Honest to Blog

It's been almost 2 months since I've started blogging and obviously if you visit often, you know I'm addicted. It indulges the writer in me. I can use all kinds of multimedia from slide shows to video and music to photos. It's fun to peek into other people's lives and get comments in return on yours. My sister told me about a business that will print and make a book out of your blog entries, so even though it's said a lot, it truly is my journal.

Praises aside, I've been thinking of the journal comparison. There is a BIG difference between the two. In your journal, you're completely honest. You'll vent about your day, your spouse, your family. You'll express every emotion, because you know that your journal is for your eyes only (or you'll kids will have a "Bridges of Madison County" experience after you die). But with a blog, if you're like me, you censor everything in your head first. I won't go off about a sibling, because I know some family visits my blog. I can't rip on a ward member, because some ward friends check it out (well that, and it's not really Christian, is it?). I don't go into my political views because I know my opinions are different than most my friends. I don't write about the irrational, emotional thoughts I'm having after a bad day. And I definitely won't go into details about my married life for the whole world to see.

A good example of this would be my language. I started swearing when I was about 16. It was a childish way to rebel against my strict parents. I didn't really do anything else bad, so this was my crazy way of veering off the straight and narrow. The problem was/is that I started a really bad habit. It's embarrassing and I still really struggle with it, especially when I write. I've had a hard time in this blog not including swear words. I'll even proof my post for them. I'll let a few slide, especially if there is really no better way to express something. I just feel like I need to filter it, because I don't want people's opinion of me to lessen or offend anyone. If I was really honest (with myself), I'd just post as is and hope everyone accepts me anyway.

I'll never blog about certain things and I'll always censor before I post, but my goal is to be a bit more honest about who I am. Not for your sake, but for mine. It just feels good to truly be who you are and if I'm going to keep up with this addiction, then I better start now!

Oh...and I do want to give props to a friend in my ward, Liz. She's doing a weight loss program and she's posting her weights and progress on her blog. Now, THAT'S honest. Way to go, Liz!