Thursday, March 20, 2008

Thinking of going private

I'm seriously considering going private with my blog. Not so much for the security of my family (although that wouldn't hurt) but because this blog isn't really turning into what I wanted it to be. When I first started, I thought it would be a great place to journal about my life since I have never been good at it in "real" life.

On one hand, I have done this but on the other, I feel like I often self censor my blogs because I don't want to sound too negative or too whatever. I want to be able to write some of my most real and raw feelings because it is part of who I am. I do love that I have some loyal people who read my blog on a regular basis and I appreciate it. I even look forward to reading the comments that are left. So....I'm torn.

Do you ever feel that you censor what you write because you know who is reading and you just might know them in "real" life?

Maybe I should just create a new blog that is private and is all mine where I can put my innermost thoughts and feelings and keep this one as well. Maybe I can make this one private and give access to those who want it. Hmmm...need to think about this a bit.

12 comments:

Kate said...

It's definitely a quandary. On the one hand, blogging is a great way to "journal" your life . . . on the other hand, by its very nature, blogging is quite public . . .
Good luck with whatever you choose! *HUGS* :)

Nancy Face said...

I know there are some bloggers who keep their public blog and also have a private blog to really vent their true feelings on. I wonder if it's hard to keep up with both?

Yes, I do have to be careful about what I write because I know of some relatives that read my blog, even though they never comment.

If you decide to go private, I would love to be invited! :)

Melissa said...

I've wondered about going private too... I hope that if you do go private, you'll let a few of us (meaning me) crazies join in :)

Charlotte said...

I definitely self-censor on my blog. I don't lie or anything, but I try to keep in mind that ANYONE could read anything I write at any time. That thought keeps a lot of my thoughts in my head and off the web.

I keep a separate journal for my most private thoughts and events, and I try to treat my blog more like a weekly newspaper column or something.

I have friends who have gone private as well, and some who maintain two different blogs, one private and one public. It seems to work for them.

Kimberly Vanderhorst said...

I think it's a really, really personal thing. It has to do with how much you're willing to share with the world. I don't know why or how, but my inhibitions went flying out the window ages ago. If the me of five years ago were blogging though? I'd definitely be going private. It's a funny thing.

Yvonne said...

It is a tough call--I have a blog where I vent and NO ONE reads that one ; ) It is like your journal. I remember hearing one time someone saying keep two journals one for your posterity to read and one to burn. If I'm upset at someone I wouldn't want my children to be influenced by that because I would have gotten over it and put it behind me and if they read about the incident, they might have a tough time getting over it. (Not sure if that makes sense)

Whatever you do, I support you.

utmommy said...

I also know people who have two blogs. You just have to do what you think is best for you. Good Luck!

Madam Crunchypants said...

It's definitely a quandry - I have a livejournal where I really kinda keep track of my life - sorta. It's much more boring than my blogger blog.

Regardless of what you choose, good luck

b. said...

You have to do what you feel is best for you, but.....
Even though I am pretty open and real on my regular blog, I do have a private one that I created to get ugly on. I've found that I don't use it very often.....I think it depends on who you know reads your blog.
I would miss you if you went strictly private.

Lee said...

well, what ever you do I will think of you and your family often.

If you go private, stop by the meetinghouse to say hello now and then.
Lee

Kevin and Brandi said...

Tonya if you decide to go private dont forget to let me in on the private secret! I LOVE reading your blog, and I miss talking to you so this is the next best thing when we can never catch up with each other.

Laine said...

Tonya. I've tried the two blog thing, and it doesn't work. I am similar to you, and that is why I went private. I invited people that I trusted and knew read my blog. There were some people reading that I didn't know, and they emailed me later, and I added them...but I didn't want just ANY tom, dick or harry reading about me and my life and feelings. I don't worry anymore about what I write, because everyone I read is someone I know (or someone I know know's them).