I was putting away a book this morning, it was called Being an Authentic Christian. It made me smile to see that title because authenticity has been on my heart for awhile now. One of the reasons I have been thinking about it is because of this blog.
This particular forum lends itself to a lack of authenticity. It's easy for one to let the world see only the good things. It's something I think most all bloggers struggle with. I know I have struggled in this area on my blog. But, certainly not on purpose, mind you. It's simply in my nature to keep things on the upbeat. I am not one of those people who just naturally let's it all hang out. That isn't me. I am more private, careful who I talk to about what. But, my most important reason is that I don't find joy or even relief in pouring out all my ick, my troubles, my worries, my issues on masses of people who have enough of their own; people who may not necessarily want to hear about my crappy day.
But, in saying that, I do want to become more transparent with you all (I desperately wanted to write y'all right there! It's all I hear down here so it's starting to infiltrate my vocabulary) it is important to me that you get to see the real deal here on this blog. And you have been getting that - the real Andrea - but only in part; I want to give you the other part of me. The one that struggles with motherhood, the one that is wading through this thing called marriage, the one that wonders if I am becoming the woman I really want to be, the one who is figuring out boundaries and all that comes along with that; you know life stuff.
Don't expect me to start whining about my bad day or complaining about friends or my children, or even telling you all the gory details (though I will tell you some if you really want to know!). Like I said before, it's not me to act in that manner. But, what I want you to know is this: I am not perfect and I don't have it all together; I am human, just like you.
And I want you to know me.
So, here's to blog authenticity... it won't always be pretty but it will be real. Yo.
*Post from 1 year ago today: Apple Picking and I am Pregnant Yet Again
This particular forum lends itself to a lack of authenticity. It's easy for one to let the world see only the good things. It's something I think most all bloggers struggle with. I know I have struggled in this area on my blog. But, certainly not on purpose, mind you. It's simply in my nature to keep things on the upbeat. I am not one of those people who just naturally let's it all hang out. That isn't me. I am more private, careful who I talk to about what. But, my most important reason is that I don't find joy or even relief in pouring out all my ick, my troubles, my worries, my issues on masses of people who have enough of their own; people who may not necessarily want to hear about my crappy day.
But, in saying that, I do want to become more transparent with you all (I desperately wanted to write y'all right there! It's all I hear down here so it's starting to infiltrate my vocabulary) it is important to me that you get to see the real deal here on this blog. And you have been getting that - the real Andrea - but only in part; I want to give you the other part of me. The one that struggles with motherhood, the one that is wading through this thing called marriage, the one that wonders if I am becoming the woman I really want to be, the one who is figuring out boundaries and all that comes along with that; you know life stuff.
Don't expect me to start whining about my bad day or complaining about friends or my children, or even telling you all the gory details (though I will tell you some if you really want to know!). Like I said before, it's not me to act in that manner. But, what I want you to know is this: I am not perfect and I don't have it all together; I am human, just like you.
And I want you to know me.
So, here's to blog authenticity... it won't always be pretty but it will be real. Yo.
*Post from 1 year ago today: Apple Picking and I am Pregnant Yet Again
11 Comments:
See I created my blog as a means for my family back in South Africa to stay up to date with what we're doing and to watch the kids growing.
I'm VERY open on my blog, I don't think there's really that much I wouldn't talk about, but it's just the kind of person I am. I don't necessarily talk about every detail of my life, but I tend to let it all out in the open, if something is not right or going wrong, I talk about it and if something is wonderful then I mention it too.
I think everyone needs to go with what is comfortable for them :)
Hugs,
Sandra
Being authentic, real, can be hard. But know you are loved on this blog. Why do you think I keep coming back? Plus I just love the pictures of your children. :)
Amen.
I read some blogs and I feel like I'm a crappy mom. All these other moms seem to have it so much more together then I, they seem to be breezing thru motherhood. I'm the black sheep of mommy blogs sometimes! I think its great to show the cracks here and there. Everyone is human and nothing is perfect.
Here's to being authentic!
I struggle with this. I was talking to one of my best friends the other day. She told me she was looking at my blog at work and a coworker came up and wanted to look. So they scrolled through and the coworker got really quiet. My friend asked her what was wrong and she said " I'm jealous.". She said " They just have the perfect family, I wish I had that.". My friend, knowing all sides of me and my family, just told her not to be. We are not the perfect family. My goodness, I have a 12 year old, a 2 year old and a 5 month old. Most days I am cuhrazy. :) I created my blog for purposes of keeping family updated when we moved. It's hard to lay it all out there. I posted something the other day about a bad day I was having and shortly after received a call from my mother in law and my mother.
I do love your blog and your pictures are wonderful. Thanks for sharing.
I struggle with the same thing. I want to be authentic, but sometimes struggle with where to draw the line. I can tell people my house is a mess, but I don't usually broadcast pictures! lol! I've also read blogs where when bloggers have tried to be authentic and share their pain, others have accused them of whining. (which is completely RIDICULOUS!)
I do love authenticity though. It makes people seem "real". When I first started blogging, I compared myself to every other blogger. I wasn't a good enough mother, wife, homekeeper (okay, so this one's true), cook, etc... I had to learn to be happy with who I was and how God made me. My blog even transformed into more like me.
And just so you know...I don't mind reading about your crappy day. We all have them. We will love you in spite of them! :)
This is something I struggle with on the blog as well...and in real life. Usually when I'm quiet, it's because I'm not having such a great week. But, I'm trying...see my last post. I want people to know that just because I'm a Christian doesn't mean I don't struggle with my marriage, with my kids, with life. I want to be real on my blog, but I don't want to condemn specific people or situation, so I still filter alot.
As for you Andrea, I think your blog is pretty awesome and I'm sure I'll love the transparent Andrea as much as the censored.
Andrea, this post was awesome.
I confess that I struggle with being authentic on my blog.
The good times are few and most the time far between each other, and if I was completely authentic my blog would be depressing.
Maybe that's why I've lost some of my readers/commenters.
I miss seeing your comments and hearing from you.
Hooray! I love this post!
I have been mulling over thoughts about authenticity this week too--especially in regard to who I am on my blog.
Kudos to your courage. Would you mind if I linked to this post in the next week or two?
BTW, I stumbled over here from Barefoot Blogs.
I know that for me, I tend to only blog about certain things because other things are private. To me certain things shouldn't be "broadcasted" on the internet.
Anyways, I have been drawn to your blog and can't stay away. I have throughly enjoyed reading your blog over the past few weeks and I love the pictures.
I just wanted to say thank you for opening your life to us other bloggers out there. :)
Have a good one.
I'm here because I know Mer and she linked to you today. :) Hey! I grew up in the Air Force! Anyway.
Great post! I struggle with that a little, too; I think we all probably do to some extent.
Nice to meet ya. :) Love that red hair.
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