Although i feel like I do it less and less lately I’ve been blogging for years now. It is something I greatly enjoying doing when I can. I love sharing my thoughts with other bloggers and although my connection with the book blogging world has seemed to dim (working on that) it was so rewarding to find a place and people to talk about my passion for books with.
I’ve found because very few people I see on the daily have the love for reading that I do that my blogging has become a separate life. Sometimes they intersect, it is impossible for them not to, but blogging has become mine and mine alone. My family and close friends know I blog but it isn’t something I share often for some weird reason. In addition, the friends that have expressed interest in my blog aren’t allowed to read it. I know, it’s silly but some point along the way I just assumed no one would care to read it (reminder not avid book readers) so they just seemed like two separate entities and a fear to bring the two together set in. This is especially true when it comes to new friendships.
It is funny how something so public could feel so private. That I could be willing to share with the world but not the people I actually know. I always wonder what they might think. Will they love it? Will they not take it seriously? Will they judge my taste in books? Does it matter? It shouldn’t but I honestly can’t say it doesn’t matter to me.
“Confidence is not ‘they will like me’. Confidence is ‘I’ll be fine if they don’t’.” -Unknown
I’m working on feeling comfortable sharing all aspects of myself without the fear of judgement. It’s a process and I know a long journey awaits. Blogging is just one piece. It really all just comes down to building confidence and feeling comfortable being unapologetically myself. That includes not giving into the need to over explain my book choices.
I know this may just be a me thing but anyone else relate? Maybe when you first started blogging vs now. How did you merge talking about the two freely? Did it make you nervous to have those you know reading your blog? Would love to hear your thoughts.
Felicia GeekyBlogger (@thegeekyblogger)
There are people who have no idea that I blog about books. These are people I see daily but I just don’t talk about it. Most of the people in my social circle does know but it is not something we talk about 🙂
Alexa
Most people in my life know that I read and many know that I blog about books but they don’t really talk to me about it. They just think that I’m a big reader and it is my hobby and they leave it at that.
That reason alone is probably why I blog. I blog so I can have a place to talk about my books because most people in my daily life, except Johnny, do not take an interest in my books.
Lover Of Romance
oh I see what you mean. In the beginning, when I started a blog, I was nervous about what people would think of my reviews or posts. I really had no clue what I was doing, and just did what felt right. But over the years, my confidence in writing and building friendships through blogging has definitely changed in many positive ways. 🙂
Stephanie
I don’t really share a lot on a normal basis so it isn’t unusual that I don’t go out of my way to talk about the blog either. It’s not that I’m ashamed of it but I just know that people who aren’t as passionate about reading as we (book bloggers) are just won’t get it. I think it’s why we have such a large and great community. You’ll find your balance and your confidence! 🙂