28 October 2014

In Praise Of All Bloggers


When you write a blog for any length of time, you almost expect the occasional negative comment or admonishing email.  It would be naive not to.  However, I've noticed quite a bit of criticism floating around Blogland recently (albeit from mostly anonymous commenters - funny that) and it's getting on my nerves.

Firstly, there is the issue with the supposed 'dumbing-down' of blogs.  Those of us who post pretty pictures and include content of very little substance and, yes, I include myself here, are failing to stimulate, educate and provoke intelligent debate.  Apparently.

Shucks, I must have missed that memo.

By strategically angling your camera so as to avoid including a glimpse of the radiator draped with knickers in the background, or carefully cropping out the suspicious stain on your sofa from a photograph, you are guilty of not 'keeping it real'.  Apparently.

Exactly what we show on our blogs and how much we should divulge about our personal lives is a question we've all asked ourselves.  For me, the answer is very simple.  As much or as little as we want.  As a blog writer, that's our prerogative.

As a blog reader, our prerogative is to click away if we don't like what we see or read.  It's not difficult.

I should like to remind the very small (thankfully) minority of people who are so frighteningly quick to judge and criticise that bloggers are NOT service providers.  However big or small their following may be.  There are no 'shoulds' or 'ought tos'.  Blogging is a form of self-expression and not a responsibility.  Life is messy and complicated enough without constant critics snapping at our ankles telling us what and where we are going wrong, don't you think?

Since the advent of Instagram, many bloggers have shut up shop.  It is a shame but not surprising.  However, there is still a huge number of us stalwarts who have remained.  See that list of names in my right sidebar?  Each very different bloggers with very different blogs.  I personally get an enormous amount of pleasure from every single one of them and am so grateful they continue to share as they do.  Whether it's their pretty pictures, what they had for supper or their deepest thoughts.  Bloggers should be praised and not castigated.

That said, I should like to stress that, in almost five years of blogging, I have received very little personal criticism compared to some.  I think I must be so very lucky and have the nicest people stopping by.  Thank you.  ♥

*steps off little soapbox*

xxx

46 comments:

  1. Hear hear!! Well said. When I get a snippy comment - which isn't often thankfully - I remind myself that most people are lovely. Which they are. I sometimes think you need quite a thick skin to blog though. Xx

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  2. I think there are people out there who just spend their days writing nasty comments. I think they get a buzz out of being nasty. I had a troll on Facebook who stalked me for months with loads of different profiles. It taught me to ignore them and just delete. If their life is that boring that they feel the need to waste their days then I'm not going to waste my energy on them. Good for you for saying how it is. Please carry on your blog exactly as it is, I forgot one love reading it.

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  3. Beautifully said. The thing I love about blogs is that each one is unique. I can tell whose blog I am reading by what is said and by the photos. It is up to the blogger what they show me and what they say, and I like that some are very pretty and some are personal. All of them are inspiring in some way, that's what they have in common. CJ xx

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  4. Well said..... Blogging is a totally personal arena. The intolerance of some people just shows maybe that they are missing that point.
    Keep on keeping on folks.

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  5. Absolutely agree. Some people have sad little lives and it makes them feel better. I love your blog and find it inspiring. If I didn't I wouldn't read it. Is that not simple enough for them?

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  6. Well said Heather, it is indeed your choice as to what you say, show and share. Don't change in anyway! Sarah xo

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  7. I once visited a blog that was clearly attempting to stimulate me, educate me and provoke intelligent debate, but the whole thing was so wearisome that a large oak tree fell in my garden, unprompted, unexplained. I never read that blog nor its earnest kin again.

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  8. Amen!!! to that!!!!!!!! It's the one place where I can do exactly what I please!!!!!! It's my personal space!!! Have a colorful week!!!
    Love
    AMarie
    xxxx

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  9. Well said Heather, I would be very sad if all bloggers gave up and went to instagram. The main attraction of blogland is that is such a positive place. It shows there are many, many kind, talented and thoughtful people all over this world.
    We should all Ignore the trolls, they will get bored quickly.
    Jacquie x

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  10. I so agree with you. Well said and long may self expression continue.

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  11. I think many of us would never have got started if we had thought that there was a list of rules - what you 'should' or 'should not' be allowed to blog about - or that people out there would be judging you. How boring it would be if all followed the same path! I for one have found blogging to be way more rewarding than I could ever have imagined - I'm sure we all recognise the wonderful support and friendship that fellow bloggers offer. I follow a whole range of different blogs and enjoy each one on it's own merit. If I didn't like it I wouldn't press the 'follow' button. Life is about choices and thank goodness that here in blogland we are free to choose our own content our own pictures, our own topic of conversation. Imagine what a terribly boring place it would be otherwise! Oh now goodness me I think I'm going to have to hand you back the soapbox and go and make a cup of tea or I could go on for hours! Onward and upward! Jane x

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  12. Well said Heather - in my head I now have a little image of a group of cheerleaders, doing a little routine in praise of all bloggers everywhere - go bloggers, go bloggers !
    Blogs in my view are little snapshots of escapism, a couple of minutes away from the humdrum normal stuff, like dipping in to a magazine.
    I get so much back from writing my blog too, so maybe I'm a bit selfish, but I ain't stopping for no-one !!
    Happy Tuesday lovely Heather,
    Kate xxx

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  13. Beautifully written, Heather! You put it so well and I agree with all your thoughts on blogging. And your blog happens to be one of my own favourites, both for the gorgeous photos and the amusing and/or thoughtful words that accompany them!
    Happy week.
    Helen xox

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  14. Very well said Heather! I have also noticed all that criticism that has been floating around recently and have just gritted my teeth and said a few naughty words under my breath. It has made my blood boil!! As you quite rightly say, no one is forcing anyone to read, so if you don't like it then click away. Simply don't read. And very definitely, don't think that you have the right to say negative and unkind things in the comments when you don't have the full facts in front of you. That's my rant over too! I haven't blogged in ages but am planning to get back to it sometime very soon ~ Jackie :O)xx

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  15. I agree with you. I'm always surprised at how free some people feel to offer their opinions. I think it's a shame, they should just move on if they don't like what they see. I can't imagine having the time to sit around being rude to a blogger. I'm disappointed to see how many people are mostly relying on Instagram these days, it's been bothering me for a few months now. I'll just keep plugging away on my blog; it makes me happy and is an important part of my life.

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  16. You've said it for all of us. Well done!

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  17. I'm always so happy to read your posts! Keep it coming :)

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  18. Well said !!
    To be honest, I don't understand people who want to reply with negative comments on blogposts... If you don't like what you read, just click away ? Why bother spilling your (negative) energy ? Funny thing is, that most of the negativists in blogland, are just "visitors" and don't have a blog of their own. So easy to be critical of somebody else's work, when you don't have the courage to publish your own work...

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  19. OMG ! I am so happy that I don't get comments the way you describe them !

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  20. I notice this sometimes too, and have indeed noticed it just recently on a blog. I totally agree with all that you said. It is such a shame that there are few who say things that upset the many, but how great that there are the many who are so lovely - because there are lot of them and they really are nice. So let's just focus on them! xx

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  21. BRAVO!!! It's so unfortunate people have to be so negative. I guess they were never taught the old saying "If you have nothing good to say, don't say anything"!
    I personally love these little glimpses into other peoples lives and admire them for having the courage to share it with the rest of us! I'd like to send a big "Thank-You Hug" out to you and all the other bloggers I visit!

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  22. I totally agree. Blogs are free, and no one forces someone else to read it. Surely, if you don't like something, you just click on through. I for one don't have time to read something that doesn't interest me - what a waste of precious time!
    Very well said. x

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  23. Happy dance!!!....Well said Heather xx
    Susan x

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  24. You said it! And I love your blog!

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  25. What's that saying, misery loves company? Some people just don't seem to know how to be nice. I love your blog! It's so pretty!

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  26. Oh dear! Is there an ugly witch flying around Blogland spreading a nasty spell? I haven't seen her (or him for that matter) yet, although I've seen her before every now and then - and she is not cool. Of course we have the right to share whatever we want to share, come rain or sunshine, coffee cups or favorite breakfast, WiP's or provocative discussion posts like this one. If we can inspire only one person to feel better through a blog post we have done a great job. In my opinion. And for those who are Anonymous and spreading criticism covering up their faces with burglar hats, grow up. Don't say things online that you wouldn't have the guts to say to someone eye to eye. That is what I teach my 13 year old but obviously generations before this upcoming Cyber generation has missed out on the classes of good manners online. Well put Heather. Love your picture. Love your little make over. Love what you do and can only say - keep doing it!
    Xxx
    Annette

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  27. So very well said lovely H. Like you, after quite a few years of blogging I have only had a couple of nasty comments on my blog, so I consider myself lucky. I guess I always feel though, that these type of comments always backfire. I mean, the comments posted say far more about the commenter than they do about the person they are aiming the poison at. I think the brief moment of satisfaction they get when they hit the post button gets quickly wiped away by the pity that is felt towards them by all the others who read them. Like you say, these comments are usually posted by anonymous people with no face of their own in blog world. I pity that they have no manners. I pity that they waste valuable time reading blogs they either loathe or envy. Above all, I pity the kind of person they must be in the 'real world' and think they mustn't have a lot of friends in their life if they are THAT acidic. They make me feel happy that I have the friends that I do in the real world, and the lovely blogging friends that I do in bloggy world! So it all backfires and I giggle at that fact!

    You are so right, we are NOT service providers. We all blog for various reasons, and if we want to put pretty pictures (minus flung knickers and food crumbs) then we can do so, it's OUR SPACE. If you don't like it, click out of it and move on. Blogs are places that show 'snippets' of life. Most bloggers have the good common sense to realise this. We never know the whole story, nor should we, and we certainly don't have the right to pass a vitriolic judgement on a matter that we don't fully know about. It just makes these people look even more stupid and be pitied even more. Okay, handing the soapbox back to you my lovely.....had my say! xxxx

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  28. I totally agree with your thoughts and sentiments Heather. It's our bit of space to record what we choose to for ourselves, our families and friends, and whoever else likes what we share enough to follow us, to share what we want to, to be as deep or as light as we choose to - as long as we are not hurting or offending anyone. Some share their deepest thoughts and their daily ups and downs, others keep it light and just share the good things, shots of prettiness ( cleverly avoiding the heaps of washing and unwashed dishes as I do too - who wants to share that reality! ) and a love of whatever floats their boat. In a world of so much cruelty, poverty and unhappiness, surely it must be a good thing to try to share a little inspiration, craftiness, prettiness and positivity? There's plenty out there already in the media, newspapers, magazines and other good blogs to provide meat for intelligent debate and discussion, not that we creative bloggers are incapable of such a thing should we choose to do so. And some do. And some don't. So.
    No need to change a thing Heather, you offend nobody and delight many! As do so many other wonderful blogs.
    Gill xx

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  29. Heather, you once again have hit the nail on the head. Blogging is such a fun thing to do and it is such a shame that some people can't just enjoy other peoples pictures (knickers on radiator or not) and just take pleasure from beautiful words. I guess blogging is no different from any group of people, there will always be 'haters' - cringe I just put a cool word in quotation marks haha...
    Well, I for one enjoy 'pretty' blogs. Sometimes they are beautifully written other times they have stunning photography and sometimes both. But if we all blogged the same things wouldn't life be terribly dull?
    And on a different note entirely what is the yarn in your beautiful photo? I adore that colour
    Emma xx

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  32. I've always thought that bloggers are increadibly generous with what they share in the blogosphere: their pictures, snippets of their lives, tutorials, recipes, ideas... and I find a lot of blogs truly inspirational.
    Even though I am not a blogger I try to contribute by commenting on some of them and spread the love... I cannot understand why some people can be so mean to write nasty comments...
    I have been following several blogs for years now and since then I feel that blogland has allowed me to focus on the little things in life, through what bloggers capture with their lenses I feel that I have learnt to look at nature in all its glory, I have learnt to enjoy all the seasons, I have been encouraged to try new crafts and recipes and for that and more I am truly grateful...
    Have a lovely day, Pati x

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  33. This irritates me so often generally thoughout life. People seem to go out of their way to be offended by things, or annoyed by things. Can you imagine how much energy that takes??? No thank you! Why would you bother. If you don't like a blog, facebook poster, tweeter etc. then don't read, friend or follow them. Simple. I read quite a few blogs including yours and like yourself I love them.

    I love that little glimpse into someone elses world, it's a form of escapism for me. We can't expect to be enthralled by every single post. There will be things that one person loves to read about that the next person can't stand. But do you know what....... that's absolutely fine! But if I read a wee post that I don't really enjoy, then I just skip over it. I come back to the next one, and usually I love it. But if a blog continually doesn't "float my boat" then I simply stop following it.

    I have to say that I love your wee blog. Keep on doing what you're doing! :D

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  34. I could not agree more. I have only been blogging for a year and have a small but appreciative group of followers. I blog to document my quilting and crafting progress and if others want to come along for the ride they are welcome. I have not experienced any hypercritical comments or nastiness but know that others have. It really saddens me.

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  35. I'm a new follower of your blog & I love mainly because of the beautiful photographs you post. People who criticize a blog - a form of self-expression - really have way too much free time on their hands.

    I do think it's ok to voice opposing opinions in a constructive, logical way. (We need to cherish our right of free speech even if we don't agree with all that's being said.) But voicing an opposing view is not the same as telling someone what they should or shouldn't be posting.

    Love your blog & look forward to seeing lots more gorgeous photographs.

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  36. Well said, it's sadden me so many blogs are disappearing with Instergram, as for blog content that's the point to post what you want, I love all the pretty pictures and reading you're blog
    Clarexx

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  37. Hello Heather,
    Thank you so much for your lovely, lovely blog:)
    As a relatively new member of Blogland, I wrestle occasionally with what to include and not include in my posts. But, as you have said, we blog for different reasons and each of us do so as authentically as we feel we are able for any given posts. I do not blog FOR anyone. Except myself really. It is my space to honour my life and others have no right to judge a strangers life:)
    As you have said, if you do not wish to read a blog ( or anything for that matter!!) then simply stop reading. !!
    "keep calm and carry on blogging " is what I think:)
    Pauline xxx
    rhubarbrhubarb.typepad/blog.com

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  38. Well said Miss Heather, I couldn't agree more! It's telling I think that negative comments seem to pretty much exclusively come from anonymous commenters. They daren't leave an email for fear of what the reply might be, they daren't even put their name to their words - ashamed much?

    S x

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  39. I just landed here whilst frittering time away in blog land. I am glad I stopped by. I am terribly naïve, I didn't know there would be commenters that are less than kind. I have not personally experienced this and I hope I won't. Thank you for sharing your thoughts today, I couldn't agree more. I am going to explore your blog a little more now. x

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  40. Well said! I've left two positive comments on two different bloggers posts this evening who had received some negative comments ... Hopefully those of us providing lovely positives will more than outweigh the negatives. Love reading your blog and long live the positive!!!

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  41. Here here, and a big round of applause! I really couldn't have said it better myself. Maybe these negative people should start blogging themselves, but what would I know ;-) x

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  42. Quite right too!! AND, well said!

    I'm with you on the 'if you don't like it switch off'....goes for TV too! We're all different, we like to write and do different things and we read different things, I like reading things which I also enjoy and also things I don't stand a chance of doing.

    Love your blog and adding it to my regular read list x

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Thank you so much for taking the time to comment. Anyone ever told you that you're a peach? xx

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