The Best Blogging Advice I Ever Gave

6 Feb By

I’ve been blogging since 2010.

I sort of stumbled upon the blogging world while looking for a coupon. The blogger I began following shared tips on how to buy $500 worth of groceries for only $1.97. I never did figure out how to do that.

But? I couldn’t resist that bright orange “Create a Blog” button. I picked a wonderfully terrible .blogspot name, and I was on my way.

I had no know idea that blogging would become something so near and dear to my heart. It didn’t take long for me to realize that blogging was on outlet. It was a place where my passion for writing was reignited, and a place where there was a real community of moms who “got it”. I’ve come a long way since my accidental blogger days, but I’ve learned one very important thing.

best blogging advice

Sometimes there are things that shouldn’t be shared.

There are times I really need to vent. Like yesterday!

But, when a take a deep breathe and step back (far away from the keyboard!) I realize the rant I would share with you isn’t worth the damage I could do by sharing it.

There are some things that should simply remain in the privacy and safety of our homes and hearts.

The world of blogging and social media give us the idea that we have to share absolutely everything that happens in our life.

But, we most certainly do not.

It’s important to sift through our thoughts and feelings and write with a clear head. I’ve learned to have some self control and think before I speak in life, and the same should be true about what we type.

Writing is therapeutic. The tapping of the keyboard can be soothing to my soul. There are days I need to get it out of my head and onto the screen. But, those are the days that my posts should remain in a draft until I have time to cool off and think clearly.

Writing with raw emotion is crucial, but hitting publish without a thought can be dangerous. 

It can be a tricky to find balance between honest blogging and sharing too much. I’m an honest mommy. It’s sort of the idea of my blog to share a look inside motherhood, marriage, and homeschool with an honest lens. Obviously, I want to share the “messy” side of things with you or else I wouldn’t have branded my blog as such. It’s not all roses and sunshine here, and I like to write about the real stuff.

I like to write about things other people are afraid to say. I like to write with emotion and give you a real glimpse into our day-to-day. I want readers to say, “Yes! That’s exactly how I feel, I just couldn’t find the words!”

And I hope that I do that for you.

But, I still have to put my family first and think about what I share.

Often times, we share things impulsively just for the sake of conversation. We want to hear feedback from others to know we are no alone. Sometimes we just want someone to agree with us. But, we need to remember that  by sharing something that shouldn’t be shared, we could hurt someone unintentionally.

Other times there are stories that aren’t ours to share. That’s a just a huge no-no for me. I won’t do it.

Impulsive blogging has gotten me into trouble before, and it’s taught me to have some blogging boundaries.

There are just some things I won’t blog about.

 

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What are the things you won’t blog about it?

 

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Adrienne

Somewhere along the way I picked up homeschooling two boys and blogging. When I'm not scrubbing toilets or answering endless questions, I'm usually here, over sharing it all! My writing is always honest, sometimes sarcastic, and never perfect. I hope to keep my kids from seeking adult therapy. I know. Pipe dreams...You can find me as @TheMommyMess on Twitter and on Facebook.

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45 Comments

Comments

  1. Tracie
    Twitter:
    says:
    February 6, 2013 at 8:39 am

    I like those thinking questions. If we all put things to that test before hitting publish, the internet would be a kinder place.
    Tracie recently posted..That Is Not How Goodreads WorksMy Profile

    Reply
  2. Kim
    Twitter:
    says:
    February 6, 2013 at 8:58 am

    Great advice, Adrienne. Too many bloggers think that being honest and true to themselves means throwing open every door to the public. I just disagree with that practice for all the reasons you give, especially about stories that are not mine to share. I think your blog shows just the right amount of openness without making me want to shield my eyes and say, “Goodness gracious, what was she thinking by sharing that?!” :-) Thanks especially for the things you choose not to say.
    Kim recently posted..Moving from Scaredy Cat to Too Darn HappyMy Profile

    Reply
  3. Kim@Co-Pilot Mom
    Twitter:
    says:
    February 6, 2013 at 9:04 am

    I agree! I wouldn’t want to embarrass or hurt anyone with my words. It would take away any joy I had in writing and sharing the story.
    Kim@Co-Pilot Mom recently posted..Love LetterMy Profile

    Reply
  4. Shan
    Twitter:
    says:
    February 6, 2013 at 9:52 am

    Great, Great advice. I love to write and blogging is such a quick way to “get it out there,” isn’t it?! As I have read some blogs though I have wondered how some kids or hubbys are going to feel if they ever decide to read the blog too.
    I DO enjoy your posts because you are transparent! Keep up the good work and bless you for thinking of your family.
    Blessings,
    The How to Guru

    Reply
  5. Michelle says:
    February 6, 2013 at 10:02 am

    I agree! Sometimes it’s hard to hold back…I want to create memories, but I also don’t want to hurt my kids’ reputations over a bad day and completely embarrass them!
    Michelle
    http://normalchaosforamultitaskmom.blogspot.com/2013/02/birthdays.html

    Reply
  6. ilene
    Twitter:
    says:
    February 6, 2013 at 10:08 am

    That indeed IS the best blogging advice ever. I learned it the hard way over the summer when I wrote a post about my dad – and have learned to make sure that every time I hit publish it’ for the right reasons and of a subject that I believe – to the best of my ability – will not hurt anyone.,
    ilene recently posted..This Ain’t My First RodeoMy Profile

    Reply
  7. Natalie says:
    February 6, 2013 at 11:18 am

    I love this. I just had a conversation with a friend yesterday about how now that the kids are getting older, I don’t write about them as often because I want to protect their privacy as they get older….HOW I blog has changed. Really great advice – off to share it!
    Natalie recently posted..Twitter Followers: How To Get (Or Lose) Followers On TwitterMy Profile

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  8. Maggie S.
    Twitter:
    says:
    February 6, 2013 at 11:32 am

    Hoo boy, yes. There’ve been those times I’ve done it or nearly done it.

    I’ve also read posts that I thought, “Boy that person doesn’t realize what’s happened here.”
    Maggie S. recently posted..One Good Day Out of Every ThirtyMy Profile

    Reply
  9. AnnMarie says:
    February 6, 2013 at 11:40 am

    I have so many posts in draft form right now that I won’t hit publish on for these reasons. I try very hard not to blog mad but still have on occasion (Last weeks, for instance) . What I won’t blog about is my mother-in-law. It’s not worth the hurt I’d cause Leo. I also won’t blog about any trouble the kids get into. I mean I’ll say that they did but I won’t specify.
    AnnMarie recently posted..5 Things Making Me Happy Right NowMy Profile

    Reply
  10. The Dose of Reality
    Twitter:
    says:
    February 6, 2013 at 1:17 pm

    Excellent point! Not everything should be out there, and not all stories are ours to tell. I couldn’t agree more!!
    The Dose of Reality recently posted..HotSean! And BotheredMy Profile

    Reply
  11. Mary @ A Teachable Mom
    Twitter:
    says:
    February 6, 2013 at 2:54 pm

    You nailed this – great advice! I’ve had to learn this one a few times (I’m cute, but slow! ;-) after writing about conversations with relatives. Like you, I hope to balance passionate writing with clear thinking more often than not! Great post!
    Mary @ A Teachable Mom recently posted..Turns Out, Winning Is Everything!My Profile

    Reply
  12. JDaniel4's Mom says:
    February 6, 2013 at 3:33 pm

    I really like your thinking questions. I am writing less about JDaniel’s ups and downs. I don’t want he or any of his friends later on reading about things that were isolated moments in time and once they passed they should have been forgotten.
    JDaniel4′s Mom recently posted..{Science Activity for Kids} Magnetic Heart JarMy Profile

    Reply
  13. Shell says:
    February 6, 2013 at 5:14 pm

    Yes. There are things that just shouldn’t be shared.
    Shell recently posted..Pour Your Heart Out: How We DealMy Profile

    Reply
  14. Patricia Robertson
    Twitter:
    says:
    February 6, 2013 at 9:50 pm

    I agree there are several things I want to blog about and think better of it. Because I do have children and they do know my blog and read it at times. So I TRY to watch what I blog about in a personal matter. Especially things that would hurt them.
    Patricia Robertson recently posted..Mom’s Monday MingleMy Profile

    Reply
  15. Galit Breen says:
    February 6, 2013 at 10:40 pm

    I absolutely this. {So much.}
    Galit Breen recently posted..Born to Fill, on MoonfryeMy Profile

    Reply
  16. Making It Work Mom) a says:
    February 6, 2013 at 11:05 pm

    I am like AnnMarie and have a ton of posts in drafts that I will never publish. Most of the time the writing release is enough!

    Good things to think about.

    Reply
  17. Chris Carter
    Twitter:
    says:
    February 6, 2013 at 11:46 pm

    Every time I publish something…I truly think through if it is “worthy” of people reading it… and I prayerfully discern if it is. I love this post Adrienne!!! Excellent points. :)
    Chris Carter recently posted..Momtor Monthly Post…My Profile

    Reply
    • Adrienne
      Twitter:
      says:
      February 8, 2013 at 9:40 am

      Praying over my posts would really kick this whole theory into high gear! I honestly don’t do that enough. But, had I done that on some of the impulsive things I shared in the past, I probably wouldn’t have hit publish.

      Reply
  18. Kimberly
    Twitter:
    says:
    February 7, 2013 at 8:24 am

    Oh, yes, exactly this. I’ve hit publish too quickly before and it caused an uproar with others. I don’t ever want to do that again. And truthfully, some stories just aren’t ours to share.
    Kimberly recently posted..My ReflectionMy Profile

    Reply
    • Adrienne
      Twitter:
      says:
      February 8, 2013 at 9:35 am

      Me too! I’ve learned to more sensitive about other people’s feelings. It’s a tough lesson to learn. I also thin there’s a way to get our point across and share what we have on our heart without going overboard. It’s a skill we all need to master.

      Reply
  19. Raw Thoughts And Feelings says:
    February 7, 2013 at 6:07 pm

    I agree, and there are ways to say things without spilling out exactly where we are, who we are, and the intended subject too.
    Raw Thoughts And Feelings recently posted..Surrender to StressMy Profile

    Reply
  20. Single Mom in the South says:
    February 8, 2013 at 6:22 am

    Great advice! When I have something that really gets me, I usually leave it in draft for a few days, sometimes weeks, before I hit publish!
    Single Mom in the South recently posted..Friday Fragments: That’s My Boy and Other Important ThoughtsMy Profile

    Reply
  21. Lisa says:
    February 8, 2013 at 4:35 pm

    I won’t blog anything that will embarrass my kids or husband. So obviously I withhold A LOT. Embarrassing to myself? Not a problem. And I won’t blog in a negative way about anyone that I know, whether it’s friends or family. I have my personal journals for that kind of cathartic writing, and that is where it will stay.
    Lisa recently posted..My Latest DIY: A Cautionary TaleMy Profile

    Reply

Trackbacks

  1. Buttermilk Banana Bread says:
    February 21, 2013 at 7:50 am

    [...] But, I’ve learned fist hand that hitting publish too soon can be dangerous. [...]

    Reply

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