First off, excuse the language but I felt it appropriate for the topic we’re discussing today in my #BloggingDesk series. In this series, I like to talk openly and honestly about the forum of blogging, the good and the bad, both necessary for the evolution of this type of writing and sharing on the internet. And as readers of Land of Marvels or as bloggers yourself, I’m sure by now you’re aware of how sometimes our little spaces on the internet can bring about negativity, most of the time, from no direct result of our own.
I’ve dealt with my fair share of negativity and hurtful comments over my years of blogging and as Land of Marvels has grown, the negativity that comes with that is sometimes a very negative aspect of blogging. I’ll be honest, there have been points in my blogging life when I’ve debated whether it’s worth it, whether dealing with the negativity here and there is really a worthwhile trade off for the amazing things blogging has brought to my life. From GOMI forums that debated (very rudely I might add) whether I was actually lying about my birth and childhood in Saudi Arabia (I’m not – and I have a passport and birth certificate to prove it), about how I think I know everything about travel (I don’t – but I try to share what I do know to help others travel) to comments left on blog posts that attack me for things I write or say or do (most of which I take down as I don’t want the negativity here in what I want to be a positive space). And while the negativity or rather, blogging bullish*t, doesn’t happen regularly, but instead pops up randomly here and there, I have learned one rather large lesson from it all : it simply doesn’t matter.
It’s taken me a few years and some tears shed along the way to realize this, but in the end, I simply don’t care what people want to say about me. If they want to lie or gossip behind screen names and anonymity, that’s their choice. I have made a choice as a blogger and as a writer and as a woman that their passive aggression shouldn’t have an affect on me and my life and the community I’ve built here at LOM. And perhaps from that lesson, I’ve been able to let more brush off my back and get back to what I really love, which is sharing travel with all of you lovely readers from around the world and having meaningful and amazing conversations with you each and every day.
So in the end, as bloggers or writers or women or whatever we are, we must all remember that no matter what negativity comes our way, it really doesn’t matter. As long as we’re true to ourselves, push forward with perseverance and drive, and dream up whatever we might desire, we’re better off leaving the bulls*t as just that. We’re better than to stoop to the level of these people hiding behind their computers spouting off bullsh*t about people they don’t know. In the end, we rise above.
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Emily of Em Busy Living says
I can’t believe that people even take the time to go onto a separate space and write hateful things about people they don’t know.
Casey says
I know, right? I don’t get it!
Kristin says
It still shocks me to hear that people attack you and leave hateful comments – I’ve always seen your blog as nothing but positive, even when you’re tackling difficult and potentially controversial issues! With all the nastiness online, they pick you to go after? I’d like to say a lot of things about humanity these days, but let me just go with: People confuse me. Big time.
Sorry for the mini-rant. It just sucks that with all the work that needs to be done to HELP people these days, some not only refuse to help, but still find the time to sit behind the anonymity of their screens and try to drag everyone down.
Casey says
Thanks so much Kristin for your kind words! And I agree with everything you said! 🙂
amelia says
I can’t believe you’ve had so much BS where it’s affected you so much, let alone from people who came to your site and read your post! That’s crazy, I’m sorry you’ve had to go through that, but I’m so glad you’ve not let it affect you and have kept going!
http://www.ceoinprogress.com
Casey says
Thank you so much! And yes, isn’t it weird that people do that!?!?!
amelia says
So weird!! People have too much free time or something! 🙂
Casey says
Totally!
Elizabeth Georgian says
That is really strange that people even question where you were born/grew up! How strange! I’m glad that you keep blogging despite this!
Casey says
I know!!! I really don’t get it!
Rosie | Girl In Awe says
Well said. When you blog, you’re putting parts of your life out there and for some reason, some people feel this means they know everything about your life and that they can doubt you and try to tear you apart because of it. I had an ex’s relative send me a horrible, hateful letter based on misinformation and the fact she’d read my blog every day for 4 years and that meant she knew me inside out. It was horrible, so I have some understanding of how you feel, and it put me off blogging for a while. Until I realised it doesn’t matter and I’m not going to let someone take away something I enjoy doing.
Casey says
Wow, that’s horrible that someone would write you about something they don’t even know about! Glad you’re back at it though! 🙂
Christy Poelker Rodriguez says
I appreciate you sharing the good, bad and ugly. I enjoy reading your blog for the positive vibes you bring and the fact that you make travel seem so accessible. For what it’s worth, I really appreciate your travel insights. I don’t always agree with everything you say (for me personally, I like to travel a little slower) BUT I always feel like you are able to get to the heart and soul of a place much quicker than I can!
Casey says
Thank you so much for your kind words and I love that not all my readers agree with me on everything, that’s what makes this community so worthwhile! Everyone’s different and this is just my story – we all have our own unique stories and journeys which makes it all the better!
[email protected] says
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