And this is the reason: I really like people who are open and honest and candid about their lives and heart and feelings and struggles. I really, really like that! I like to read blogs and books where people share from themselves, speaking from their inner heart and daily battles and personal victories. I like when people share their life with the world, and those are the kinds of bloggers and writers that I love to read. The blogs that I want to visit over and over again are the ones that talk openly about the big and hard and wonderful things, but also the small and daily and seemingly-inconsequential things. You know, those blogs that talk about the death of a loved one, or the challenges of parenting, or the emotional pain from a relationship or circumstance...but also the ones that tell you about the restless night, or the bargain score at a yard sale, or the way they feel when their husband looks at them with a twinkle in his eye. I love those blogs.
But I struggle being one of them.
I tend to be a pretty private person. Ok, actually, I tend to be a very private person. I do love to share my life, and I believe firmly in the beauty of doing that...but it is not something that comes naturally or easily for me. It's not that I don't trust people, because I have some truly exceptional people in my life. It's just that I tend to be a private person.
I also tend to hold to the mantra "quality over quantity" in pretty much every area of life (food, clothing, possessions, etc.), and maybe that's why I would rather keep my private thoughts to myself and a few select instead of sharing them with many. I don't know if that's a right or wrong way to be, but like everything else in the world, you need a balance. I think an amount of personal privacy is very appropriate, and I don't think anyone should spill everything little thing in their heart, mind, and soul to the world for perusal. It's valuable to hold things inside of yourself, or share some things with only your spouse or a trusted friend. But it's also innately valuable to share heart things, to share your own life and journey and battles to encourage and inspire others.
So I say all of that to say this: I truly do appreciate each and every one of you that take the time to read the things I write, and it's always such fun to read your comments and hear your thoughts on the things I write about. I really do love to share with you, and I don't always know how to balance the vulnerability and the privacy. But we're working on it!
We had another busy weekend of work around the house, and it's always fun to just get stuff done. Ben worked outside, finishing up the raised bed (which looks amazing!), and killing weeds, and working on the fireplace mantel we bought last weekend. I was inside cleaning, organizing, and baking up five pounds of praline bacon for a Father's Day treat for the men at our church. I loved doing it, even though my house still smells like bacon grease. Totally worth it!
Odd side note: I was totally craving C A K E this weekend. This is odd for me, because I'm really not a cake person. I like my sweets, and have some sort of dessert-y thing almost every day (not sorry), but cake just isn't my thing. But for some reason, I just wanted to sink my teeth into a totally soft and white-sugar-sweetened piece of cake. Thankfully, my baker-friend Kaylie made some of her famous cupcakes, which I enjoyed immensely during Sunday lunch with her family. Cake craving satisfied.
Another side note: I'm not craving cake because I'm pregnant...just making sure we're all clear on that. (smiley face)
Odd side note: I was totally craving C A K E this weekend. This is odd for me, because I'm really not a cake person. I like my sweets, and have some sort of dessert-y thing almost every day (not sorry), but cake just isn't my thing. But for some reason, I just wanted to sink my teeth into a totally soft and white-sugar-sweetened piece of cake. Thankfully, my baker-friend Kaylie made some of her famous cupcakes, which I enjoyed immensely during Sunday lunch with her family. Cake craving satisfied.
Another side note: I'm not craving cake because I'm pregnant...just making sure we're all clear on that. (smiley face)
Some links:
- Love this.
Have an A M A Z I N G week, dearies!
What about you: do you find it difficult to balance vulnerability and privacy?
I'd love to hear your thoughts!
Have an A M A Z I N G week, dearies!
What about you: do you find it difficult to balance vulnerability and privacy?
I'd love to hear your thoughts!
I so understand this. All of this. The struggle between walking in the light and hiding, what that means personally with your husband or closest friends vs. what that means with the Internet, knowing how to maintain privacy while be vulnerable. Hard but good questions and ones I think we keep asking and adjusting on over time. ps I have learned the hard way how painful it can be when you share something with the world that you probably shouldn't so don't feel bad about thinking through what you share! It is wisdom.
ReplyDeletepps I love reading here.
Thanks for the encouragement, Shanna. Keep asking and adjusting over time: I think that is so key.
DeleteThanks for reading!
You had me scared there, for a second I thought you were saying you were going to quite blogging! Whew, glad that's not the case :)
ReplyDeleteDitto what Shanna said.
Well, I have my moments, Miss Kate. ;) But then once inspiration hits again, I'm like, yeah, I'll blog.
DeleteThanks for reading!
yes Kate, those were my thoughts as well, Alicia i totaly understand what you are saying!! reading your blog is always invigerateing even tho i dont always reply..but i do press like..and i really do. !!
DeleteThanks, grandmom! I love having you read and you're always such an encourager. :)
DeleteI was recently introduced to your blog by my sister, and I have been drawn to it so much. There is such a beautiful spirit that comes from it, one of strength, and gentleness, and love. Thank you for writing, for sharing your gifts with us! As someone who blogs at times, I well understand the struggle you are speaking of... It is one I continually battle as well. Good comment up above on continually evaluating and readjusting - well said.
ReplyDeleteCheers!
Thanks for reading, Clarita! I could say all of the same things about your blog.
DeleteI love this. so true. I think it is a constant struggle for all of us bloggers.
ReplyDeleteFor whatever its worth...I think you have discovered a really good balance. =)
Thank you, Chelsy! We'll keep working in keeping good balance.
DeleteSomehow I missed this entire post, and what a terrible one to skip over! Personally, I think you are far on the right track for posts, subject diversity/how often you post/the way you write. Do not be discouraged, my friend. "It's not always rainbows and butterflies, its compromise"as our friend Adam Lavigne says. ;] I follow what you say about being private, but I think the key is that when you DO post about deeper-maybe-uncomfortable things, its done so honestly that no matter how often or much you chose to say about them, it's impacting. I don't think it's wrong to hesitate before baring some things, but maybe if the thought keeps nagging at you then that is God encouraging you to share with a reader that needs it that day at that moment. To wrap this long-winded post up, I'm a "fan" of beautiful undefined. And YOU.
ReplyDelete