OK, I have a prayer request and blog question for all of you out there. I don't normally put two blog entries out in one day on both of my blogs. But I just realized that my other blog was started almost one year ago, which was the beginning of my blogging journey. Now, most of you know that I started this blog because some of my family read my other blog, and I never felt like I could be open and in a sense my true self because of family reading it. So I started this blog, without them knowing about it, so I could be more open, and as my title says, maybe you'll see a different view of me. But truly, trying to keep up that other blog is becoming a bit of a pain. Every time I write on it, I feel a bit apprehensive and not as free as I do here. So I'm thinking of shutting it down, in a way, or maybe just changing the direction of it. But as I've been praying and thinking about what to do with the other blog, and the fact that I don't feel I can be real 'open' on it, I've realized its not just my family I'm thinking of. As I'm making more friends out here, I realize, I don't want any of them to know about my blog. Because even on that one, there were many times I opened up on things, feelings, issues, and I don't know if I want my IRL friends to know those things about me. Or to know without me telling them myself. Do you think I'm goofy that I can, in a sense, open up with all of you, that I've never met, but I don't want my IRL friends to know all of this about me? And you know, truthfully, it's not that I wouldn't tell my IRL friends some of the things I talk about on my blogs, but I want to tell them in person. I think that's truly how I feel about my other blog too. The family and friends that read it are all local, and I don't like that they are finding out about me through my blog. They can call me, I can call them, things like that. Same with friends I'm making, I want to tell them the things myself, not having them read it. But then I enjoy blogging and I want to tell my IRL friends about my blog. I want them to get the same joy I do from blogging. Though I will admit, most of my friends are not interested in blogs or even the internet that much, so maybe it's not an issue. I'm rambling, I know, but see, this is what I like about blogging. I like just throwing some of my thoughts and issues out there and seeing what all my blog friends think about it. I have a connection with all of you, because like I said, none of my IRL friends blog. All of you are like me, and we get lost in our computers, and we understand how easy that is. The few people I've brought blogs up to usually just sort of roll their eyes, and say they've never been interested in blogs. But I believe most of you not only understand my desire to blog, but my difficulty I'm having right now. Am I hiding my true self from my IRL friends? Should I let them see the true me? Am I afraid they won't accept me if they read how I really feel and deal with things? Maybe that's my biggest concern? I'm so scrambled and rambling today, sorry. But that is the prayer I have. That the Lord would show me what to do with my other blog, and whether I should truly make it a blog of just surface type entries so I can continue to let my family and friends read it. I know there are so many other things that are issues, not only in my life but your lives also. But these blogs do mean a lot to me, and through them I want to always glorify the Lord, and bring only honor to Him.
Thanks for taking the time to read this, and say a pray if you do. I really appreciate all of you.
Hey JoAnn,
I can understand your hesitation fully. In our blogs we put it all on the line, mostly because to us it's easier to deal with when it's on paper (and not breathing down our necks like family can do). My family doesn't even know I have a blog, I've never told them. To me it's like a journal, only with feedback from people experiencing the same things I am. I don't consider it lying to my family because if I kept a diary I wouldn't let them read that either. I blog for me, to get things off my chest, clear my head and to listen to what others have to say for God has chosen them to read my blog. We only live 45 minutes away from each other, yet we communicate more on blogs than email or other means. It's what we were meant to do. Our blogs are personal for us, not for criticizing by our family members and IRL friends. In an internet run world where it's easy for people to lie about themselves in chat rooms, it's refreshing for us to read about real troubles that we've all had and to hear about the different ways others have sought out the Lord to solve them. We love you for who you REALLY are because you allow us to see that. Keep on doing it.
Oh and to answer your two main questions: No he STILL doesn't have a job and yes I STILL have my head cold.
This is just me but, be as much of yourself as you feel comfortable being in any blog.
I mean of course we all have things we will share with this person or not that person etc. So I would think you share what you feel most comfortable sharing about yourself, on both blogs or one blog and keep that blog.
I understand totally what your saying, I finally said today in a email to my brother after a year what I feel and who I am and it made me feel better knowing to my own self I am true.
I can relate. I didn't tell a lot of people that I was starting a blog. I actually have a good friend that blogs somewhere else. I didn't want to blog there, because I didn't want to be added to her friends list and have everyone reading it (like I do). I was just starting and needed some of that anonymity, I guess.
I can relate with the struggle about being "real" especially around your IRL friends. I've struggled with this before. Several years ago, just prior to my husband's diagnosis with cancer, I felt like the Lord was asking me to let go of the masks that I clung to and wore. It was a freeing moment, that realness.
My blog developed during that season. It started as a caringbridge site journaling my dhs journey through cancer. But, it began to morph into this journal about my inner struggles and faith. Many of my readers are friends that I know IRL. Do I feel uncomfortable about it? Sometimes. But I don't want to go back to wearing masks...so I continue to blog about my heart.
My advice would be to stop the other blog. Time is a precious thing, don't waste it on a blog that you don't fully enjoy.
I admire your desire to not appear "perfect"...from another not so "perfect" blogger...
You know that I have several blogs with several different purposes. I like having my Jenn4him for my family and real life friends. They want to see pictures of my kids. I want to present homeschool in a positive light. And I think the friends I have through doing the weekly meme's are valuable as well. I enjoy how it has developed. It is my main blog. Yet, I would not post some of my inner struggles there. I understand your feelings about that. That's what my other blog is for. It works for me. I don't think it is a mask. It is just me wanting to be private. I think if you keep 2peter318, you can find a way to enjoy it. Make it into a nature journal. *wink*
Jenn
I'm the same way, friend. I don't like my neighbors, family, or even church friends to know about my blog either. It's almost like I would feel that they were spying on me and watching me... sneaking in on my personal life. There's a different kind of connection with blogging friends. I enjoy the relationships I've developed through out the years. So, with all that said... I say toss the other blog. I did that with my other one, too. and I feel much better.
I think if you can make your other blog into something you enjoy then keep it. If it is a burden then toss. Sit and pray and I KNOW the Lord will show you which it is. (((HUGS)))
I hope to call you tomorrow if it works. Let me know.
And give me a time if you want. [0=
This blog is so I can share my journey with the Lord, my journey as a wife and mother, and my journey as a homeschool mom. I pray that you will see the Lord in my life through happy and sad times, and that this blog glorifies the Lord.
This is an award and tag free zone, thank you.
