ON BLOGGING ~ I Always Feel Like - Somebody's Watching Me...

Image by

Welcome to our weekly BlogAnon meeting where we confess a particular blogging sin and turn to you for support, suggestions and that blogging bond so we know we're not all alone. Don't be shy. Read along and let us know if you identify with us this week.

A few weeks ago at a party one of our friends told me that she reads my posts on UpTake's Attractions Blog religiously and that she enjoys them. Which was awfully nice of her to say. Because had she not, I would never have known she was even there. She has never left a comment on any of my posts. I told her that she is a "Lurker" and that she should step out of her shell sometime and leave a comment on the blog. She had no idea there was a name for people who read and leave.

Lurking sounds pretty sinister to me. But it is really just people being shy, very busy or technologically challenged. I lurk sometimes just because I feel I wouldn't possibly fit in with the conversation or can't think of anything fascinating to add. We have family members and friends who follow or check in on our personal blog here. Sometimes they leave a comment but generally, they just lurk. Some subscribe to our feed via e-mail so we know they're around. But the rest we learn about when they feel the need to mention it in person.

It reminds me that we never know who is out there. I sit in my comfy chair in our family room in front of the TV tapping away at my laptop sharing things from our world to an unknown audience. But sometimes, I forget that people I know very well are reading along too. And that's OK. There isn't anything here to be ashamed of or embarrassed by. It would be pretty stupid of us to put up stuff like that on a public site.

As far as we know, our audience consists of friendly, honest, kind people. We've never had a reason to think otherwise. But just as we forget that there are people we know checking in on our blog, there can also be weirdos, bullies, trolls, stalkers. People that have no lives other than to make people miserable. At any time someone could come along and decide to make our lives a living hell by misrepresenting who we are out there in the blogosphere. Or by harassing us here in comments or through e-mail. By finding out the forums and sites we visit and sullying our reputations. It isn't difficult for someone to do this. They lurk for a while and then follow. And then they strike. It isn't something we want to experience first hand. Because engaging them is the worst thing you can do - and I have a hard time biting my tongue.

So that is why we don't share photos of ourselves. Or our last name. We don't link to Facebook. We don't make it easy for potential stalkers to make it personal. Although we are both very trusting, we are pretty private Bumbles. So we welcome you into the parts of our world that we want you to see. But no matter how long you lurk here, you'll never get the full picture. The only way to do that is to stop lurking, introduce yourself and build a blogging relationship. Unless you are someone we already know - in that case - don't spill our secrets!!!

What do you think about putting yourself out there online? Are you overly cautious, semi-exposed or completely transparent? What would you do if someone tried to trash your reputation online amongst other people you don't really know? Have you ever had content stolen or found your image modified or shared inappropriately? If you are a lurker, do you do so out of laziness or because you are shy? Don't be afraid to share - your blogger thoughts are safe with us - unless some damn stalker is lurking!