I have some. Hard core.
As I sit here, stumbling around the blog-o-sphere, I find myself getting envious of some of the blogs I happen across. The blogs just seem so sweet and simple. And then I read a few posts and the author seems incredibly happy and blessed. And it just spills over into every word she writes. It's a tangible feeling, exuding blessings.... and while it makes me smile, I also get a bit jealous.
I think of myself as a happy person. I have a great life, with great people in it. But I'm about 1000 percent sure that I don't bubble over with pink sparkly love. My writing style isn't charming by any stretch... should it be?
On the one hand, I like having readers. But the blogs that I read that I envy, they don't seem to care about the numbers, but they have quite the following.
Of course, there's also the satirical blogs that make fun of the ones I'm talking about, but those ones aren't funny to me. I mean, why do we have to make fun of people that truly are happy in the life they've chosen?
I know you've all come across a one of the "happy blogs" and tell me, do you think they're painting a picture? Just glossing over the details? Or do you think they really have that great of a life?
Inquiring minds want to know.
Wednesday, September 3, 2008
Blog Envy
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12 comments:
I almost posted something about this just today! I don't know. Maybe some people just really always have a great attitude and therefore paint a rosy picture.
But...
underneath it all the roses, aren't we all the same? We all have some struggle or another to write about. It's just that not everyone chooses to be honest about that. I think.
I do know some people who are always happy-ish though....
To cut this short, I just want to say I love blogs that are a mix of both. The honesty of both sides of life. We all experience both the good and the bad. I like it when people talk about both.
Good question!
Their painting a picture baby. I mean, yes... they are good things that happen and sure we want to tell our friends and fam about them. However for the most part, ppl. don't spill it on their blogs. The typical blogger isn't going to write about how her DH cheated on her or has addictions, or how she is about ready to go bankrupt, or how her oldest child was arrested for drugs etc.
I think that is why some blogs are so popular. Because they are "real". Sure, they still have the cutsy stuff, and the first day of school etc, but they are also about real life that ppl. can really relate to.
I think blogs can be great things, but they can also be destructive if they make you feel degraded, insulted, or make you feel less of yourself or that you aren't as good as someone else. It really requires self checking - meaning don't let "the adversary" make you think you are less than you are. I could go on and on...
Sorry for the ramble - this mommy brain is fried. :) Thanks for keepin' it real dawg. :)
For the record, I enjoy your blog. I, myself, follow blogs of people who seem to 'let it all hang out'. I find myself drawn in and starting to really care about the situation.
I actually find fake happy blogs (Seriously So Blessed) hilarious. Mainly because I know people who seriously BELIEVE that they are the center of the universe. I mean, come on. A newlywed blog posts about 3 cars totaled in a matter of weeks since getting married. The latest accident, according to her, was that at the right moment, A DEER DECIDED TO JUMP OUT ON THE HIGHWAY AND HIT HER HUSBAND'S CAR. And she ends her post by lamenting her fortune that a deer would inflict on her this tragic inconvenience. (Enter Daddy who saves the day, buys a new car and pays the insurance). No lie. I am related to this person...
I just discovered your blog, but I really enjoy it. I don't think I know you well enough to envy, yet ;-)
I get blog envy. But I try to step back and figure out what it is about their lifestyle that I envy, and if it's even realistic for my life right now. If I can step back and say 'yeah, there's no way on earth I'm toting my toddler all over the world, but I wouldn't change a thing," it's easier to let go. Other times, I've seen that it has been something wonderful to incorporate in my life.
Whew, there. That's all the Pollyanna I've got in me today.
I've never been here before, but I just love your envy pic! See how creative you are? Who needs sublime peace and contentment when a little envy has so much more spice! I think it's just easy to write about the fab side of things. Only the gutsy take on the mundane and irritating, because it's harder to pull it off and make it readable. Enjoyed the blog!
Just think of those 'happy blogs' the same way you think of a Christmas newsletter....If that's all you know about someone you'd think their life is FABULOUS!! When you really know someone, you know the reality....some things in their lives are fabulous, some are not...those people are just choosing to write a 'Christmas Newsletter' every day!
I find that when it comes to my own blog things...shift a lot. Sometimes I think I experience those happy bubbly moments, and sometimes? Wow...deep dark abysmal stuff. I find it easier to write on the things I'm focused on. When I'm trying really hard to be happy, it shows in my writing. When I'm giving in to frustration and overwhelmedness, that shows.
Maybe those bloggers are just more focused, I don't know.
I feel that envy too, at times. And yet it's weird not to know if I'm envying something real or not.
Either way, it's nice to have a dose of sugar every now and again to make life seem sweeter.
Not too much though. Like the real thing, I can only handle so much sugar, you know?
i hear you, sister. you gotta read this
http://laughingatlifeslittlewedgies.blogspot.com/2008/08/before-its-too-late.html
my take on blog envy...
Gotta tell ya. I have one of those "happy" blogs. Just the run-of-the-mill, here's my family and what we're up to blogs. BUT we have crap going on in our lives, too. I just choose not to air my dirty laundry for the world to see, mainly because I don't want to ever ever ever sound like I'm saying, "Poor me."
However, I do appreciate a good tell all post on others' blogs and admire those that are open with what's REALLY going on in their lives.
I recently stumbles upon a blog where she had a post or two on her depression and the meds she was taking for it. I found it refreshing to read.
I'm catching up on the past few days, and I'll tell you what my blog envy is: I envy people who actually have time to blog! On a daily basis! Part of me wishes I could blog every day, and then I panic and wonder, what did so-n-so say on her blog today and what did I miss? And will MY post ever make it on MMB??!! Or am I just not funny enough? What if I don't get as many comments as that other blogger? Does that mean I'm just boring? And how do all those people actually have time to do this? How many children are they neglecting in the process?
Okay, time for a tree pose...
Then I sit back and relax. That's what blogs should be, I think. A chance to just BREATHE -- and a way to catch up on (and/or vent) what's happening in your own life and the lives of friends and possibly even strangers (such as myself -- oh, yeah, hi, by the way!) that might just possibly be going through the exact same thing you are. Or have gone through. Or will. You never know who you can learn from!
So thanks. You're not alone!
In general, I envy people who look at things simply and have a positive outlook. I wish I had that gift naturally.
I like people who have that gift, but I don't spend hours talking about life with them or spend more than a minute glancing at their newest scrapbook page/blog post.
The people and the blogs that interest me are the ones with an honest approach to the joys and the difficulties of life. I feel closer to people who are imperfect like I am.
But I do envy the peace that comes with the half-full, silver-lining people. Every time I look for a silver lining, I find one. It's just attached to a huge raincloud.
Lets not lie. I'm dang good at glossing on the blog. Leaving out the drama and the not so happy things...In the flesh I am not a sugar coating queen, no. no. no. But I really try to focus on the good things in life -something that I have redoubled & tripled my efforts in this year because the negativity was a strong undertow and it was sucking out everything good in me. SO my friends end up reading a "sparkly" yellow blog. I think I'm more real to life on my private one. What say you?? Hmm. This has got me wondering if I'm psychitzo?
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