The Right Words Don’t Belong Here

Diary

Image by Barnaby via Flickr

I wish I could put what is in my head into words. I wish I could unburden myself, pour it all out of myself in a thick stream, and have something that makes any kind of sense come out.  This blog was started as a personal diary, but back then, there was no Twitter or Facebook. I didn’t know about Google, about each individual post being it’s own search result. I didn’t know how not private a blog is.

Unless I were to password-protect this blog, there’s no way to make what I write here private. There’s no way I can use this space as a place to write about what’s really happening in my life, because it’s not really personal anymore. Table for Five is a brand, an entity with a life of it’s own. But all I want to do right now is write, unburden, purge.

The problem with blogging as a job is that any other kind of blogging besides the kind that furthers business goals feels like cheating. I need 5 or 6 hours a day MINIMUM to make even a small dent in my email and update my three blogs.  The problem is, the place I’m in right now in my head, I’d rather spend that 5 or 6 hours a day on denial and avoidance and trying to shake it off so I can move forward.

I realize how cryptic I’m being here, which is exactly the problem.

There’s a lot going on in my life right now. I feel just a little bit like my arms and legs have each been tied to a separate horse, and someone’s about to crack a whip and yell GO.   I can’t deal with all the broken things but I can’t figure out how to fix them all, either.   I’ve completely given up on expectations of perfection, now I would settle for just okay most days.

And now comes the part where I admit just how lame I am – one of the reasons I don’t just start a private blog is because I would hope for comments on my posts. *hangs head in shame*  Yes, it’s true. Even if I were blogging about my personal problems, I would still hope for a few friendly, supportive comments once in a while. Maybe someone would read something they could relate to, something they’ve been through themselves, and would have a comment that would make me feel better.

Is that wrong?

So that’s where I am right now.  It’s so hard for me to focus on any one thing that I can’t focus on anything. My head is a swirling pool of unfocused thoughts and plans. I’ve used more similes and metaphors in this post than I can count, because I don’t know how else to explain anything.  I just wanted to write something here, so that some day maybe I can look back and say that I tried to explain it, without actually, um, explaining anything at all.

Damn it.

It’s supremely weird that I’m basically telling all of you that I have stuff to blog about that I don’t want to post here, but I don’t want it to be private, so if you wanted to, you know, read my Ode to Unburdening, you would have to ask me for the URL to the blog, which is you admitting that you would be fascinated by my internal turmoil, and me admitting that I would want to open myself up like I never have before, expose all kinds of ugliness, knowing that people who were likely to share an elevator with me at BlogHer would be reading it.

Blogging is really weird sometimes, you know?

It’s because I have this blog that I haven’t just gone and buried my head in the proverbial sand and disappeared. It’s bad enough that there are huge gaps where I wrote almost nothing personal at all, during my year of making badly-needed money but losing almost everyone who originally read this blog and who also, probably not coincidentally, moved on to bigger and better things while I stood back at the starting line yelling wait, what about me?

Issues, much?

The issues I have right now could fill a book. A THICK book. If I started from the beginning, if I broke my life down for you into manageable chunks and told you what I’ve done, where I’ve been, and how messed up things are now, you would probably give me a wide berth on that BlogHer elevator. Or maybe you wouldn’t, I don’t know. I hate being this fucking passive-aggressive.  So, I’m going to stop now and hit publish, and go take a two hour nap while Kaitlyn takes hers, and maybe when I wake up, everything will feel a little better. Sorry to go all Emo on you.

 

 

 

 

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Comments

  1. Busy Mom
    Twitter:
    says:

    I’m sorry you’re going through so much. Is there a way to password certain entries so you can unburden yourself a little bit?

  2. Kristen says:

    Elizabeth, I am so sorry. How about posting anonymously at someplace like http://www.bandbacktogether.com/ ? That might be a good place to get it all out.

  3. Dawn says:

    I understand Elizabeth. I truly do. I had to make decisions about my own blogging and what I wanted it to be, as well as my engagement in other social media etc.

    In the end, I chose something that I could be Happy with – because at the end of the day? It is not about being a brand, or an entity – it is about being who you Are. There was a moment, and they still exist for me, when I could Join in and run free with the big dog bloggers and promote the shit out of myself and Be the Brand.

    Yet, I can never do it. It is not comfortable for me. So I never go.

    As such, I think I have retained something of the same voice, the same Me who started blogging in 2005. I can still talk about many of my struggles and doubts and funny and pretend that there is no one really reading it. Why? Because while I am a Writer and a Blogger, I am not only those things.

    And neither are you. Perhaps, and I say this with the knowledge that we go back to the very beginning, it is time for you to look at your expectations. Are they making you happy? Are they fitting in with the “not internet” part of your life? Is “building your brand” what you want to invest energy towards?

    But at the end, you have to be at peace with your decisions.

  4. Anna
    Twitter:
    says:

    Even though you didn’t actually say anything – and I certainly do understand that because I’m always thinking about what I’m writing and who’s going to read it, instead of just saying what I want to say, because, after all, it is my blog – it’s obvious you’re hurting and not quite sure what to do with it.

    I have no advice. Just know, that I’ll like you anyway.
    Anna recently posted..Express Spring 2011 Swim CollectionMy Profile

  5. Lisa
    Twitter:
    says:

    You could password protect some of the entries. (I think somebody else said that).

    However, you may need to do what I did — I took back my personal blog. I only post (unless you pay me a good chunk of money or give me an awesome giveaway to do) on there if it’s personal. Granted, I’m doing a lot of politics blogging, but it’s blogging I want to do on there. Know what I mean?

    And your worth isn’t the # of comments you get on a post :P I’ve been here since the beginning (lurking most of the time as you know), so you haven’t lost everybody.
    Lisa recently posted..Live In Wisconsin Think Scott Walker’s Budget Repair Won’t Effect YouMy Profile

  6. Diane
    Twitter:
    says:

    Maybe you could update your blogs less so you have more downtime. I don’t mind when bloggers post personal posts, sometimes it’s refreshing to see “real” emotions instead of a giveaway or a sponsored posts. Whatever you choose to do, it’s your blog so you can do whatever you want with it : )
    Diane recently posted..Wellness Cat Food Voluntary Recall!My Profile

  7. Jill Myrick says:

    I hope you work things out and feel better soon.((hugs))

  8. Julie L says:

    Elizabeth-I completely understand where you are coming from and how you are feeling…I can honestly relate to what u said above because right now I feel overwhelmed and down…..thanks for being honest in how u feel I REALLY do appreciate it Hang in there

  9. Diane says:

    As a new-ish blogger, I found your blog and like what I read. I don’t know and can’t compare how you started with where you are now…but, know that many of us like the messages you do choose to share. Maybe try to lighten your thought processes about what we want and do what you want :) I’m sorry about your anxiety!
    childhoodmyths.blogspot.com

  10. Jay says:

    I like your blog and I like that you are explaining the process behind blogging and what goes on in your creative mind.

    http://www.appliancerepairlesson.com/

  11. Jay says:

    I like your blog and how you’re talking about the creativity behind the blog as you see it.

    http://www.appliancerepairlesson.com/
    Jay recently posted..Electrolux Icon Wall Oven No Heat After Self Clean Frigidaire Oven Repair HelpMy Profile

  12. Jay says:

    I like your blog and how you’re talking about the creativity behind the blog as you see it. http://www.appliancerepairlesson.com/ Good luck to you

  13. Liz says:

    Sometimes, you just have to let go…a little…sending along a hug and hope you find some inner-peace, real soon.
    Liz recently posted..HALP! Ive Fallen &amp Cant Stop Leaving Stupid Voicemails!My Profile

  14. I’m not sure this will work for you, but when I need to write a personal post, I just clean it up a little. I leave enough information in to get the cathartic effect, but I leave out the details that would make my readers realize what a nut I am. Hope that helps!
    Annette Berlin recently posted..12 Crafty Ways To Recycle A GlobeMy Profile

  15. Like most of your readers, I totally understand where you are coming from and I hope you feel better soon.

  16. Naomi
    Twitter:
    says:

    I hear you. I wrestle with keeping a light tone on my blog, too.

    I would totally read your innermost thoughts and turmoil, just so you know. You’re also welcome to email ‘em to me if you just need someone to vent to.
    Naomi recently posted..Tarte Welcomes SpringMy Profile

  17. bedi says:

    nice discovery, and very informative post.. thanks to share.. it will help the novice bloggers a lot… keep posting this type of stuffs.

  18. Rjeem says:

    I love your blog and the way your blogging and I do understand your feelings, but look around you and check all those comments and people here on your blog to see that you are a successful blogger that knows how to build good relationship and followers.
    All the Best
    Rjeem recently posted..كيف تتبعوا برنامج رجيم صحي ودايت سريع حتى لو لم يكن هنالك الوقت لذلك؟My Profile

  19. roo says:

    Well, as someone with one of those anonymous blogs that doesn’t get many comments, I can admit there’s a downside and an upside to being able to write whatever you want.

    I remember you from back in the day. And I admit it was hard for me to keep up with your blog when you started writing more explicitly to support yourself. But I envy that, too– there are two green fields on each side of this fence. And I still care about what you want to say.

    If you’re interested, I’d be happy to host a guest post over in slow-traffic, anonymous land. I can promise you at least one friendly comment!

  20. Kelly says:

    Please continue to write whatever you want to write on the blog if your blog aim is to remove everything you have in mind. This is important so that you are free from the burden of thought and freedom from stress. Blogging does have a lot of goals. That’s up to you. It’s your rights. Therefore do not think the other. Thank you.

  21. Arthur says:

    Wow, this is very good. I love the way you write, which is very encompassing and fascinating:D thank you

  22. alice says:

    hi, me too is going though difficult time. Maybe it’s not difficult. But it changes my life. I was just engaged with my boyfriend. I become new wife, sister and daughter-in-law. It’s e tough for me to the new roles. I feel I am not the original person anymore. All people look at me and laugh at me when I make any small mistake. How hard it is.

    I can not tell it to any person in real life. So I choose to say it on Internet. I believe it’s a good way. Hope it helps you, too.

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