Thursday, December 18, 2008

Do You Keep Your Blog Secret?

As I've written here before, I keep up with a fair number of blogs on a regular basis. Some of them are huge, with a massive readership; a couple are family blogs written by personal friends. As I was commenting on some blogs today, I started wondering: do most people tell their family members and "real world" friends about their blogs?

My husband knows that I have a blog, and he is free to read it anytime. I haven't, however, told any of my family members about it, and I don't plan to in the future. Some of my co-workers know, but they have never asked to see it, and I'm fine with that. None of my church friends know about my blog, nor does my closest buddy; the only friends who have ever read it are a couple of former co-workers whose blogs I follow.

I think I've figured out why I like "hiding" my blog. Writing gives me an opportunity to sort through some of the things that bug me (hopefully in a humorous fashion), and sometimes that includes family members or co-workers. It's like having someone to talk to who is completely objective. I like that. It's kind of therapeutic.

6 comments:

Kathy said...

I'll admit it. I'm a total blog whore. I tell everyone who seems remotely interested in my writing about the blog. There are tons of things I can't write about (work-related), but I can't because so many of my work associates read it regularly. It is good to keep things secret if you want to stay semi-private, but I'm so "out there" that it just means I have to censor myself sometimes. I toy with the idea of starting a new blog about my client interactions at work, which are often humorous or infuriating. That one I'd have to keep secret from them.

Great food for thought here!

JD at I Do Things said...

I'm another blog whore! But I will say, it's a good thing my mother-in-law doesn't own a computer. And, Dad, if you have free wi-fi in Heaven, well . . . sorry!

JD at I Do Things

Jeff and Charli Lee said...

I just don't want my staff reading my blog because it's hard enough to keep them on task. Other than that... the more the merrier!

absepa said...

Kathy: Your way is probably the best, as far as encouraging people to read your blog. I mean, who's going to be more encouraging than people who already care about you? Even with all the secrecy, I still worry that one of my co-workers will recognize themselves on my blog.

JD: I've never read anything bad about your mother-in-law on your blog! Is it that you and Dave don't want her to know all your business? That's part of the reason why I haven't told my family about my blog. They're kind of nosy anyway.

Jeff: Thanks for commenting! I try to stay away from all blog-related activities at work myself, but it isn't always easy...especially when I see that you, JD, or Kathy has a new post. Then I can hardly wait to get home and post comments.

Maggie said...

I have never made an attempt to hide my blog, but I did feel really weird when I got comments from people I know in real life. Like I had been "found out" or something.

absepa said...

Maggie: I don't know that I actually hide my blog, so much as just neglecting to mention it. I think I would feel really weird if my close friends read it.

I really like your blog! You have some beautiful handmade things there. Your post about making Christmas gifts really struck a chord--I got in WAY over my head last year.