I can’t sleep tonight.
I wrote something that hurt someone’s feelings. And I had no idea until that person commented on my blog.
I was taken aback each time someone said I was “brave” for writing what I wrote. Even confused. Was I brave because I was admitting I felt weak because I couldn’t make it through a workout?
No. It seems as though I was brave because I was going against the majority. I also quickly realized that the group I had unintentionally insulted has somewhat of a cult following.
I had no idea that expressing my opinion about a couple of group workouts would get the response it did. I’m not used to my blog getting a whole lot of attention to tell you the truth. It’s funny because I have long wondered why I wasn’t getting the same number of comments as others whom I considered peers. You know those kinds of thoughts that we think but don’t say out loud. “Wow she got 50 comments about the oatmeal she ate for breakfast, but the recipe that I painstakingly tested, photographed, edited photos for, blogged about and checked over 100 times for errors only got 5 comments.” Maybe because we might get some negative feedback. It’s easier to say “everything is awesome” than to share honest opinions.
I certainly had no intention of hurting feelings. I have no idea why I even named a name. It was just me telling my story. Writing in a diary so that the gals who felt the way that I did would know they are not alone. The same way I write reflective, sometimes negative posts about myself or anything else that bothers me.
In the posts where I share a negative, I also try to share positives and end on a happy note. I really thought I did that. But I suppose when writing long blog posts, they tend to be skimmed and possibly the negative part stands out like a sore thumb.
I do stand by that post because that was my experience. I did hope that my main point about the issues with group fitness and the idea that being sore is a good thing would have stood out more, but what can you do? I took out the trainer’s name because there was no need to single her out and I was truly devastated to have hurt her.
Lessons learned:
People do read my blog.
Don’t name names in a negative way unless you have real beef with that person.
People will probably skim long blog posts.
If I’m going against the majority, I might get some flack. (And that’s okay sometimes.)
Much love and goodnight,
Amanda
Sorry you had a negative experience – that’s pretty much why I gave up blogging. I found even when I changed and took out names, people still knew who I was talking about and got upset. Hope you keep at it 🙂
Thanks Pattie. I was very close…I mean if you can’t share your true feelings on a blog…what is it? Fake. Fluff.
Life isn’t all butterflies and rainbows and “I LOVE everything!” 😉
Sorry you had a negative experience – that’s pretty much why I gave up blogging. I found even when I changed and took out names, people still knew who I was talking about and got upset. Hope you keep at it 🙂
Thanks Pattie. I was very close…I mean if you can’t share your true feelings on a blog…what is it? Fake. Fluff.
Life isn’t all butterflies and rainbows and “I LOVE everything!” 😉
I just found your blog from the post you made on Tina’s! After reading this post I have gained an immense amount of respect for you. I mean it’s your blog and it doesn’t seem like you did anything that would be outrageously offensive, but keep blogging!
Thank you so much for checking out my blog, sky! And thank you for your kind comment! I will keep blogging, it was just a shock to get any negativity at all on the blog, but it happens and I’m learning a lot from that one post! 🙂
I just found your blog from the post you made on Tina’s! After reading this post I have gained an immense amount of respect for you. I mean it’s your blog and it doesn’t seem like you did anything that would be outrageously offensive, but keep blogging!
Thank you so much for checking out my blog, sky! And thank you for your kind comment! I will keep blogging, it was just a shock to get any negativity at all on the blog, but it happens and I’m learning a lot from that one post! 🙂
It’s funny to me, because I want people to read my blog, and I want comments, but it is also so personal in a way, and so you walk this fine line of public vs. private where everything is amplified to hurt more (but also the contrast!)
Right!? I feel like “diary” in the title is somewhat of a disclaimer…these are MY feelings people!! But at the same time I can’t really just unleash and write when I’m too emotional.
It’s funny to me, because I want people to read my blog, and I want comments, but it is also so personal in a way, and so you walk this fine line of public vs. private where everything is amplified to hurt more (but also the contrast!)
Oh honey, I’m so sorry you had to deal with that. I hate it when people jump to conclusions…if they had read your ENTIRE post, they would have seen your point clearly. You are a good person…and the fact that you wrote THIS post only confirms that!
*hugs*
Thanks so much friend! <3 <3
Oh honey, I’m so sorry you had to deal with that. I hate it when people jump to conclusions…if they had read your ENTIRE post, they would have seen your point clearly. You are a good person…and the fact that you wrote THIS post only confirms that!
*hugs*
Right!? I feel like “diary” in the title is somewhat of a disclaimer…these are MY feelings people!! But at the same time I can’t really just unleash and write when I’m too emotional.
Thanks so much friend! <3 <3