Dru- Fortunately, no one really cares about what I’m writing. They’re just like, “Oh, it’s just Dru, he’s from the internet.” I do understand being more open on the internet and more private in real life. Except there’s a big difference- on the internet, I can be very open about what I choose to write about (and what I don’t write about) and some things are more appropriate in a written blog format rather than waiting for a situation for you to talk about in real life.
That’s the thing- when you’re writing in cyberspace, you really don’t know who or if anyone is reading, so it’s more like you’re just talking to yourself. In real life, if you tell someone something, they don’t say “too long, didn’t hear”, but you also don’t know if they care to hear about your musing about your childhood growing up or how bad the traffic you’re stuck in is either. In cyberspace, people tell you they don’t care about what you just wrote much more freely. So in that sense, the internet is a little more freeing because it’s just like bouncing ideas off yourself at any given moment without worrying about anyone caring (see: any twitter account or my endless facebook status updates).
Steph: The internet is weird. There is this mystery about how your computer screen automatically gives you the courage that you didn’t have before. A sense of empowerment. Maybe it’s the anonymity or that no one REALLY knows who you are - you can make up ANYONE and ANYTHING. Even in fashion blogging, no one really knows who I am, even if I’m taking photos of myself on a daily basis. Readers may FEEL like they do, but do they really? As a writer, you don’t feel it.
Anyway, I just always make sure I never say anything offensive and I hope that what I write either comforts, inspires, or makes people laugh. If you are comfortable talking about your issues because you feel like it helps you (or others) cope, then that’s perfectly reasonable and somewhat noble. That’s why I feel like I can talk about my family / growing up. It’s nothing I wouldn’t say to anyone’s face and it’s gotten pretty good reception, so I will continue to do it.
Ryan’s more concerned about my safety and revealing TOO much information, so I think I’m learning to strike a pretty good balance.
Do what feels right to you - don’t regret posting anything if you feel comfortable doing it and you think it’s the right choice. You’re not ASKING for people to read or give you support, but by putting yourself out there, you could be supporting others. You don’t know.
