Trending towards real
My favorite bloggers have, since the beginning, tried to present a balanced picture of life, rather than painting everything with a rosy glow. I’ve tried to do that, too, because we don’t have any rainbow-eating, butterfly-pooping ponies around here. {Anybody get my Horton Hears a Who reference?}
Lately, I’m seeing this trend towards “real” in blogland more often. And I like it.
Best of all, it’s being done well — which means telling the truth without violating the privacy of those we love, and without putting more negativity into the world. {Because the news has plenty of that.}
I’m not just talking about revealing a pile of dishes in the sink or a Pinterest fail DIY. I’m talking about the nitty gritty issues of real life discussed tactfully.
A few examples:
- Renee at FIMBY has been blogging through her own personal mid-life sort of crisis, and finding a way to share that still feels positive and encouraging.
- Shannan at Flower Patch Farmgirl does a beautiful job of “telling the truth on the internet,” even in something as simple as THAT day on a seemingly picture-perfect family vacation when everyone (yep, even mom) ends up melting down and yelling and/or crying. Or her recent post on parenting adopted kids. {I can so relate to both.}
- Simple Homeschool is in the middle of a “hardest part of my homeschool year” series featuring stories from quite a few of it’s regularly contributing authors.
Of course the internet makes things a bit dicey because real life includes other humans, and it’s difficult to tell your own real without veering too far into theirs and putting all out there for the world to see. But I’m delighted at this move away from only showing our best, spit-shined, put-together selves.
Who are your favorite real-sharing bloggers? Please share in the comments.
Wife, mom, J-ma. Introvert who enjoys good books, sunshine, and authentic conversation. Often seen with a steaming mug of tea in hand – unless it’s lost yet again in the microwave. Read more »
Jamie, I’m honoured you mentioned my blog in this list 🙂
I love how you describe what I’m going through and writing through as a “midlife crisis of sorts” exactly. And the balancing act of telling my share of that story without a tell-all on my marriage or my children’s lives, you hit the nail on the head in the challenge that kind of writing presents.
Thanks again for linking to me. It’s kind of nerve wracking these days to recommend people to my blog since I feel a little in-done over there 🙂
Xo, Renee
Renee,
I’ve long adored your blog, because no matter whether you’re talking about your homeschool style or your children’s talents or the difficult time you’re in now, it all feels authentic. Although I know you’re not writing as much these days, I appreciate your little corner of the internet!
I agree, this is a wonderful trend!
Jamie- if I had written this post I would’ve put YOU at the top of the list. But I don’t blog so I can’t. You are real, simple, refreshing, and sometimes now I even think of you when I’m lifting those dang Dumbbells in my morning workout. Love watching all your changes!
Oh, Emily Lee, you are sweet! Thank you so much; you’ve encouraged me on a day I needed it! 🙂
Oh yes! You are at the top of my list of “Real” bloggers. And I note your latest Instagram pic..I hope you can find some way to elaborate, tastefully also. This has been a BIG issue for us when we took our now 4 year old grandson. Those “beginnings” have rocked his world (and ours). I was so mad at our pediatrician because I knew damage had been done and he was/is a child of special needs yet our doctor ignored that and said “oh he will be fine in time &in a stable environment”. No no no! He needed/needs… Read more »
Oh yes, Tina, that’s a post I’m bouncing around in my brain right now. It’s on the agenda as soon as I figure out what and how to share!
I literally just finished reading a couple posts on one of my favorite “real” blogs, Kayse Pratt/The Only Hope for Me (http://kaysepratt.com/). Everything she writes is so encouraging, real and honest.
Stacy Makes Cents is another one that comes to mind. She is super-relateable and funny to boot. 🙂
And yours, as others have said! I love how real you are. It’s an honor to get these little glimpses into your life. 🙂
Thank you, Jaimie! I will visit those you mentioned.