Whenever I learn that certain people are reading my blog — relatives, colleagues, potential opportunity bearers — my words become stifled. I get all jittery. I want to appear this way, but not that way, should I go back and edit?
So I’ll semi-consciously write filler posts and hope that they’ll get bored and move on to read about Jon and Kate or something. Nope, nothing here. Mosey along. Then once they’re gone, I’ll start up my little party once again. (Yeah, I know, worst party ever — here, take a virtual shot of Patron.)
But I realize that having a blog titled MY REAL NAME comes with some limitations. They’re more like hurdles, really. I’ve been reading a lot of amazing blogs, blogs about life, design, events, relationships, work, food, celebs. It’s easy to want to be like all of them, to want to do everything.
I believe it was Julia Allison who once said (yes, I take life/love/career advice from Julia Allison, so what?) that we must choose our online personas. You can’t be everything to everyone because you won’t be anyone particularly well. Not everyone will “get” the persona you choose, but it’s okay. As long as you run with it.
(It’s not that I want to become blog-famous or anything … it’s … okay, it’s totally that I want to become blog-famous, but it’s more that I just want to get over this awful writer’s block and get into a zone again — any zone.)
I have been having a tough time choosing my persona. Should I be a stylish L.A. trendsetter who spends her weeknights at parties and premieres? Should I write about Asian American issues, like what I do every day at work? Should I blog about stuff in an attempt to get more stuff?
I could (and I’ve thought about trying each), but my blog would suck. And I wouldn’t love it as much.
So who do I choose?
I choose to be a slightly awkward, perpetually frazzled young woman who drinks too much Red Bull and stays up too late and never irons her clothes. I choose to be a wistful dreamer who aims for the stars, but misplaces her to-do list on a daily basis. I choose to be the one who can’t listen to loud music, who loves the sun but hates wearing sunglasses, who still misses college, who’s given up on trying to be classy, who’s kind of ridiculously happy right now, but too scared to admit it.
I choose to be me. I’m pretty good at it.
Wow Michelle, I really needed to hear that! I think a lot of us have had this same experience. I pretty much stopped blogging for the last month because I decided I needed to reinvent myself, but I inevitably discovered that I’m really only good at being me. (Go figure, right?) Besides… I LOVE your blog. It’s adorable. You’re adorable. Keep at it!
it’s hard for me to choose just one theme or focus on a blog. i like variety.
We choose you too, Ms. woo! =)
I choose you too. And I choose just to be me on my blog too.
Yay us!
I’m totally Team Woo!
Being yourself is always best. Really, thats why I come here day after day. I like being myself best too.
Such a wise choice. I really wish more bloggers made the same choice.
I like “you” :) And I love your posts!
Amen, sista.
LOVE this. There’s more than enough reporting, re-reporting, and clever commentary online. Only you can be the one and only you and share it with the world. Cheers.
Best choice ever, girlie. I can see all the aspects from other types of personas in the real you too. It’s good!
Hear, hear! You’re all kinds of awesome, so good choice.
I like you :)
You’re pretty blog-famous to me.
“I choose to be me.” And people will love you for it! Believe me, blog-star-dom is not far away ;)
“Should I be a stylish L.A. trendsetter who spends her weeknights at parties and premieres? Should I write about Asian American issues, like what I do every day at work? Should I blog about stuff in an attempt to get more stuff?” I’ve had this exact debate with myself before, and now my blog has fallen into a dating/relationships zone that I can’t get out of. It’s a vicious cycle – the more I blog about dating, the more single female readers I get who want to read about dating, the more I blog about dating.
Sometimes I do wish my blog was seen more than that though – although I don’t think I could ever really make it an It Girl blog unless I move to NYC and start whoring myself out. Hmm…
I love YOU michelle! Even with your orange tainted flaming hot cheeto fingers.
well said michelle, i’m glad you chose you because then this blog would get pretty lame without you :)
I love this — I have this struggle ALL the time. When you attach your name to something and can’t hide behind your anonymous internet-self it gets difficult to figure out what exactly you want to be to the e-world. I know I go back and forth, especially thinking of the different audienes that are reading…