The virtual and the real..
Yes I still insist on categorizing them as two completely different lives…and I’m going to keep it this way.
You see most of my “online/blog” friends are people I’ve never met..and I met the other few online/through the blog. My “real” friends are the people I know or met through these 23 years of my life. I chose the terms “real” and “virtual” simply because these are the terms used. But believe me…I have “virtual” friends who are to me..much more “real” friends.
Why I chose to separate both? Simply because I can’t handle merging them together..here’s why..
My blogging experience started in 20062005 with a lousy MSN live “space” that included nothing but photos and stupid diaries. I did because it integrated well with the MSN live messenger (what was I thinking :S). It was just a way to stay connected with my friends in Egypt when I left there…it was like my FaceBook page back then..
Then I met the first blogger (gr33ndata)..and throuh his blog, I got introduced to the wonderful world of blogging.. By time, I began to write a bit more seriously..I remember the first post I was ever proud of (and still) ; it was a really pissed off post about “Sexual Harrassement” where I wrote about the first time I was harrassed..the incident that NO ONE knew about ..
At this point, I knew that through the blog, I can talk about stuff I can’t talk about in the “real” world…I deleted the MSN space..and moved to blogspot; Simply because people wouldn’t understand…It might sound a stupid reason, trust me it’s not.
You see, I’m a person who’s known as the “girl-who’s-always-lauging” (or La Vache Qui Rie :P), noone ever saw me crying (I make sure they don’t). Where in my blog, I’m free, I can be sad, angry, depressed, happy, great, silly, in love…etc without worrying about silly comments or looks the other day. People here are honest (sometimes too much :D) and genuine.
It’s true that I keep a line between both worlds..but at the same time I don’t hide them..most of you guys know my real name (it’s Layal 🙂 ). I just don’t mention my blogging experience in “real” social gatherings. And most importantly, I don’t have my blog link in my FaceBook page, and I don’t have my FaceBook page link here…
The interesting thing is that I mentioned in a job interview that I own a blog(didn’t give the URL though)..and it somehow got me the job I have now 😉
I wrote this because I wanted to know if this is a common thing…or it’s just me..is your blog a part of your “real” life?
6 Comments
is your blog a part of your “real” life?
It wasn’t but it became unfortunately!
My friends somehow discovered that I have a blog !
they didn’t tell me for months that they knew and they kept reading my posts! Imagine!
Ever since then I’m not feeling comfortable writing at all but lately I started to tell my self screw it ! I am what I am
I wouldn’t say It’s a part of my life now , I used to have a blog 2 years ago where It was really my life and started to know many of my friends online ..
But since I started working I had my own diary .. Diary which represents the real life I have .. Most or all of public posts in my diary are real things in my life .. and am keeping the private things that I cannot post ..
and now It looks like Tweeting has a great part of my real life where I really met some of the great people whom I consider to be so real friends
founoon..I understand why you said “unfortunately”..and yes..just be yourself..and makes me wonder if my friends are reading without me knowing..that would be a problem 🙂
Hisham..
I agree..tweeting is great..and it’s good for you that you can manage this kind of merging..if it’s comfortable to you..
But you see..you can’t post the private issues..that’s what I don’t want to lose..
And yes I agree..the people you meet online are much better and more real..I’ve met some amazing people through this blog..
This is good, nightS. A blog is a person’s place, regardless the content presnted there (political, personal, ect). I believe in Oscar Wilde’s quote “Be yourself, because everybody else is taken” so it’s important that everybody to be himself/herself not what people want them to be.
On the other hand, I also believe in “borders” either in real life or the virtual ones (blogs/social media communities) so it’s important to keep personal stuff out of mentioning unless the author felt he/she felt like wanna sharing. Anyway it’s the person’s space in the 1st place.
i blogged my answer for you: http://sunkentreasure6.blogspot.com/2009/08/connecting-people.html 🙂
Hicham..
loved the quote 🙂
I know there are borders in both worlds…they’re just less in the virtual world 🙂
Nour..
thanks for your “connecting” post :)…I totally understand why you’re considering privatizing the blog…in the end, do whatever suits you and only you..