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If I've not made it obvious before now, blogging is awesome. It's creative, stimulating, inspiring, helpful, social and sometimes life changing. starting this blog is definitely one of the better decisions I've made. However, with blogging sometimes comes awkwardness. Those squelchy, red faced, gawky moments that non bloggers just don't get. Here's my rundown;
1. When your family finds your blog. Oh god, I love you mum but please stay away from my blog. If you're reading this; bugger off. I love you, but stop. Also, tell auntie Mo to stop tweeting me please, in the nicest way possible.
2. People wanting favours. Ughhh, this might be my worst one because it makes me feel awful. Lots of bloggers will experience friends asking for freebies, asking to promote them in some way, or do blog posts on something they sell/make/do/campaign. Honestly I feel awful because I just have to straight out turn some friends down. It's not that I don't want to help you, or I don't think what you do is awesome; but this blog is my place for my things. It doesn't necessarily have a niche, but there's an umbrella of subjects I'll cover and your fundraiser might not be one of them. I'm sorry! I don't want to spam my readers with things that aren't relevant to them!
3. 'Follow me?' We all know those people who tweet us/comment us this. And yes there are the spammers which we all ignore, but what about the genuinely lovely people who always comment on your blog? What if they aren't spamming, but just ask that one time, and you check out their blog.. but you just don't like it/it's not your thing. Awkward. What then? Surely you don't tell them?! Eek. I dunno guys, this one makes me want to back up and run away. How do you other bloggers deal with this?
4. Friends who don't 'get it'. I'm not implying here that all non bloggers are out of the loop; not at all. I have a bunch of friends who understand why I take photos all the time, why I'm furiously making notes when a random idea hits, why my Instagram is important for my blog or why I have a Facebook page. Or why I even care about all of the above. But there are some who just think you're wasting time, being vain, or self centered. Awkward when you get your DSLR out at lunch...
5. Fangirl. I can easily name about 5 blogs that I check every single day without fail, whether on my computer or out and about on my phone. I comment on every new post, I favourite their tweets, I stalk their Instagram. It's starting to get awkward guys. It's now at the point I sometimes hold back on 'favouriting' that awesome thing they just posted, in fear of looking like a stalker. But some people are just so awesome that I have to follow them on every platform, and I get excited when I see a new blog has gone up. Is this just me? I promise I do not want to kill you and wear your face, I just really like that shit you posted dude.
What things do you find awkward about blogging?
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Uh #3 is sooo awkward and sometimes makes me feel sick worrying about it (Im just that kind of person).
ReplyDeleteBut with family reading my blog I have no issue. My mam is probably my biggest fan and its one of the reasons I started.
Ive also never had the 'fangirl' thing for anyone. There are blogs I check regularly (my favs list) but none imparticular that I follow that persistantly lol
Xo
It is true about number 3 that some people will comment on your blog but you just don't like theirs but I feel that you don't have to follow everyone and if it is just not your thing then don't follow them, unless they are looking for you they won't know if you follow or not.
ReplyDeleteBut it is hard and no one wants to upset anyone :)
Great post though!
Pams Stuff and Things
I'm with you on Fangirl. I normally read blogs from afar but there are some posts that I just feel like 'Wow this is amazing' Like this post
ReplyDeleteGood points on all of them, but I definitely feel like #3 is the most awkward - at least for me. It just makes me feel mean... And I know that a big part of blogging is community and supporting each other. But it's good to know that I'm not the only one who feels like that!
ReplyDeletex Kathryn
Through the Thicket
I haven't told my family or friends about my blog and I am totally dreading the day someone I know finds it! At least yours isn't a secret!
ReplyDeleteOh man, the fangirl-ing and the photography for definite! My OH family visited this weekend are now convinced I have sone form of memory loss because I took so many photos!
ReplyDeleteGreat post Jemma! I totally relate to #1, but now more and more around me know about my blog I feel less awkward about it :) And #3, yes, definitely! But we're all different and while I love someone's blog and comment on it I don't expect it immediately follow me back. If that happens that's great but if don't that's fine too. But I do try to visit their blogs and comment back at least once :) x
ReplyDeleteMummy’s Beauty Corner
I relate to all of these so much! The biggest thing I have is shyness when I take my camera out to photograph things for a blog post in public. It's seems kind of silly now but I usually keep my DSLR at home just because I feel weird being the awkward girl walking around the market taking photos of the bell peppers. ;) I think I am going to be braver in that and just do it. Take all the pictures!!!
ReplyDeletexo, C
Haha, fab post Jemma! I can definitely relate to a lot of these xxx
ReplyDeleteKirsty - Effortlessly Excessive
This is brilliant hahahaha!!! The second one unfortunately has happened to me a lot. Like, if they ask you for help promoting their new product or something, how do you say no to them without offending?? :/ so hard. xx
ReplyDeleteLittle Miss Katy | UK Lifestyle Blog
My mom used to follow my old blog! Luckily, I don't think she has found my new one yet. Actually, I think most of my friends have no idea I write a blog. My bf does, and thankfully just goes with it, only asking a few questions... but I think he is looking into blogging himself. Thankfully #2 hasn't happened to me yet!
ReplyDeleteLove, Jenn
thediaryofadreamer91.blogspot.com
Ahh #3. Gotta admit, it must take guts to ask! And I'm so with you on Fangirl moments... but there are so many people who deserve all the love in the world and I will do my best to give them at least a little bit!
ReplyDeleteI think the most awkward one for me is probably taking photos with non-blogger people around, be it friends or just the general public. If it's a particularly pretty dinner, then jokes are made that no one can eat until I've taken pictures, and sometimes people give me really odd looks when my camera is out. It's not a massive thing, can be a bit awkward at times though!
little miss fii || Fii x
Yep I can totally relate to the family finding your blog thing. I was updating mine once when my Dad was round my flat (big mistake) and he saw what it was and now checks up on it every now and again, it's so cringe worthy! I can't bear to talk about it to him or as you said those friends that just don't and never will, 'get it'. Awesome post xx
ReplyDeletewww.kirstytalks.co.uk
Literally can relate to all of these! I won't let my Mum read my blog yet though! I promised her that when/if I reach 3000 bloglovin' followers I will let her see it hahaha x
ReplyDeleteRachel Coco
This made me giggle. Great post! I hate number 3. I don't mind when it it genuine but when you realise they've tweeted the same thing to like 100 people...urgh. Be genuine with compliments not spammy, it means nothing. Ha! x
ReplyDeleteI can relate to all of this!
ReplyDeleteI definitely agree with all of the above... Especially number 5. Awkward x
ReplyDeleteGreat points you gave made Jemma. My family hasn't really discovered my blog and if they did, they are not the type to make a thing of it. I feel awkward when people follow for follow because I don't want yo be mean but I'm not going to follow if their blog doesn't captivate me xx
ReplyDeleteBrenda BusyBee | Bella & Bear Professional 15 Piece Makeup Brush Set Giveaway
Hahahaha I totally agree with most of these. :)
ReplyDeleteMy mom wants to read my blog and I'm just like no -.-
Also yes some friends don't understand it, but it's so awesome when someone does understand it. One of my friends took pictures of me for an outfit of the day once which was so helpful :)
Ellen,
http://fishnetsxd.blogspot.ie
Haha I totally agree with everything! It's super awkward when my family starts reading my blog ♥
ReplyDeleteAmy xx
Perfect Imperfections
ALL of these, YES. I think the worst for me is the non-blog friends just not getting it. I was at dinner the other night with a new group of people mainly (only one knows about my blog) and everything was situated all perfectly, the restaurant was super trendy and cute, the food looked delicious...the blogger side of me wanted so bad to whip out my phone and Instagram it, but first impressions and being that "hey guys I run a blog and none of you are going to understand why I look like a complete nutter taking pictures of my food." situation. I just sat and wished haha.
ReplyDeleteThis comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDeleteMy momma's just found my blog so I know exactly what you mean! Yesterday all my she favourited all my twitter links to my posts and my phone wouldn't stop going off, bless her.
ReplyDeleteI love this post!
www.alrightblondie.blogspot.com
Love this post! You're so right. I hate when people ask for a follow.
ReplyDelete& I actually don't mind that my family read my blog - they chat amongst themselves about it & I don't mind as long as I don't have to listen! Haha x
www.hello-cat.blogspot.co.uk
Nailed it with every single point! My awkward one would be that whilst my boyfriend is amazingly supportive, there are some posts I really don't want him reading (I'm looking at you, post about my worst date ever, pre-current-boyfriend). I also haven't told my friend's about my blog, so that's always fun when I'm trying to take secretive snaps of my food without them wondering what the hell is wrong with me.
ReplyDelete#bloggerprobs!
Steph xx
Lay It Bare
I'm feeling number 5. Sometimes I feel like I seem like such a creeper when it comes to interacting with my favourite bloggers.
ReplyDeleteRubi | The Den | http://www.the-den.blogspot.com
I don't think I've come across anything awkward as of yet, but I can say that I haven't told my friends because of what they might think... More or less I'm waiting til they find out for themselves x
ReplyDeletewww.sheintheknow.co.uk
SO with you on the last one haha! And the first...I get so scared about people I know finding mine.
ReplyDeleteI look at peoples blogs/other networks daily and some people (including yourself!) are so great that you can't help liking everything..I think there's nothing wrong about that :)
As for number 4, I know how you feel! I just remind them that photography/writing is my hobby and I totally need to photograph my burger! It's just mandatory! ;)
Hazel xx
I love this! I definitely started panicking when my parents found out I was blogging. My mom has a fetish of sharing my posts on her Facebook. I love her to death, but goodness....
ReplyDeleteRecently found your blog through Twitter :) (In case you're confused where I just 'popped' in from) Love you blog :)
Lizzy xx
I think stalking is fine! In an online sense :)
ReplyDeleteI'm with you on number 3. I have a few people that comment quite regularly, but their blogs don't really tickle my fancy, but that's just the way it is. I'm sure I comment on people, that don't like my blog so it doesn't worry me too much. I di make sure to check their blogs out, but I don't have a massive amount of time for blog reading, so I like to be picky at the people I read :)
No one can escape from those awkward moments haha hugs <3
ReplyDelete3
Hey
ReplyDeleteI loved reading this post , my family are really supportive of my blog and I don't mind them reading it. Not a lot of them have Twitter so they don't see everything I post.
I don't think many of my friends get it! And don't really understand what blogging is
Especially with a lot of my friends being fellow rugby players
Keep up the good work
Carl b
http://www.ablokeseyeview.co.uk
Ah this was so interesting to read! Can relate to a few of these, especially number 3!!
ReplyDeleteI feel awkward getting my camera out with non-blog friends!!
.... which is why we need to meet up again soon for tea and cake! Was lovely meeting you today!
Emma xx
www.alittlefreckle.blogspot.co.uk
I find it awkward when my grandma talks to me like a child 'Oh do you take pictures for your blog?' it's really cringe and awkward. Anyway #3 depends really. I generally have no problem in returning the favour and check out people's blog even though they aren't really of interest to me. I read a lot of beauty blogs, but not because I'm a beauty fanatic but because most of my blogger friends write about beauty and it is important to them. It's not a big deal to read a few posts on their blog and leave one or two comments. It's just nice and not awkward at all. Only had it once when I had a spammer and her blog was so plain boring. I used the excuse I can't leave a comment because her section would only allow g+ users to comment. Other situations which can be awkward as you've said is when people assume you get free products all the time. Hope you're well and we'll speak soon xxx
ReplyDeleteCaz | Lunch Break Adventures
Haha Jem, I loved this post, it gave me such an opportunity to have a giggle! One thing I feel awkward with for sure is having friends and that knowing about my blog...although I want to share it with the world, I worry about how they might react to it!
ReplyDeleteAmy xo
Haha Jem, I loved this post, it gave me such an opportunity to have a giggle! One thing I feel awkward with for sure is having friends and that knowing about my blog...although I want to share it with the world, I worry about how they might react to it!
ReplyDeleteAmy xo
My family and friends know about my blog, I post stuff on Facebook if I think they'll like it (life updates and travel posts) but I don't put up other random blog posts like tags and such. I haven't had any bad words from them, they seem to enjoy reading it and my mum just loves it *cringe!*
ReplyDeleteGem x
amilliongingerisms.wordpress.com
I really get no.1, I wouldn't want my family finding my blog! Though some extended family sometimes read it, it's because of them that I opt not to blog about some things I would only love to talk about for their sakes. x
ReplyDeletelipstickandlightening.blogspot.ie
Number 4! If I try to talk about something my family are always like "How's your little blog?" in a patronising voice or "Why don't you write about it on your pretty little blog?" and laugh. It drives me mad. My friends aren't bothered about it all, as you put it they just 'don't get blogging'. It makes me more determined to keep writing though and try to make a name for myself.
ReplyDeleteRoxie ♥
thebeautifulbluebird.blogspot.co.uk
A really awkward thing for me is going to meet ups and never recognising bloggers in real life despite reading their blog all the time. Then having to ask their name!
ReplyDelete