I may have had a blog first…

I blogged for many years on an anonymous blog. I never gave my name, rarely posted photos, and never gave details of who I was. This allowed me the freedom to blog about whatever I wanted. And, at a time in my life, this was very exhilerating. If I got a crappy holiday gift, I could joke about it without worrying that I would hurt someone’s feelings or cause some kind of family drama. My blog readership grew. I got product review gigs, participated on an election/politically minded blog for moms, made great blog friends, and even got my latest work gig from that blog.

But, something happened a year or so ago that made me want to “out” myself. I just wanted to start fresh and put myself out there. No, I don’t announce my name on here. I’m still hesitant to put too many kid photos or details about them on here, for their own safety. But, I am to the point now that if I am going to write about it for public consumption, it should be something I would say in person. Maybe I’m more mature now or something!

And, for the most part I have stuck to that. Most recently, I’ve had some struggles that I’ve been very honest about on here. Things that I would not walk up and tell a friend, but I might over a few drinks. I still don’t regret that, even though it may cast a different light on my life than reality. It makes it seem like my problems are these huge things, rather than small things I just happen to be working through.

The irony in this big blog outing of myself is that I switched names and URLs, and virtually shut myself out to the blogging community unknowingly. I have been so busy that building back up my blog readership has not been a priority. But, I so miss my commenters at times! I miss my blogging gals! I’ve slowly started working back to blogging daily. Because, most of all, I have just missed writing.

So, I posted something recently that was a tad judgmental, and I gave example conversations. And, I think I may have someone reading this blog who read it and realized I was talking about them. While I stand by what I was saying, and I have and would say this to that person’s face, I am feeling bad that maybe their feelings were hurt.

That’s the problem with blogs that are really raw and honest. People sometimes get hurt, bent out of shape, or annoyed with you. I wish I could say that I would just stop blogging and that would be that. But, blogging is really like therapy for me. It’s like breathing. So, if this person DID read that post and WAS hurt, I do apologize. I was not making fun in the least, just trying to understand a segment of the mommyhood that thinks completely differently than I do.

Now, to end on a more positive note, I’ll share two writings I am loving today. Well, one is actually an essay read aloud, and someone told me it has been around for awhile. I have Kelly Corrigan’s book, The Middle Place, on my bedside table to read soon and now I can’t wait! The second is just great blog talk–something to which I completely related. The final one is from a new writer who I’m really enjoying reading who really defines where I feel like I am too in my life. Enjoy!

Transcending: Words on Women and Strength by Kelly Corrigan

Write to Done: Are you a writer?

Thick Skin Soft Heart