Being told that the only reason I have my blog is because I love the access it allows me to copious amounts of sympathy, that in actual fact this blog is rather boring and what is the actual point of it other than to feed my own ego?! This really made me stop and think.
I did a lot of thinking about myself as a person and then about my blog. Was I really just looking for sympathy? No. Is that how it comes across though? I sat down and trawled through over 400 hundred posts that I have written in the past year to see and I was left feeling unsure momentarily. Yes, I have bared everything from my soul down to my toes and all that’s in between, but I never set out looking for sympathy. I never asked for sympathy it was just given freely. A lot has happened to me these past couple of years and now rather than bottling them all up and feeling like total crap, I write them down. I write them down, hit publish and it’s like breathing a sigh of relief and like a weight has been lifted off my shoulders. I don’t expect or even ask anyone to read these posts but if they do great. If they want to comment then even better.
Something I have 
noticed about a lot of the comments on my “Synpathy Seeking Posts” is that a lot of the time, people are either going through or have been through the same thing and rather than piles of sympathy are actually offering advice and comfort. Is there something wrong with that? I read blogs all the time – people suffering from PND, broken marriages, abuse, conception problems, death and all sorts… are they all just pity parties looking for all the sympathy they can get too?! No, they aren’t. They are people who wanted to share either for their own need to release their feelings or in the hopes that by sharing their experience someone else may not have to suffer what they themselves have been through. Do you know what?? I call that bloody brave, not attention seeking.
So let me just clear a few things up… I don’t write my posts for sympathy and even if I did – who cares?! It is my blog and I will write whatever the hell I god damn want to. In case you haven’t notice there are some happy posts too! Secondly, if my blog is so boring well then STOP READING IT! I mean I completely appreciate the fact you are adding to my stats and page views but trust me I can live without you visiting my blog on a daily basis and just as a hint… you know those emails you get letting you know there is a new post on my blog? Well, at the bottom of that email is a little button called UNSUBSCRIBE, so feel free to hit it any time.
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42 Comments
Well said lovely! I’ve never read your posts as a means of trying to get sympathy – just you being honest, telling it like it is and getting it off your chest. It’s one of the great things about blogging – that ability to express – and it is great for your readers because they know they’re not alone if they’ve felt a similar way. You carry on doing what you’re doing – it’s your blog after all and it’s not like you’re forcing anyone to read it! xx
You keep doing you! I love your blog. A huge part of blogging IS sharing your experiences in the hope that someone can relate.
Argh Katie everyone deals with things in their own way. You’ve had a rotten spell of late and if writing about it helps then so be it. Do it and don’t give two hoots what people say. If people wish to offer their sympathy that is their choice, I don’t recall you having ever asked for it. We deal how we deal never be made to think otherwise and keep going as you are!! Xx
This is YOUR space and therefore you choose what to write. You don’t do woe is me, you do honesty and that’s why so many people like your blog. People can relate to it because it is true to life. As for trolls, ignore them. Trolls are normally people with issues of their own and they make themselves feel better by sharing their venom and trying to bring others down xx
How flipping rude! Your blog is your outlet for you. You choose what to write and your reader chooses whether to read and then whether to comment. For we are all grown ups capable of free thought.
Even IF you wrote your posts hoping for a sympathetic ear then that’s your prerogative. We all take our hugs where we can get them.
I’m shocked someone would say such a thing! I’m curious as to whether it’s RL friend or not but that’s just me being nosey.
Keep on keeping on x
Wow, who would say something like that? That’s terrible. Do they not get that hearing other people’s stories can be helpful for people going through similar things? At least the blogging community is so supportive and non-judgmental! #ablogginggoodtime
I don’t think your posts read as ‘woe is me’ – like many bloggers, you write openly about your life and your struggles. It helps you to get your feelings down, and it helps others who may be going through something similar and feel less alone after reading your posts. Keep doing what you’re doing, and know that you have a community of people who will support you through good times and bad! #ablogginggoodtime
It amazes me that people feel the need to criticise like that, they should just go else where or mind their own business! If your blog is about you and your life, the worse thing you can do is be false and pretend all is fabulous when it isn’t. Blogging is therapy, and being open and honest is the only way to make it effective therapy. Highs, lows, we all go through them! You’re going to have a great 2017 where everything goes your way and your blog will reflect that- everything changes! xx #ablogginggoodtime
Awwww my lovely are you ok? I hope your feeling better? awwww your life doesn’t suck!
I’m taking the piss by the way, f**k whoever had the nerve to say this to you! how dare they!! it is your blog, you write about what you want! I went through my past posts the other day and thought they was all a little negative, but hey that’s the way I was feeling a lot of last year so that’s the content! I don’t write posts for comments or even for people to read them, its a way of letting it all out for me, keep on keeping on!! Id much rather read posts that are a real then whats in someones bag. (not that theres anything wrong with “whats in my bag” posts)
#ablogginggoodtime
Ah people can be rubbish. Negative comments always stem from jealousy, because you can do something that they can’t so they would rather pick it apart than celebrate it with you #ablogginggoodtime
Well done for such a great post – seriously some people will say the most ridiculous things and I swear they have nothing better to do with their lives! Your blog is brilliant – I love reading it – so definitely just ignore them – it’s just fluff!!!!!! As my mum says ‘they’ve opened their mouths and let the wind blow their tongue around!’. #ablogginggoodtime
I love your blog- it is real and raw and true and that is what resonates with me.
Please dont change a thing.
#ablogginggoodtime
Bloody hell! Who on earth would say that? I’m shocked and I hope you’ve blocked them from ever reading your blog again. So so rude and so hurtful. It’s the one thing that scares me about writing is the hearing of opinions that I’m not going to like but never would I think someone could be that unkind. I sincerely hope that this is not someone you know and that it’s just some random idiot that clearly hasn’t a clue! #ablogginggoodtime
Gosh, I hope you gave whoever said that the kind of robust response they deserved. That’s really rude and unkind. We all blog about our lives and sometimes those lives are pants. That’s not looking for sympathy or attention seeking or whatever. That’s just how it is. Grrrrrr. What are they looking for, endless “everything is awesome” posts?!
Have some virtual tea and biscuits.
#ablogginggoodtime
I am literally crying with laughter here! Well bloody said, some people are simply arseholes! x #ablogginggoodtime
There will always be negative people, keep on doing a great job. Your blog and your experiences resonate with other people, and that’s important. Xx #ablogginggoodtime
One of my favourite sayings is ‘you do you and I’ll do me’ and that couldn’t be more perfect for your blog. You keep doing what you want to do đŸ™‚ #ablogginggoodtime
Helen x
http://www.treasureeverymoment.co.uk/
What madness, only someone who feels and thinks exactly like that would say such a comment! Blogging is about expression, if we don’t have a space in which we can express how we’re feeling, it builds up into an unhealthy bubble.
Happy blogging and fingers in ears to such silly comments made by silly billys #ablogginggoodtime
People without a blog, or a writing outlet, can be quite blase about it, but at the end of the day blogging, at least for me, is a form of therapy. It’s such a relieving feeling to get your bad days and struggles down on paper, and then to have a response from someone else going through the same thing can be life affirming. You’re not alone. I read blogs that I empathise with – we’ve all got our problems and it’s nice to know that not everyone’s life is Instagram perfect!! #ablogginggoodtime
The best thing about being part of this community is how supportive it is. Whether we share the good, the bad or the ugly we have each others backs! Unfortunately there’s always the odd one that pops out of the woodwork…grrr!
#ablogginggoodtime
In my opinion, that is what makes your writing awesome. It is real and raw. Keep it going.
#ablogginggoodtime
I can’t even believe someone would say that! How so very rude! It’s like those people who assume that anyone who doesn’t have a FB account has something to hide!
Keep writing and keep sharing đŸ™‚
#abloggingoodtime
Do i need to get a second body bag Katie? hahahaha
tell them to do one. you write the truth no matter how happy or sad it is. they need to get over themselves or move on. Bye Felicia *waves* xx #ablogginggoodtime
There will always be people who are jealous of what you’ve achieved, and will seek to tear others down. I think you have a really engaging blog and I love your openness. Keep going! #ABloggingGoodTime
haha .. love the dry sarcasm. Sounds like someone is jealous to me!
#ablogginggoodtime
But…it’s your blog – you can write about what you want! We all deal with things in different ways and if your outlet is blogging about it, then so be it! It doesn’t sound like you’re just looking for sympathy and if people say you are, it sounds like they’re very rude indeed! #ABloggingGoodTime
I suppose everyone is entitled to their own opinion … but really, calling somebody’s blog a plea for sympathy is actually just trying to get their own attention. Like you said, they don’t have to read it. But they do and then they give you comments like that? Well, that’s their problem. You keep doing what you do.
You do your blog, your way! You’ve never come across as asking for sympathy, but who cares if you were?! Being open is a great thing, I think! Stupid person for saying such things about you and your blog. #ablogginggoodtime
If you ask me it seems like the perpetrator of these comments has had a visit from the green eyed monster!
Keep doing what your doing. People love you for been you, everyone else is just jealous of your success!!! #ablogginggoodtime
I don’t believe you are seeking sympathy. But, if you were, there is nothing wrong with that either! Eff those who judge! As for me, I blog as therapy. It helps me sort through this very strang and sometimes joyful journey called life. Hugs to you not for sympathy, just because! M’wah! #abloggingoodtime
Good for you! I love your blog, you aren’t looking for sympathy and if they don’t like it then why are they reading it? People are strange!lnarent they?! All I can say is that you are proving them wrong and kicking ass!! #ablogginggoodtime
Ha ha, great way to deal with the trolls, some people just get off on making others feels bad in a vain attempt to make themselves feel better. I love the honesty in your posts and putting it all out there is brave. I have been through some painful stuff that I don’t write about because I don’t have the courage to, but I love reading posts from others who have been through the same thing, they touch my heart and soul and let me know I’m not alone. These kind of posts aren’t just therapy for the blogger it for the readers it resonates with too. Don’t ever change x
#Ablogginggoodtime
I have read a lot of blogs. Like, A LOT of blogs. One thing I have noticed is that many people say that they find writing their blogs to be therapeutic. It sounds like that is what you’re saying. There is nothing wrong with that. Everyone who blogs knows that blogging is all about building a tribe. Why would we not share the good and the bad with our tribe? #ablogginggoodtime
It’s your blog and you can blog how you want to! You hit the nail on the head – if people don’t like a blog they can just stop reading it – simple! I have found the blogging world to be a very supportive place so far and I hope you continue to feel supported whilst you blog away. best wishes #ablogginggoodtime
Surely sharing is the whole point of blogging?!!#abloggingoodtime
Ah Katie, you wear your heart on your sleeve, that can make others uncomfortable sometimes but as all the other comments said – its your space to do and say what you want. This has to make you happy : )
400 posts that is amazing – keep doing what you do – as I always say #inspiring x
#OriginalTribester đŸ™‚
G’ah! I hate people who criticise what you write on your blog. Here’s an idea, if you don’t like it, stop reading!
The whole point of blogging is to share your experiences and views, if it wasn’t for blogs just think how many people would be going through life thinking that they were the only ones going through something.
You just keep doing what you do hon x #ablogginggoodtime
You rock girl. Surround yourself in the positives. #ablogginggoodtime
I love how genuine you are in your posts and on social media – I don’t ever feel like you are looking for sympathy. Far from it you are often in a very self-deprecating way showing how strong you are. Lots of love xx
Crikey – if you’re writing for sympathy then so must I be! Isn’t this what makes us rea? That we bare our souls and share stuff like this so that everyone else knows they’re not alone – and of course it’s an added extra if it makes us feel better. Some people have nothing better to do than to criticise. I expect it all boils down to jealousy. Think nothing of it and carry on writing your awesome content. #ablogginggoodtime
I can’t believe someone would say that! If they don’t like it they don’t have to read it – their comment smacks of jealousy to me… #ablogginggoodtime
Why do these people even bother? If I don’t like the look of a post or a title guess what guys?! I don’t click on it. To then sit and write a comment? Far too much time on their hands. And if they think blogging is easy and speaking from the heart is done to get sympathy maybe they should have a go at it themselves. We know how hard you work and how far you have come in such a short space of time. Hold your head up and be proud. You are helping certain people out there and those are the ones that matter xx #ablogginggoodtime