0000

Because I have two blogs, they have varying levels of disclosure. One blog is simply used for writing (mainly for responding to this)and because it remains annonymous I can be open there.
My other blog isn’t annonymous. Family and friends of varying levels check in there. As a result that blog is much more protective of my life. I wouldn’t want to talk about people who read it obviously, but also I don’t talk very much about my internal issues because they’re not all close friends. Some are just people I see on occasion. If I wouldn’t be that open with them in person, I find it a little hard to just be available to them online. For example, the letter to myself from last week? Not for that crowd.

By: phampants

phampants — Tue, 17 Mar 2009 15:36:11 +0000

Since day 1, my blog has been public to my friends. It usually entails stories that I retell that my friends & I shared. As geeky as I am, I seem to have quite entertaining stories.

However, when it comes to the deep down personal stuff, it’s hard to share. When my Ex broke up with me, I could not write about it. It was hard. Also, because of work, I also censor myself on certain stories of thoughts of angst that bother me. It’s frustrating, but it’s probably for the better. Why write about it when you can actually talk to someone about it.

By: Pam

Pam — Tue, 17 Mar 2009 15:34:17 +0000

I sort of do the same but on the fence at the same time. I keep certian topics private, like the personal struggles in my life whether it be our marriage, financial, or arguments. However, I do put some more in there because my family and friends read it on occasion. I live 1200 miles from them and this is the only place that they can really see what I’m up to, thinking, dealing with, etc. So for them, they get to see inside my world.

I don’t bash anyone on there, because I don’t really do that in real life. Except this one time when I had an issue with a sort of friend (we were just starting to become friends) doing a whole high school he said she said thing. It helped me by venting about it and getting the response.

By: Reggie Greene / The Logistician

Reggie Greene / The Logistician — Tue, 17 Mar 2009 15:11:49 +0000

Fascinating level of disclosure.

By: Amber @ 'Amber Alert'

Amber @ 'Amber Alert' — Tue, 17 Mar 2009 13:26:31 +0000

I have to completely agree with you and Megan. I avoid writing about personal friends, family and my boyfriend (unless it’s in a positive light). I have made my blog public through facebook, twitter etc. and so I know that friends and family occasionally read it. Plus, usually when I’m fighting with my boyfriend I’m FUMING so I don’t want to go spout off on my blog about what a jerk he is only to make up with him immediately after and be writing about what a great guy he is the next day!

What a great topic for today, a very thought-provoking post!

By: Megan

Megan — Tue, 17 Mar 2009 11:32:17 +0000

If my husband and I have an argument (we don’t have many…yet), I try to keep those away from my blog. I try not to talk about him in too much detail for his own privacy (aside from the good things). I also don’t talk much about my family that is living; I don’t want them to be offended if they find my blog.