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After a year and a half of writing this blog, it still seems odd to me that I share my most personal thoughts with world. See, I’ve always considered myself a private person, as I keep my feelings close to my chest, dealing them out only to those few, dear people closest to me. I’ve never really felt safe opening up to people, and I felt a sense of contentment with my story staying mine, alone.
You actually care?
When I first heard about blogging I couldn’t understand why anyone:
- Would think someone else cares enough about their thoughts to publish them
- Would want to read some random person’s thoughts
My reaction made perfect sense as I held the belief that an average person (like me) had no business broadcasting their thoughts, as they were insignificant, trivial and without value. I couldn’t imagine what kind of whackjob would actually care what I had to say.
The web is personal, so I better be
I still struggle with this idea. Being open doesn’t come that naturally to me. In fact, when I first decided to write this blog, I thought I would write it under a pseudonym, like J.D. Salinger. I didn’t want you to know it was me. Then I came to understand that the web is a table for two, and that the connection I have with you is only made possible by sharing my Self and my story. Without it, I have no voice, and, duh, my voice is my greatest tool. Whether I like it or not, this blog is about me. And I need to get comfortable with that.
When I write now, I often need to remind myself to be more personal. I still work to silence the little fearful voice that screams “no one cares”.
Sit down and stay a while
What I’ve found so freeing about becoming more public is that in this little corner of the web, at the table I’ve set up, I draw people like you, and you have helped me create an environment where I feel safe to open up entirely and let my voice sing.
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Comments
11.13.09
I absolutely love what you wrote here.
This is an issue I struggle with often. It's pretty important for me to be "real" but it's not easy being open on the intarwebs. On one hand, we read about how important it is to "brand" ourselves but if social media is used to allow people to really know us, I don't want my "brand" to so heavily cloak my outward self that people can't really see ME. But then I go and write about things like my giant zit and if that's not a "brand" popper, I don't know what is.
Thank goodness for Penelope's honest posts serving as an example that I can be transparent and still be valued professionally. (Even executives get pimples!)
11.13.09
I think this is my favourite blog post title, and I'm sad I didn't think of it.
I'm very private too. Half of my friends don't know things about me, but at the same time, blogging is very exposing. I rather enjoy this medium. It lets me think through what I'm going to say and perhaps even share those stories in real life with folks I know.
Great post.
11.13.09
@Holly Russo, I absolutely believe that in order to create a sustainable and valuable business you need to be completely transparent and as honest as you can be. "Branding" be damned -- as an independent professional I am my brand and if someone doesn't like me, as I am, then they aren't the right client for me. Keep up the posts about pimples, I'm sure your fans love your candid honesty.
@Mehnaz, thank you, I'm so glad you relate... and that you find my title entertaining;)
11.13.09
I suggest we form a society of whackjobs!
Great post. Cheers to community!
11.15.09
The problem I've discovered with whackjobs, is they tend to get whacked and smacked down repeatedly on an irregular basis. Not something I'd want to subject myself.
11.16.09
Well written and insightful post. It's such a leap of faith to be genuine for the wider world, isn't it? And yes, FABULOUS title;)
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