A couple weeks ago I was explaining to a friend about my starting this blog and how much I loved writing it and showing all the fun stuff I do.
Her literal reaction to this was "Oh no, not a blog" and then she rolled her eyes right at me!!
I was stunned. This was supposed to be a good friend of mine and I was trying to explain how important this has been to me and how much I've grow in the last couple of months because of it.
After the initial sting of my feelings being hurt wore off, I started to think more and more about what had happened.
Am I missing something here? Is there some sort of blog stigma out there that I am unaware of?
I really don't understand. To say "Oh no not a blog" to me is like saying "Oh no you read magazines" insert sarcastic eye roll here... Blogs aren't one thing... They are everything.
Personally, I would say that I'm mostly a craft blogger and just like magazines that's only one subject out of hundreds, thousands, possibly millions of the different subjects out there.
So I decided I needed answers from other bloggers. What do you think?
Do people just not fully understand what a blog is or is there a true aversion to them? Do I just have a mean friend? Have any of you faced any kind of criticism for being a blogger?
I encounter the same thing sometimes. Often the older generations don't quite grasp the concept (no offense to anyone older than myself). I'm 26 and technology is what I know...younger people probably know more because they've been surrounded by it since birth. Even people my own age sometimes shoot it down. They consider it a trend that will soon be taken over by something else. Bloggers are kind of like our own little species... :-)
ReplyDeleteI agree. I've found so much support and kindness from other bloggers. We definitely have our own little niche on the web. I have heard of people reviving harsh comments and such but I personally have had nothing but nice people, I think that's why I was so shocked by her reaction. Thanks so much for sharing your opinion!
DeleteI definitely don't think it's just you. When people aren't blog readers, they really have no idea how influential and huge the blogosphere is! For me, I love that I can use my background in writing at home. It is fun and it does help me grow. I get resistance not even with just blogging, but even that I'm okay with posting pictures of my children online. You would think by some reactions that I am considered a neglectful parent. I finally just decided that what I love and consider awesome isn't always what other do. And that's okay.
ReplyDeleteNicely put Shatzi :) I guess like everything in life, sometimes you just need to take things with a grain of salt and except it for what it is. Thanks for the reminder :)
DeleteI don't think some people understand it. I have to explain it to my friends over and over again. They cannot get the concept of following a blog. I got into it after following a couple of couponing sites. It is a great way to share information. I read a lot of reviews on products and places to visit. My blog is my little space where I can share my knowledge of these things.
ReplyDeleteMel S
www.twomomsalittletimeandakeyboard.blogspot.com
Well I'm glad I'm not the only one :) Funny story -- When I showed guy my blog for the first time he said "Oh, it's a website" So yes, some people just don't get what it is and how it works. I thinks it's unfortunate. No matter what your interests are there's a blog out there about it. Thanks for the comment :)
DeleteI've never had anything negative said to my face.... BUT I do think that there are those out there who just don't "get it".
ReplyDeleteIt's funny, because as I read the comments, I see some of me. I didn't grow up surrounded by technology. I'm 40. I didn't get internet until I was around 30. I am JUST NOW dipping my toes into posting pics of my kids online and I still don't even use my real name on Facebook! HAHA! I have just discovered the blogging world a couple of years ago, and I love it! EVERYTHING is literally at my fingertips! (Wow! Am I really that old??? I am far too immature to be 40! :P)
So, as far as your friend goes, (no matter what her age is) I am thinking that she just hasn't experienced the blogging world for herself, so she doesn't fully understand. Chalk her reaction up to ignorance and keep doing what you are doing. :-)
Thank you :) I'm definitely going to keep at it. I love blogging and wouldn't give it up for anyone. Thanks for commenting :)
DeleteI haven't really faced negativity, more like indifference. I can be really excited about a post or the growth of my blog and when I mention it or share it with friends or family, they have a muted happy reaction. My husband is the only one, who doesn't blog, that has a genuinely excited reaction. To me, it's just one of the areas in life where you have to network to find those that share your passion. Oftentimes it's usually fellow bloggers. Just my .02
ReplyDeleteThank you for your .02 :) I'm totally with you too. I get a lot that "happy" indifference. They are happy for me because I'm happy but I can see they don't really understand what I'm talking about sometimes.
DeleteI had what I think was a back handed compliment! She said, Oh a blog!, I find people who write blogs are egotistical and big headed. I am sure that you won't be though.... lol Silly woman.
ReplyDeleteI now follow via GFC and Super Stalker Sunday.
Wow now that is just rude! I think that's a defense mechanism that some people have. They don't understand something so they act defensive even confrontational at times. I would have said "Wow, what kind of blogs have you been reading!?!"
DeleteThanks for commenting and the follow.. Following you back via GFC :)
ha! I know what you mean...When I referred to my "blog friends" once, someone said, oh you mean like your facebook friends....and I thought about this for a minute or two. I think I interact with my blog friends more often and maybe in a more persona way than my facebook friends. Most people don't get it. My sweet 84 year old mother in law is the only person I know in my area who knows about blogging and reads my blog. I showed it to her one day and she was and is very supportive and I think she gets it! My husband is supportive enough to let me entertain a blog friend who was passing through. But my girlfriends...they don't get it and one girl even said..."sounds like a bunch of lonely housewives looking for approval".....OUCH! But, the satisfaction I get out of it and the inspiration I get from other craft bloggers (like you) is enough for me and I guess I don't care what the "non-bloggers" think!!!
ReplyDeleteAwe thank you so much Danni! My bloggy friends definitely get me and I'm so happy to have found this outlet for myself. It comes with such great people ;) It seems from all the comments that many bloggers deal with this type of resistance in one way or another from their non-blogging friends. At least we can all get together and share and laugh about it :) Thanks for commenting!
DeleteHi Jessica, Thanks for stopping by my blog and following, I am now happily following you too! Great ideas.
ReplyDeleteBlogging is funny. After over a year of blogging, some of my 'real life' friends don't even realize I have a blog and those who do never 'discuss' it. I don't know what it is... even a great friend of mine who is a business owner with websites doesn't give me the 'respect' I feel I deserve for my blog. I am extrememly proud of what I've done! I love to share and be a part of this wonderful community of bloggers- I've made lots and lots of great friends who support me in everyway here! My blog was built from the ground up by my hands... figuring out all this html and coding stuff and I'm darn happy I did.
I look at it this way, I do NOT understand those golfers{you know, the ones who walk around all day whacking tiny balls}, or those gamer addicts who play farville all day long {raising fake sheep and corn} BUT they are free to do what they want with their time and if it makes them happy-- go for it!
What I do LUV is finding a tute for a great recipe or winning an awesome new piece of jewelry so that when those friends ask where you got it from you can tell them 'thru my blog and the great network of friends I've made' Blogging is alot like reading or writing for one of the big mags like you mentioned, but there is a LOT of satisfaction knowing it is YOUR mag!
Hugs and Wishes for many great new days!
Kim
Thanks so much for the comment and the follow back :)
DeleteI love that you put it as YOUR mag. That's exactly it! It's mine. I've found my passion and I so enjoy the people, the inspiration, and showing my stuff off to whomever would like to see it. Thanks so much for the encouragement :)
I've encountered this too! It's really a shame that other people want to essentially put you down for what you love to do. A lot of people just don't understand the point of a blog, or what they are for. I find this particularly true with older generations. So I just tell people it is basically an online journal where I talk about my sewing and crafts and DIY things I do around the house. It makes more sense to people when you refer to it as a "journal".
ReplyDeleteI did however have a very uncomfortable moment with my best friend of 25 years recently....She asked what I was doing for the weekend and I told her I was going to a blog conference. She erupted in laughter and said "what for?". That stung. Especially coming from such a close friend of mine. It just about put me in tears. But, despite getting a similar reaction from several people, I went anyway and I'm so glad I did. You just have to do what you love to do and screw all the rest!
Ouch.. From your best friend? Coming from such a close friend is what make it sting. If a stranger said something of the sort I'd probably still be slightly offended but who cares it's someone I don't even know. But a friend, a good friend at that makes it hurt that much more.
DeleteThat's a great way to explain your blog too. I get how people who don't know about blogs would understand the concept of a journal better. I'm going to start using that too.
Thank you so much for sharing and the kind words :)
I'm sorry! Boo. I am a sensitive little soul and that would have hurt me as well. I think people just don't understand what it is all about if they are not doing it themselves. This is a huge community of people on here that you can share the things you have in common with, be encouraged, and be inspired by. Keep blogging if you love it!
ReplyDeleteVisiting from "sunday social" :]
Love on a Budget
Lol I've definitely been known to be a little bit on the sensitive side, so I TRY to think a situation through before I talk about it, especially online. But it's exactly like you said, this huge community of fabulous people understand and can sympathize. We are like minded people who share the same interests and hobbies and support each other. That's one of my absolute favorite things about blogging! Thanks so much for stopping by and commenting :)
DeleteI'm so sorry that a friend would say something like that. The thing to remember is that what you are doing is making you happy. You are enjoying what you are doing, and by the way, as you can see from the responses the rest of us are enjoying being on your journey with you. I don't really even tell people that I am writing a blog. Just recently some of my friends, they seem to be responding positively, but even though I want people to read my blog, I want them to read it because they want to, not because they are my friends. I find that strangers are a little more objective.
ReplyDeleteAnyway, keep up what you are doing. If it makes you happy that is all that is important, but you do seem to have lots of fans.
Debi
Thank you Debi! And you make an excellent point. We all want readers, but like you I don't want people to read it if they don't like it or don't want to. When I first started I didn't even open my blog to the public and told no one because I didn't know what was ahead of me. When I finally opened it to the public I told very few friends about it. Now a couple of months down the road I'm completely in love with it and I tell everyone. :)
DeleteThanks you for noticing all the comments too. I am overwhelmed by the response to this post!! I'm so appreciative of all the encouraging words and stories that people have shared. I really can't say thank you enough to everyone!
I think there is a definite aversion to "mommy bloggers". The stigma comes from those moms who document their "perfect" lives. What your friend probably doesn't understand is that this is a good and healthy creative outlet for you. It's okay to be excited about it!
ReplyDeleteFound you via the blog hop!
weddedblissplusbaby.blogspot.com
I totally agree Tracie. Parenting styles are so controversial that it's hard for moms to fathom a different way of raising their children.
DeleteAnd thanks so much for the healthy outlet comment! You hit the nail on the head :)