I love the blogs that I follow and read. Over the past few weeks, quite a few of them have expressed thoughts about how they try to keep things "real", how easy it is these days to compare ourselves to others' Facebook and blog lives. We all know that we don't see the whole story in these online medium, and yet we can't help but compare and feel something "less than" anyway. I mostly avoid this issue, because the people who I choose to follow do a good job of showing more than just the bright and shiny side of life. I know that everybody has their own issues.
I do have my areas of weakness, though. Home tours get me. Design Mom's "Living with Kids" series is wonderful, and there have been some beautiful and real homes, like this one from here in Massachusetts. Stephmodo's Real Life Home series is awesome too. The super-fancy ones in magazines and home blogs don't get me, but these do. I look at them and get really impatient to get our house put together. I want paintings for our walls, furniture in our living room, plants and other items on display... But I digress. My point was that over time, I've stopped reading any blogs that feel like they're putting on a show. I am still drawn to optimistic people, but real thoughts from real people are way more interesting.
My own blog started with a "positives only" rule, and that's because I have always used it as a way of focusing on the good stuff of life. It has helped me become an optimist. Over time, though, I've allowed the real to come through. The sleepless nights, harrowed days of working full-time with babies, the colds, the canceled plans, etc. I still try to remain positive, but there's nothing wrong with a little acknowledgement of real life.
And so to today. The above sentiment is definitely true - this is my favorite time of year, but I must tell you that there is more to the story. I am in a lot of pain! I hurt my back last week, and it is still difficult for me to move. It's different from my usual back issues - this being my lower back, the result of a core workout that I will never do again. There is so much great stuff going on this week, and this weekend will be the highlight of the season, with a company holiday party tonight, Aaron's birthday tomorrow, his party on Saturday, family coming for lunch on Sunday, and hosting a cookie swap Sunday night. Unfortunately, I'm going to have to enjoy it while wincing as I sit down or bend over. Fingers crossed that it starts to heal soon.
I'm so sorry you're still in pain. I hope it subsides soon so you can enjoy the rest of your week.
ReplyDeleteI feel like a negative Nancy when I don't have anything positive to post about, but c'est la vie, right? :)
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ReplyDeleteFeel better, Mary! Hope your back heals soon.
ReplyDeleteP.S. If it helps, I've been a total stress ball and exceptionally cranky this week. xoxo
Hello :-) I read this post, then found it returning to me in my thoughts a day later so I am back! The shiny and bright 'requirement' in blogging is quite tiring! I know exactly what you mean. I love that you made a positivity rule in blogging. Funnily enough though, whenever I talk to new bloggers, I always say the more honest you are the more people read and comment! So even though we want to mask the truth of how we are feeling when we are down or in pain- it's that very thing that people respond to. Ultimately this means that there is a voyeur in all of us who likes to see what life ifs like for others. But also - that the human spirit is strong in blog land and it comes out when you most need it. I love your blog - always have - whether you are shiny and bright, or slightly tarnished ;-) Lou x
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