I always tell the truth on this blog. Because I don't like to get too negative, if I can't tell the truth, then I stay silent on a subject. I feel strongly about truth in my life, and in this space.
But many times, because of the nature of the internet, I cannot possibly share the whole truth. Whole truths are complicated and require lots of boring back story. Here I like to focus on the positive and the beautiful.
I have alluded to it a few times, but our current truth is that we have family members who are ill. More than one. Battling something very big, unfathomable even. And if you know me in real life, or hear this truth about our family, and then you come to my blog and see that I'm posting about beauty tips or our pet fish, I understand that this might be jarring.
Although it doesn't seem like I should have to, I want to tell you that what you read on this blog is not the entire story. I choose to blog while going through other stuff. I choose it for three main reasons:
1. Blogging is my passion. I love posts that are all words, I love posts that are all pictures. I love creating my own posts, I love reading other people's posts. Blogging is an outlet for me in so many ways. Some people deal with stress by cooking or baking or furiously cleaning their house. When I am stressed, I disappear into the internet.
2. Blogging has become more than a hobby. In the last few months, blogging and writing has provided a source of income that I cannot ignore. It's a self-discipline. I'm not punching a time clock, but I am starting to build something that I want to grow. Most people cannot just quit working when stress abounds.
3. I truly believe that there is community to be found on the internet. I believe this as it constantly unfolds in my life. I feel a kinship with the blogs I read, and with the HH readers. Some of my closest friends are people that I met on the internet before I knew them in real life. When our world was hit by tragedy last summer, I eventually took comfort in the messages of support from strangers.
So, this is why I keep blogging while other parts of life are difficult. There may come a time when I need to press pause, but right now my writing - here or otherwise - is anchoring me. I want this post to be an explanation and not a defense. I am as guilty as anyone of forgetting that a status update, an Instagram picture, it is not the whole of that person's life. Everyone has stuff.
I appreciate you being here, sharing what you're reading or your latest beauty tip, listening to me ramble. There are a lot of complaints about where technology has led us as a society, but I believe there are corners where we are the better for it. I hope this is one of them.
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To be clear, The Gorilla, Pigtail, Pirate, and I are all fine. I'm not trying to be coy and mysterious, but not all stories are mine to tell. And while we are walking through this with a loved one, I also mean for this post to stand alone as a commentary on the blogosphere. Thank you for being a part of the HH family.
