My post yesterday had an amazingly positive reaction from everyone... but oddly enough reading back over what I said has left me feeling a bit hollow. I think there is more to this.
Because what does 'letting it all hang out' even mean exactly?
A blog I newly discovered yesterday was kind enough to tag me in her post. In it she questioned the normality of people like Rachel Zoe and her newly minted baby Skyler (seemingly brought to the world sponsored by Gucci, Louis Vuitton et al). Or whether Jennifer Hawkins was 'keeping it real' as the Marie Claire cover girl left untouched to show body flaws and body acceptance. Another blogger I love wondered why SJP had staged a photo shoot to imply that she was a 'hands on' mum. And many who commented on my post yesterday defined 'real' as being brave enough to reveal a messy house or even a messy soul. To put it all out there into the blogisphere and wait to see what comes back.
But what is real?
Rachel Zoe and SJP's reality is certainly different to mine. But are they any less real because they have loads of cash and live in a world of designer clothes and accessories? Just because they have a nanny, are they really 'pretending to be real' when they talk about being a mother?
I'm sure Jennifer Hawkins flaws are very real to her. Was she any less brave to do what she did because we think her face and body are flawless? Surely you're allowed to be beautiful and real at the same time.
As much as I know that they are not 'reality', would I really want to look at 'Home Reals' instead of 'Home Beautifuls'? Just look at the pictures I choose for my blog!
In reality, are the 'over-styled' blogs and lives that I enjoy banging on about so much any less real to the people who created them?
I guess I don't know their reality. They don't reveal it. But maybe that's the point.
Some bloggers are amazingly candid and their lives are open for all. I admire that, but I don't think that's necessarily the only way to 'keep it real' on the blogs. When I get stuck into a great blog, all I really ask is for honesty, self-expression and ownership. I just want that blogger to be proud to be themselves.
For me, my blog is as real as me (I've written about this before). I don't share anything on here that I wouldn't share in person. I like my world to look good and smell good and I guess my blog looks good and smells good too. I'm an honest writer, I write exactly how I talk (minus the swearing!). Sometimes I write things that I choose not to share but it's no more or less than I share in any other aspect of my life.
My house is not particularly messy. My life is not particularly messy. If 'messy' is what's real, then I don't really have a lot to say. Unlike more personal 'day in the life' sort of blogs, I don't really write about my everyday life, so you don't really know what my 'every day' is like. But I'm authentic, I'm me, I don't hold me back one little bit.
I don't cover up the cracks.
I don't 'theme' my life.
I don't pretend to be something I'm not.
I don't shy away from the hard bits.*
I don't back up the truck.
I think you can always tell when a blogger isn't being true to themselves but I guess what I'm trying to say is that it takes all kinds of people to make a world and it takes all those kinds of to make a blogging world too.
If you live a little bit in your dreams, then of course you're dreamy in blogland and I'm delighted to dream alongside you.
If you 'blog light' and share only what you want to, then I'm just honoured that you shared at all.
And if you 'blog heavy' and reveal more of yourself on your blog than anywhere else, I guess part of me is wondering why, but the bigger part is very, very glad.
So, if it's okay by you, I'll repeat what I said yesterday, but with a very important qualifier.
So, keep letting it all hang out there, bloggers of the world. I embrace you and the wind you threw your caution to.... Because the very act of blogging is brave. No matter how you choose to express yourself. No matter how deep you choose to go.
Blogging is brave. But living is even braver. Why should blogging be 'more real' than life?
What does 'real' mean to you?
* Most of the time.
[Image found here]