28 Jun 2011
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Censoring My Blog to Death

Next month is my one year blogiversary. I can’t believe all the places my blog has gone in the past 11 months, places I never dreamed it would go when I started. However, I can’t help but think of all the places it hasn’t quite yet reached. Once you are submerged in this blogging society, you get an up close look at the potential your blog can have.

Needless to say, I am not reaching my potential…yes this is coming on the heels of yesterday’s PR update…

When I first started this blog, I knew that nobody was reading it. I could write it honestly. I didn’t worry about how people interpreted my words or how they saw me after they did. As my blog grew, I started getting feedback from friends and family members. They enjoyed my writing and only had positive things to say, which was very nice to hear. It’s always nice to be loved!

But then I started having a very hard time finding something to write about…

It’s not that I am at a loss for ideas. My head is constantly swirling with sarcastic commentary, my kids often leave me speechless but always provide great writing material and I have a wonderfully dynamic relationship with my husband that frequently produces a ranting monologue. The problem is…now everyone is reading it! *gasp* Readers are what every writer dreams of but I find myself censoring myself  away.

These days I am wondering “how will so and so interpret this?” “Will so and so think of me differently?” This has left me with a long list of drafts, started but never finished. At the end of the month, I toss more drafts than I actually posted.

So here is my vow. I will end my days of censoring! (Imagine some very triumphant music here) My blog is my baby and I want to do everything I can to help it grow and live up to it’s full potential.

How about other bloggers? How do you deal with censoring when you have family and personal friends who read your work? I’d love your feedback!


  • http://ohrheally.com Rhea

    I am constantly censoring myself because God forbid I offend my husband or mother. (UGH). I had half a mind to start a new blog and not tell anyone the name of it, but I just don't have the energy to maintain 2 sites. So I try to be as honest as I can, while protecting the “innocent” lol

  • http://www.blogger.com/profile/06143021288859691733 Beth M

    I don't really write personal stuff on my blog. I had/have/whatever a kiddo blog that I haven't updated in forever. My blog is changing though so I like your idea of not censoring!:)

  • http://www.blogger.com/profile/12907505775593685411 Twingle Mommy

    Man did you pick a good day for this topic! My father in law just called my husband screaming at him about my post. I posted that we are about to file a lawsuit. He was livid that I would warn the company of our intentions. Does is really matter? And do you really think a company that has no idea we are going to sue them has decided to stalk my blog just in case? REALLY???
    As you can tell, I'm so annoyed by this. I wish he could have calmly stated his case and asked me nicely to take it down. Instead of screaming and freaking out. Sometimes I wish I would have kept my blog private and never told my family about it. I'm always watching what I'm saying so I don't upset my family.
    By the way, my husband said my post was fine before I published it. I wanted to make sure it didn't have anything bad in it since it was about him. The post was up for 20 whole minutes before he called yelling. UGH!

  • http://www.blogger.com/profile/12442334953395787362 Lindsay

    This is something I struggle with on a daily basis. I also have lots of things that I'd like to write about, but I know that my friends, family, co-workers and church members read my blog and I don't want to offend or incriminate myself (for lack of a better term). It's hard and I'm still not sure how to address it.

  • http://www.blogger.com/profile/03630995588055756319 Jessica

    Thanks ladies! It's good to know I'm not alone!

  • http://www.blogger.com/profile/13504897894060883329 cookiesANDclogs

    I often send things to my DH first to see if it's too personal. I mostly talk about things that I wouldn't mind anyone heard. That's part of who I am and my blog is not my emotional outlet. It just depends on your blogging goals and type of blogger you want to be.

  • http://onescrappymom.com Bobbie

    I have personally struggled with this a few times. I have in the end went with my gut. My readers are there because they get the truth, the good the bad and the ugly. They love the sarcasm I put into daily life topics and it keeps them coming back. I know that it probably miffs my family and friends from time to time, but the bottom line is it's MY blog, and MY outlet. I have however, stopped posting on my personal FB page my entries. I find that most of my family/friends don't go looking to read, they were just clicking. I get enough traffic from my blog FB page and my blog readers losing those few that just 'clicked' didn't hurt. Good luck!

  • http://www.blogger.com/profile/03630995588055756319 Jessica

    Thanks Bobbie! I think you're right, not having my posts go to my personal facebook page would most likely get rid of any family that's reading. I don't think they search me out either, they are just clicking.

  • http://openid.aol.com/opaque/85af34dc-a26c-11e0-a983-000bcdcb471e 85af34dc-a26c-11e0-a983-000bcdcb471e

    I'm so happy to see you've made this decision. I write for me too, it's the best thing to do.

  • http://fabgrandma.com Karen

    I have to censor too. My father in law reads my blog every day, and has even called me to ask if I was ok if I don't post in a couple of days. So, I can't write anything about my in-laws, or about my husband's health because even though my husband is 62, his parents still think of him as their little boy. Ugh.

    And then there is MY family. I thought I would be safe to write about my mother, but no! Though she does not even own a computer, I found out the hard way that my sister was calling Mom and reading my blog to her. So, I can't even rant about that.

    I do try to be as honest as possible, and I do “tell all” about me, because when it comes to ME, frankly, I don't give a damn. It is after all, MY LIFE. but like someone else said, I really wish I had not told family about my blog in the beginning so that I could write about more parts of my life without recrimination.

  • http://www.blogger.com/profile/12503807361268575525 Gina

    Here's how I handle it… I DON'T! It's my blog, if they don't like what they read then they simply don't have to read it!

  • http://www.blogger.com/profile/17310177636770056976 Kassandra @ Coffee and their Kisses

    I have to agree with Gina! I'm the same person on my blog that you'd meet if we went for coffee. I'm loud, spunky, and sarcastic, but also loving and friendly. Now there are some very very person details that I don't share because it's not just my “secret” to share. Other than that, if they don't like me, well then that's just too damn bad :o ) BTW, I came over from the Mom Dot forum!

  • http://www.blogger.com/profile/06720460704738508131 Kenda

    My general rule is: If I wouldn't want someone else saying it about my family/friends then I don't say it on my blog. Otherwise it's fair play: they know me and know how I am ;)

  • http://www.blogger.com/profile/05652316452712294375 Hil'Lesha

    Just be yourself! Some of the most popular bloggers out there don't censor themselves. It's your blog. Enjoy it! :)

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