Today I was at lunch with my co-workers, and the topic naturally went to food. One of the women I work with is a total foodie and appreciates a good meal and restaurant just as much as I do. It doesn’t surprise me that even when I’m not talking about blogging, the discussion goes to food.
I can’t help it — I love food. Food is a huge part of my life (duh), and I can’t help but sharing my knowledge with others.
During the course of the conversation, two of my co-workers began talking about a blog they read, Kristen at Iowa Girl Eats.
Immediately, I began to clam up. My heart began racing and my palms began to sweat. I became a passive conversationalist and didn’t add much to the conversation.
This reaction — coming from a food blogger? This doesn’t make much sense, would you agree? Coming from someone who is absolutely passionate about blogging and the community, I was more than disappointed with myself in this predicament.
Before I started my blog in June 2010, I had been reading blogs since Fall 2008. I frequented Kath, Tina, Self’s Eat Like Me, and Caitlin before I ever even considered that starting my own blog would be a good idea. When I began my blog, it was a spur of the moment decision. I didn’t really think it through, which was probably for the best. If I would have thought it through, I most likely wouldn’t have started it to begin with. I usually like to play it safe in life — I’m a rule follower — I’m afraid to get into trouble. I like to keep things simple.
So when I began Clean Eating Chelsey, I didn’t tell anyone. I would take pictures in a secretive manner, write only when I was alone, and kept this part of my life separate from everything else. I don’t know why I did this — maybe I was embarrassed? Nervous about what other people would think? Either way, it became difficult to be a good blogger without really “believing” in my blog. If I wanted it to be successful and for others to enjoy reading it, I had to be true to myself by telling others.
I started by telling my mom. Turns out, she already knew and was already reading it.
How does that happen? Moms know everything I guess.
I slowly started sharing it with others. My mom became my biggest advocate, sharing my site with everyone.
It wasn’t until the Husband and I were married for over a month that I shared it with him. How in the world I kept this a secret from him for that long is absolutely beyond me. Once again, he loved me for my passion. He began telling more people than I could count all about my blog and couldn’t be more proud of me. He beams from cheek to cheek when he tells others about Clean Eating Chelsey.
What was I so afraid of? I’m not sure — of people maybe thinking I was “weird” — that I was “the girl who took pictures of my food”? None of those things happened. Everyone thought it was so neat I was writing a blog and well, Clean Eating Chelsey has been more and more successful since I’ve been telling people. Makes sense right? Get the word out and a product/brand becomes more successful? Of course! Now, I tell everyone who will listen (and even some who don’t want to) about my blog. I love talking about it. I love the blogging community and what it has brought to my life.
But when I was talking to my co-workers today, I didn’t want to share this part of my life. I didn’t want to expose this part of myself to them for reasons I’m not sure of — which seems silly since I expose myself to thousands of people I don’t know each and every day. I never even give a second thought to the fact people I know read this — I’m glad they do.
I guess all I’m saying is.. I’m weird. And I’m semi-ashamed of myself for not saying anything. But I’m kind of happy I didn’t.
Indecisiveness runs through my body like a glass of wine on the last day of school. (read: that’s a lot of indecisiveness)
Question: What would you have done in this situation? Do you tell your co-workers about your blog? If you don’t have a blog, do you share personal information with your co-workers?
{ 107 comments… read them below or add one }
I’m glad you posted this, because I feel the same way about my blog. I clam up about it and when people ask me I change the topic of conversation. Which is always very strange because they’re almost always complimenting me for it or praising it. Why do we do it? Who knows. But I get immediately embarrassed despite the fact that it’s not embarrassing.
I totally understand - I guess I’m a modest person, and don’t really like to talk about my achievements (even though I write for the whole world to see? It doesn’t make sense.).
I can understand why you didn’t tell your co-workers. When I first started my blog, I swore my husband to secrecy. The #1 reason I wanted it to remain a secret was because my sister-in-law and her (at the time boyfriend) husband are vegan. I was afraid of what they would think. Would they judge me? It was a few months before I felt comfortable enough to tell them. And they were sooo supportive. But, if I had it to do all over again, I would still have kept it a secret in the beginning.
By the way, my husband never reads my blog and my friends and family read my blog much less than complete strangers or “blog friends” do. Ha!
Everyone in my family BUT my husband reads it - but he still talks about it all the time! haha!
That’s interesting that you reacted that way, usually I find that most bloggers either tell everyone they know about their blog or they don’t tell anyone; usually it’s not in between! haha. I think sometimes we can just get in weird moods or feel insecure for whatever reason but I’m sure it will pass. I probably would have told my co-worker about my blog, but I would have been nervous! Oh, and for the record, I don’t think you should EVER feel nervous about telling anyone about your blog, it rocks!
Not everyone I know knows about my blog. My family does, but I try to keep it somewhat under wraps around co-workers. Although, there’s nothing on my blog that would put my job in jeopardy, so I guess it doesn’t matter too much.
It is kind of a weird thing… but I do my best to embrace it!!
I’m the same way! My husband will be the first one to say “My wife writes a blog - you should check it out!” And I always have that look on my face that says, “oh, whatever - just ignore him.” I don’t know why - I’m proud of my blog and I enjoy writing it. But I have a hard time saying “hey - check out my blog!”
I only started my blog recently, but the only person that I’ve really TOLD is my Dad. I don’t know if anyone else in my family knows though, even though I’m sure that they would be incredibly supportive!
I totally understand your hesitation — being face to face with people makes it much more difficult to share than if you are just talking via a computer.
I’m actually the same way. I started my blog for me, and as much as I love being apart of the blogging community, I feel scared to share this part of my life with the outside world. I’m a secret picture taker too, don’t worry
About two months ago I finally shared my blog with Paul (my boyfriend) and I was SO nervous!! I don’t know why though, because he loved it. I’ve started to get over my fear of people finding out that I blog (why do I have this fear? I’ll never understand it.), but at the same time I still don’t tell many people about it. If they find it, great! If not, well it’s my little secret. Just know that what you felt/did, I’m doing too. You’re not alone!! 
I’m definitely not a secret picture taker anymore! Only when I’m with my coworkers, but now the structure of my blog is different so I don’t take pictures at every meal.
I have never blogged but when I wrote freelance, I never told anyone for a while so I can definitely relate. Once I told someone, I received so much support and my “proud aunts” were sharing my articles by email, facebook, etc.I think it’s sooo cute that your mom already knew though! Moms know everything
If I got into freelance, I would scream it for the entire world!!!
I totally understand not wanting to share that part of you with people at work… I’m the same way with some people.
BUT… if they are reading blogs, what happens when they stumbleupon (hee!) yours? there’s that six degrees of separation thing, and in the blog world, WOW, you know how intermingled it all is. do you ever comment Kristen’s blog? anyway, just a thought… what do you think their reaction would be?
aha that was my FIRST thought! I have commented on her blog once or twice, but I think it would be hilaaarious if they found me through other blogs!!! I know it will happen sooner or later now!
As you know from the tweets this afternoon, I tell some (not all) of my coworkers about my blog. I guess I really don’t expect any of them to read regularly, so it doesn’t matter to me. But I totally understand your point of view. After I saw your tweet this afternoon, I started thinking about who all knows about my blog at work. Even though I would never say anything negative, I do think I censor my topics a lot because I know my audience goes beyond my close family, good friends, and total (kinda) strangers. I don’t know if I’m making any sense at this point, but I guess I’m just saying that I see your point.
Great post!
My mother and my fiance’ both know my blog exists (only as of a few days ago), but somehow the topic of conversation changed and I think they both forgot, and neither one has asked to see it yet. I don’t know why I’m so hesitant to share it with my family and friends, much less coworkers.
I totally understand! I want to start a blog but am sooooooo afraid for the people I love to read it. Also, things that I would write about are the things they already know… And, how to write about my life without including them? They are my life….. I dunno….
Any whooooo…….. School out? Wine in the fridge?
wine in my belly - okay, not really, but I want it to be!!
How the heck did you keep it “safe” from your husband for so long?! haha. I’m sort of shy about mine, too. While I don’t go out of my way to hide it, I don’t come right out with “I have a food blog! Go read it!” More like…if the subject comes up, I may or may not pipe up. My co-workers aren’t aware of it. That I know of. I probably would have kept quiet in your situation, too! Not sure I’m too keen on the idea of them knowing in case…I don’t know…something slips out or something.
I guess I don’t really care if they know, but I was just taken aback when they started talking about food blogs. I know they’re going to stumble on mine! So do I be the mature person and tell them or do I wait it out? haha!
Oh - and I don’t know how I kept it from him for so long! I guess because before we were married, we didn’t live together, so he was never around when I blogged!
glad you posted this.. because the only person that i’ve told is my BF about my blog. i have the same thoughts, and i look at it as my escape from everyone i know and share in this different community. i dont know, maybe i’ll talk about it one day.. but i’m not sure if i would have told my coworkers.. tricky! but i know how you feel
I can relate-I hide my blog from the co-workers in my department and I would feel the same way you did if they started talking about another food blog that I read and commented on. I actually told one co-worker I trusted about my blog and asked her to keep it a secret. Unfortunately, she forgot and started talking openly about it in the staff lunch room one day. She apologized after and I reiterated the fact that I wanted to keep it secret. Hopefully that doesn’t happen again.
Oh and I secretly take pictures at my work desk all the time. I fear the day that someone walks in to see me doing that and then I will have to explain!
I tell co-workers I consider friends and meet with outside of work. Otherwise, I don’t tell coworkers. I tell all my friends though!
I totally understand what you mean, I do NOT tell people at work either. I don’t think I ever will. But I gladly tell all my friends and family, many of them are my most loyal readers!
I haven’t told anyone about my blog - not a single person I “know”. I don’t know why. I kind of view it as a “diary” and I don’t mind people I don’t know reading it, but for some reason it freaks me out to think people I DO know are reading it. I know that sounds as though I’m hiding things, but I really just don’t want it to be a topic of discussion when the room is quiet if that makes sense. It’s just something I do for me and to get certain thoughts out of my head. It’s things I’ve usually discussed with others anyway, so I just don’t care if anyone knows or not.
Isn’t it funny that it’s easier for us to share things with people we don’t know rather than people we are close with?
Only a few people know about my blog! My family and boyfriend are the only ones. It’s not that I hide it, butttt I fear that my friends would think I’m weirder than they already think I am
I totally understand your apprehensiveness, although I’m sure your coworkers would love it!!
I think its no surprise that I have always openly shared about my blog. People probably wish they could shut me up. LOL
bahaha - that’s why I <3 yoU!
It’s so ironic you wrote a post about this, as I was just feeling the exact same way and actually wrote about the same topic on June 1st!
I totally understand where your coming from, and I think it’s great that you are able to tell others (apart from the two coworkers). I haven’t even told my mom, so I’m still a hiding blogger! I guess it takes time
tell people!!
I’m not very open about my blog. Scratch that. I’m not open AT ALL. Only my parents know about it, and while I would love to tell others, I’m a bit scared to be labeled as that strange girl who takes pictures of her food… especially because no one I know reads food blogs… at least not that I know of. I really hope I can get over the shyness though, because I’m proud of my blog and wanna share it with others. Oooo someday.
I am the exact same way. I only told one of my friends because she was talking about the blogs she reads, and since I knew she was interested in them, and though they were cool, I told her that I had started one. I guess I am afraid of what people think about blogs and don’t like having to explain myself, so I only told my parents and fiance, and one friend.
Some of my coworkers know but I don’t advertise it at work. I don’t really want coworkers looking at my personal life that close up. If they find it, that’s cool, but I don’t shout about it at work.
I’ve found myself in very, very similar situations! It’s probably got something to do with the fact that I’m an introvert!
I am the EXACT same way! I always get so embarassed about my blog…even though I really am so proud of it! But I just find it hard to explain to people! My dad did the same thing as your husband…he literally sent out hundredsx of emails to everyone he knows telling them about my blog. It was so sweet!
PS: how did you take like a snapshot of webpages like the pics you have above!?! I can’t figure out how to do it!
It’s a screen shot. You press ctrl+alt+prnt scrn and then go into word and hit ctrl+v (to paste) and then crop it!
I am the same. But even if my family and friends read my blog, I still dont think they would enjoy/get it. So I guess its just my way of protecting myself?
Its definitely a difficult issue to get your head around. There are so many aspects of the blogging world that make it great but one that is really important to me is the super supportive community here. I guess no one wants to jeopardise that !
x
I’ve felt just like you have as I’ve started my new blog in the past few months. I told my family about it, but that’s it. I want to tell friends and co-workers, but something is holding me back too. I think I will at some point, but I’m not ready to right now. I’m really happy and proud of blogging, but I guess I must be afraid of exposing my real self to people I know. Sure does sound weird when I put it like that.
I am the same way about my blog! I think it’s because sometimes I can get very personal in my posts and it feels weird to know that certain people I know in real life may read them! That’s why I haven’t told my coworkers about my blog either.
I’m really shy about my blog too. Even in front of the people who know I write one I try not to attract a lot of attention when I’m taking pictures (although that kinda sounds contradictory…) and my co-workers definitely don’t know. It’s not that I’m not proud of my blog. I think it’s just hard “putting yourself out there” to be judged. I think it’s totally natural to be uncomfortable having someone read the things you write.
I don’t really talk about it at work or on facebook- it’s sort of a different part of my life. However, both parts do overlap from time to time- such as my coworker Jaime has her own blog, it’s discussed sometimes within my group of friends, blog friends become close friends, etc. There’s a lot of grey area. I don’t necessarily hide it, but I don’t go out of my way to promote it to friends who aren’t into the whole running/foodie thing. Ya know?
Totally! But these people are! I know they would love it, I don’t know what my problem it.
I get so nervous about the thought of friends my age knowing that I blog. In a really brave move for me,I told my mom that she could tell our family about the blog…I late found out she emailed over 40 people with the link to it. I was so embarrassed and ashamed because I though everyone would think I was some weird food obsessed freak….which I am so I’m not sure why I was so ashamed!
I used to be nervous about people our age knowing, but I’m really not!
I am the same way! I’m not sure what it is either!
You’re not weird! I promise. I’ve been blogging for years and while I didn’t keep it a secret, it was a big step to connect my blog to facebook where I knew my coworkers and family would see my every post. It wasn’t until I made my “famous” banana bread recipe that I had been talking up to my coworkers for weeks that I finally bit the bullet and jumped in. And yes someone also caught me dining alone in Hard Rock Cafe taking pictures of my salad
SO, I guess I am weird, but ever since then a lot of people I work with or hang out with expressed that they read my blog and find me inspiring. Inspiring is not a word I use to describe myself… more like shamelessly clumsy and talkative. Its hard to know how valuable you are until other people see you for your passions and then get the opportunity to tell you. I love your blog 
Thanks Eva!
I would have kept it a secret too. I’m weird and indecisive just like you! My boyfriend has no clue I’m an avid calori counter (I keep the extreme stuff to during the week when I don’t see him). But he knows I’m weird and loves me for it. Coworkers? Not so much.
I am in that very stage right now that every newish blogger seems to go through. I’m not quite open about it with everyone, in fact there are really only two friends that know about it. My boyfriend doesn’t even know about it yet :-/ It’s the only thing I’ve ever kept from him. I’m not sure what it is that I need to get that push off the edge, but I hope it happens soon!
I told a few of my co-workers (I work at a gym) when my blog was mainly focused on fitness and food. Now, though, I want to start writing more personal posts, and wish I would have bit my tongue in telling them about it. Oh well…I think I will start writing what I want to, while also staying appropriate, of course. Blogging used to be a good outlet for me to take care of stress and my frustrations…or even happiness. I miss that, and I still want to post about my eats and exercise, but I need some feeling, emotion, and daily doings in there too!
I think that was really hard for me at first, knowing others I knew read my really personal posts about the scale and my insecurities, etc. But then I realized that I should be open about that kind of stuff! And if I cant talk about it, I sure can write about it!
I dont tell my coworkers about it. I say “I run a website” if they ask what I do with my time when Im not there. They think I do tech stuff. It suffices, they dont question it, and that way they dont ask for the site addy, etc.
They dont need to know everything
It’s FINE not to tell everyone, everything. Listen to your gut and only tell ppl if it would make you feel good and obvi it wouldnt in this case…so til it does, then just keep it to yourself. No shame!
Oh that’s a good response!
I hear ya- I didn’t want to tell anybody at first, either. But I eventually got over it because I knew people would start wondering about the pictures.
Ah it’s such a dilemma, but I’ve gotten a little better with the whole “promoting” myself. I remember how anxious I felt before I hit the Publish button on my facebook wall to a post. I still feel funny taking pictures around people who don’t know about it though!
Chelsey, you’re singing my heart song again! I’ve been thinking about this since I started blogging (just over a month ago, I’m not quite a vet yet). I sheepishly hinted to my boyfriend that I had one, didn’t give him the address, and he found it himself while I was away on vacation. When I go to my not-at-all food-or-blogging related job on Monday, I’m not exactly sure how I’ll handle it. Of course, I’m no celeb like CEC, so I don’t have too too much to worry about… but I’m pretty sure I’m not just gonna throw it out there. At least not yet.
Oh Caroline, you’re making me blush. I am no “celeb” that’s for sure! I love that your boyfriend was interested enough to find it himself!
Since starting at my current job over 6 years ago, I’ve always brought in food for people to eat. I introduced many of my coworkers to stevia, quinoa, millet, things they’d never even heard of. When I decided to study holistic nutrition, everyone was behind me. Then, I started practicing nutrition, setup a company website and posted a couple of articles and recipes on it. It was my coworkers that encouraged me to turn my site into a blog. So, in January 2011… I did! So needless to say, everyone at work knows about it, talks about it, and is proud of me for doing it.
In your case, if it doesn’t feel right, don’t do it. If you want your personal life private, that’s okay! Listen to your heart, it always knows what to do!
I love that one of your co-workers inspired you to start your blog!
I looooooooove how you take the disarray of words in my head and put them in text.. this post, along with so many others explains exactly how I feel. My blog is currently a secret for the most part, and I suppose that has to do with me not wanting to hold back on certain topics, and not wanting to offend anyone or be accountable in “real life” …I find it strange I am more comfortable writing to an audience of strangers opposed to my friends. I kind of freaked out when my boyfriend told me he shared it with his family, and then just recently learned some friends know about through another friends blog… so I’m slowly coming out of my crab shell… I’ll get there one day, maybe. Of course I would love for it to be successful; right now though, it’s still a baby!
I don’t think I would have told anyone, but I am painfully shy and am too scared of criticism! Only my family knows about my blog, but my mom has started telling extended family. So embarrassing, although it shouldn’t be!
I’m a closet blogger, I used to blog about infertility, and as my journey got more and more complicated I kept switching up blogs, I just wanted a secret little place that is all mine.
Now I mostly blog about running and some mommy stuff, but it’s still my private place. My husband knows I blog sees the random pics of food among all the babies and at first kept asking questions, now,he’s used toot and has stoppedenquiring.
In other words, I would have done the same thing.
Chelsey, I’m the exact same way! For some reason, I haven’t told my colleagues. I guess because I want to keep work completely separate from my blog. Part of me really wants to tell them-but I am also so happy I haven’t.
I was also nervous to tell my fam/friends when I first started my blog, too. It’s so funny the way it’s so much easier to open up to strangers on the world wide web than the people you’re closest to. Probably because those are the very people whose opinions really matter most to us.
So funny about your mom finding out. For quite a while my mom was my only reader!! And I still think she’s my biggest fan
moms are always your biggest fans!
It took me a long time to be comfortable telling people about my blog too. In fact I started my first blog still in college and told NO one, but once I graduated I got the courage to do it for real.
Now I’m not ashamed, but I still don’t tell co-workers because I don’t want them to think I’m doing it instead of doing my work (which I don’t do…ever…right…)
At this point they kind of know I have one, but not it’s topic or it’s URL.
haha! That’s so funny about you not wanting them to know because you think they would be suspicious at work. The only time I read blogs at work is when I’m on my lunch break, so I don’t think that’s considered “not working”.
I love you. I was the same way in the beginning - I was suuuper shy about it and told SOME people, but I thought that they would think it is so weird. But now when I tell people, or I find out they already know, they only have good things to say about it, and most of the time they think it is really cool. I would have done the same thing as you — in the moment like that, I wouldn’t know how to respond!
I do the same thing! Only a select few co-workers know about the blog. But I’ll tell complete strangers about it (usually after they ask me why I am photographing food, of course). I like to keep my work and personal life separate.
That it too cute and funny that you kept the blog a secret from your husband for that long!
Oh I’m the BEST at telling strangers anything - it’s always like that though, right? You can tell a stranger your deepest darkest secrets, but keep your best friends in the dark.
you wrote this perfectly! thanks for sharing and i could relate to all those feeling of insecurity, “if i tell people about my blog, will they hate it, will they read some of it and think of me differently, will they just think it’s stupid?” we all go through those things to certain degrees. i love doing art but i cringe anytime someone says i’m an ‘artist’ and they want to see my stuff. especially if i’m around other artists! how can i measure up?
but a big thing is like you said, if you’ve got a dream, a goal, a passion, if YOU don’t believe in yourself, why the heck should anyone else? i’ve gotten better with certain things, i’ve opened up about areas of my life to people that i NEVER thought i would and after, for the vast majority of times it is for the better. and people have responded so much better than i’d even thing…and even made me feel better about myself. we build things up in our minds much worse than they are…so if you want my two cents: DO IT!! share with them, your blog ROCKS and i promise you they will think so too.
everyone at my office knows about my blog and constantly joke with me about my food photography.. but most of them are not people who would ever in a million years look at my blog. one co worker reads my blog and the rest are creepy old men
i think your co workers would LOVEEEEEEEEE your blog! but it’s totally understandable to want privacy.
I like sharing my blog. And now people in the concierge community know about it and it could possibly help me get futher into the concierge game.
I’m not too shy about my blog…I would share it with coworkers if I really had any. A lot of the time I just think that there isn’t any reason for anyone to be interested in me though but then I think about how much I enjoy reading other people’s blog and feel a little bit better about sharing mine:) Another thing I do is before I eat out with someone I’m like “I take pictures of my food…I know it’s weird.”
Thanks so much for sharing this - I feel the same way about my blog. I don’t advertise my blog to others, and some of my family and friends still don’t know about it! I guess I was embarassed too? It’s nice to know that I’m not the only weird one.
Ahhh I totally would have clammed up in that situation too! I’m the same way with my blog. My family, boyfriend, and best friends know about it, but I don’t want every one of my acquaintances knowing!! I totally understand your mindset!
I’m in the same boat you once were. I don’t tell many people about my blog. I only take pictures when I’m alone.. I’m not sure why I feel this way. I don’t think I would get the complete support form certain people in my life so I choose not to tell them. Maybe one day I’ll let them know, but right now it’s still somewhat of a secret.
Pretty much everyone in my “real life” knows about my blog by now, but that happened over time. My parents were the first people I told, followed by my boyfriend and best friends, and then word got out to some friends from high school and now just about everyone knows about it. I don’t use that as a introduction and it doesn’t come up in conversation with random people I don’t know, but I’m aware enough of who’s reading to already be careful of what I say. I think that’s the biggest downfall to “real life” people knowing- I do feel like I have to censor myself a little bit. But hey, that’s probably a GOOD thing, since looking back on some old posts I realized they were way too personal to put on the internet where anyone could find them and ended up editing them. There’s a sense of anonymity to blogs at first, and that’s comforting, but I think it’s always important to remember that whether or not you tell them people can always find them!!
So true! I think when I write “personal” posts, I try to make them as ambiguous as possible so they can relate to anyone and I don’t really get into the specifics as to what I’m “really” talking about. Does that make sense?
Thanks for posting this, I’m going through the same thing with my (very new) blog. My family and a few friends know, but I haven’t made it common knowledge yet-I know I will tell my boss and other coworkers, but I think part of me wants to wait until it looks more professional with my new design and header. I also blog for my school, and everyone knows about that, but it just feels different with a food/healthy living blog.
I actually saw my boss’s name on your blog a few weeks ago Chelsey!! I was excited!
I “came out” of the blogging closet this past December and was actually shocked by how many people already knew about it. I suppose I’m not as sly as I thought I would.
Just recently I’ve been MUCH more open on my page and sometimes seem to forget that all the randos I went to high school with and a lot of my friends parents read my blog now too.. so sometimes that freaks me out, but hey - this is me.
great post, Chelsey! I always love your insight
AWESOME post Chelsey!! You should definitely be loud and proud about your blog-it’s awesome!
A few of my friends+family know about my blog, but I only tell people if it comes up. To be honest, I’m pretty sure most of them wouldn’t love reading about my obsessions with running, chocolate and nut butter every day anyway!
I can totally relate so what your saying. I feel awkward knowing that people I know read my blog, afraid they’ll think I’m totally weird when I post certain things. But, everyone is so nice and always says complimentary things about my blog, so I guess I shouldn’t be afraid. I think it’s totally fine you didn’t mention it to your coworkers, no need to share everything.
I’m on a little hiatus from my blog so I haven’t had to deal with this issue yet but I’d probably tell my co-workers. I work in a really small office so there are only 5 of them. I think I’m (ashamedly) the only one who spends any time online so I think I’d be pretty safe!
I soooo know how you feel. I am naturally shy in “real life” so spreading the word about my blog, and “exposing” myself to people I knew was really difficult. 2 years later it still feels a little weird to talk to people I know about it - I guess because we open up a bit more on our blog than we do in normal everyday conversations, and it feels weird for co-workers or casual acquaintances to know these things that you’re thinking that you wouldn’t normally share with them. I guess my only word of wisdom is that I’ve never had anyone I know react negatively after reading my blog. It’s all been good things, which has taught me a lot about putting myself out there! Sorry, this is a really random rant!
You should feel special because you are what sparked the conversation!!
I still feel very secretive about mine. I link my posts to my facebook and through twitter, so I know there are people who know about it, yet it’s still not something I physically talk about a lot. I guess I might be a bit ashamed (I don’t know why - it’s not like I’m talking about, well, inappropriate stuff). I think it might be because of my support system; in building that I guess I should start telling people about it. It’s funny how things work!
I FEEL YA! co-workers = students in my case and i have only told my best friend becuz i know high school kids are jst gna make funof my blog.. thats high school…
but once i told my rents they were SO supportive n started telliing all their friends who loved it too! i think adults understand the concept more than the kids in my HS would so im afraid of them finding out.. but then again if they ever did and laughed.. id just laugh in their faces and say “cheah well uhh do you make $40-$50 bucks a month?” MMMHMM!
I couldn’t agree more!!! Oh my gosh I do the same thing! I’ve only told a couple of people from my “real life” about my blog. A few other people know I blog, but I’ve never told them what it’s called, so I don’t think they’re reading it! I’m not sure WHY I’m so secretive, but I guess I DO feel sort of “exposed” and I don’t want to feel like I have to hold back when I write a post.
Anyways, that’s so cool that your mom and hubby are spreading the word! You have SUCH a great blog!
I’m quite apprehensive to tell people about my blog as well. Even though it’s a really new thing in my life and I get super excited about it, writing new posts, taking pics, ect, there are some really personal things on it as well. I don’t tell people at school about it because you know how kids in high school are
she’s actually looked at my posts and such and thinks it’s a really good idea!
The first person I told was actually my mom and she was super supportive which gives me a lot of hope
I’m the same way you used to be… I haven’t told anyone… not even my family. I don’t know why, I”m not embarrassed by it or anything, I guess I just like to keep it to myself. And all those anonymous internet readers out there, I guess, haha.
Wow! I feel like I was reading a post written by me. I just started blogging and I’m really proud of what I’ve done but when it comes to talking about it with people I get nervous. My heart starts to race. So silly! Like you said we put it out there for the world to read but find it hard to share with a group of people/ co-workers.
Love your blog Chelsey xx
Thanks Lisa!
Welcome! Have a great week! I vote to keep the posts coming cause I’ll read them
I’m glad you posted this.
I feel the same way.
I feel like this right now….I take photos of my food when no one is around and don’t tell anyone I blog.
I don’t know why. I’m not really hiding anything.
Maybe they’ll think it’s weird?
I don’t think I would of told my co-workers either. I think I would of done the same thing. You aren’t weird and you not alone in feeling how you feel.
Believe me, people don’t think it’s weird. I thought people would think that too! I’m just nervous about them reading it.
I totally get it. I don’t tell co workers too. I wrote a post on my “Blogger Anxiety”.
I love that!
GORGEOUS PICTURE OF YOU!!! I can’t believe the hubby didn’t know for a month after you were married!!! I HAVE TRIED SO SO HARD to keep my co-workers from finding out about it. I want the whole world to read my blog EXCEPT my co-workers. I completely understand, once again we are SO alike!
I am so glad you posted this. I have been reading blogs since about April and they have helped me to come through a lot of hardships I was dealing with in my life. I have been thinking about starting one for a while but I am just so worried about what other people will think of me if I did start one. I don’t know why I care lol…I need to do the things that I am passionate about!
hey doll, i have troubles with co workers about my blog. i talked about work a little bit on there and these ppl who didnt like me to begin with took offense to something i said. on the other hand, other ppl think my blog is really cool and my friends (who i initially was afraid to let know) read my blog and they think its cool - especially cuz i get free stuff
i was afraid to let them know about food pictures and my eating troubles in the past but really, its a part of you, love me or hate me, it’s me.
i think you should not worry about the judging. unless you think that some ppl will actually treat you differently. in my case with a few co-workers that happened but really it was okay to me because they didn’t like me to begin with anyways.
do you girl! its your blog, its a part of you.
Ohhh what an interesting topic!!! I love the blogging world, and always post on my FB wall every single post I write. So obviously, people from all stages in my life know I have a blog and have free roam to read whatever I write. HOWEVER! I have yet to tell anyone at my workplace. I think it’s because I am part-time, and although I am content right now for the most part, I have been considering a job change, and if/when I do act upon that…I don’t want my work people knowing until I have another job all set up. Oh, and I also don’t friend people I work with… So guess that helps keep it separate.
I can totally relate to this! My closest friends, family, and bf are the only ones i told about my blog. I would never bring it up at work, even though there’s nothing on it that would jeopardize my job, i just like to keep it separate and not get too personal at work. But my bf tells everyoneeeee. Sometimes it really bothers me, and i get so embarassed when his coworkers, friends, or entire extended family is talking about it at their reunion. But I really shouldn’t be embarassed, it just reflects me and expressing myself creatively, and I try to be proud of that!
Chelsey,
I love that your mom already knew…my mom is the first person I told (even before my live in boyfriend who sat next to me while I was blogging) and her friends are my greatest fans. I really haven’t advertised it to many people and I am still embarrased when I take pictures of my food or shops out and about. I think it is because although I enjoy blogging, I am insecure about my writing and just find it easier to be annonymous. That being said, I think you are fine to keep your blog to yourself and smile inside that in another city, another secret blogger’s coworkers are talking about how much they enjoy your posts. Happy Summer!
I know exactly what you mean! I think I’m still in your early stages phase where I’ve told people who are pretty close to me, but I haven’t told a lot of people. I haven’t shared it on facebook, and I feel sort of worried that certain people will judge me for it. After saying this, I feel silly because A) who cares if people judge me and B) I doubt that they would really judge me. But anywho, I’m slowly warming up haha
i just tell everyone about my blog because i just dont care, have no shame and am really bad at keeping secrets/lying!