I'm sure you have all noticed, but lately I've been asking everyone on Twitter if I should still remain anonymous. Lately I have felt the HUGE need to tell people. I told my sister about my blog last month, and her and the boy keep telling me that I should tell people.
It also doesn't help that the boy has told a lot of his friends and family that I blog. Luckily I have told them all to not tell anyone, so no one else really knows. They also don't know the URL (at least I don't think), so I am safe there as well.
I do think that I am not entirely anonymous. I talk a ton about my life, I am Facebook friends with some of you, some of you have my cell phone number, and there are pictures of me out there on my blog, Pinterest, Twitter, etc. I just try not to post anything directly on my homepage of my blog.
This is mainly for my safety. I am able to talk about whatever I want without worrying if someone will find out and that I will hurt their feelings.
I also talk a ton about money, and I go into detail with our budget, income and everything else. I wouldn't want some weirdo to know how much money I make, especially if this is a weirdo who me and the boy know. I wouldn't want to put anything at risk.
I last made a post on my decision to be anonymous in January.
I would like to tell my friends so that I am not so private about everything. They probably are starting to wonder why I am still so busy even though I don't have night classes anymore also.
One of the reasons that keeps holding me back is something that my friends recently said. We were all out one night and the topic of an acquaintance's blog came up. They were saying some not so kind things and it made me nervous to say anything. However, I'm afraid that one day they'll find out and wonder why I hid it.
I'm definitely NOT ashamed of my blog in anyway, but I do talk about a ton of personal things here on my blog.
And there are some things that Im not sure if I would want my friends to know, as it is all too personal and still upsets me.
Another reason why I want to share my blog is because I'm also starting a second blog (a site in which my sister will help run), and she wants it to not be anonymous. My friends will easily find it if she's not anonymous and I would rather tell them now then them finding Making Sense of Cents and questioning it.
So I guess the thing is, if I were to stop being anonymous and became public with my identity, I would have to hide certain things, such as how much money I make. Or would I not? What would you do? Keep everything the same or hide some things in order to protect yourself?
If you have posts that explain why you're anonymous or not, please leave them below in the comments. I would love to read them!
What do you think?
Were you ever anonymous and then decided to not be so private?
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Brittany says
October 17, 2012 at 9:25 amI am semi-anonymous. I’ve always said semi because I use my first name and don’t hide what state I’m in. However I’ve never used my last name, don’t say my city, and don’t really tell people about it.
I went to a blogging conference last weekend, so I ended up having to explain to some people why. If I were you, I would keep this anonymous. You share a lot of personal info here that is really helpful. I bet if you start being more open, you will hold back more. Is it possible to explain to your sister why this is private, and ask her to not share the link here with others?
Btw I totally relate to mother issues. Ugh. But that’s one more reason I don’t want people being able to google me, find my blog and get the “gossip.”
Kristine says
October 17, 2012 at 9:52 amI have had my blog for 3 years and last year I finally told my sister about my blog. I gave her the link to it but I don't even think she reads it. I started mentioning to people that I have a blog but I have yet to share the address with them. Sometimes I want to put the link on my facebook and let everyone know, but my blog is a place of no jugement. I am very open with my feelings and don't ever want to feel like I have to be careful with what I say. My blog is my safe place and I like it that way.
Lesley says
October 17, 2012 at 12:30 pmi definitely understand why you are anon, but i would love it if you weren't only so the blog would feel more personal and i could know you better.
My recent post diy: holiday table runner by lindsey @ sensible nonsense.
MakingSenseofCents says
October 17, 2012 at 11:39 pmI agree, that's why I would love to not be an anon. Posting pictures of my actual face would feel great!
mysocalledchaos says
October 17, 2012 at 2:26 pmI don't think there is a problem so much with showing who you are, or showing pictures if you want, but I would recommend never using your full name… In fact if you give yourself a nickname or pseudonym, it may be better for you. I'm wishing I would have done that all along!
Canadianbudgetbinder says
October 17, 2012 at 2:27 pmWell everyone who reads my blog knows I'm anonymous and it doesn't bother me at all but for my family and my career that trumps all when it comes to a blog. Too many implications if I potentially say or do the wrong thing although I'm always a nice bloke. Do what you feel is best but I believe Pauline had a couple questions to ask yourself. Best of luck with your decision. Mr.CBB
My recent post The Grocery Game Challenge Oct 15-21,2012~ Welfare Food Challenge
Alyx says
October 17, 2012 at 8:50 pmThat's a tough one – I feel like you should do whatever you feel most comfortable with, especially if it comes down to your safety.
Susan says
October 17, 2012 at 10:05 pmYou seem to be thinking in your case it's an all or (mostly) nothing proposition – either you tell everyone or you tell no one. Clearly the secrecy is weighing on you because you're holding yourself back from friends. Why not try an incremental approach similar to your boyfriend's. Choose a few friends you would like to know and see how it feels to let them in, Mom issues and all. After awhile you can assess your comfort level and see if this is something you're comfortable expanding or you'd rather stay relatively anonymous.
On the Mom issue, for what it's worth I think you did and are doing the right thing. I'm sorry she took your inheritance but you sleep better at night knowing you're not arguing with her over that anymore. But giving her more of your hard earned money so she can go on vacation? No, absolutely not. I know it doesn't help the hurt but you're doing the right thing. You've made your stand. Don't back down. The hard part of making the decision is over. Wishing you all the best.
MakingSenseofCents says
October 17, 2012 at 11:37 pmThank you Susan, I appreciate it a lot.
Christa says
October 18, 2012 at 1:57 pmI would remain anonymous and just share with those closest to you. That way, you're free to be as open as you wish. It does make writing a little stifled if you're not anonymous.
My recent post Purchasing an Investment Property with a Loan
myjourneytomillions says
October 18, 2012 at 2:46 pmFor the most part I am anonymous. A few friends have sniffed out my blog (they looked hard lol) and it has changed some of my posts. Being anonymous lets you be free.
My recent post Where Did All the NFL Owners Obtain their Wealth?
Paige says
October 18, 2012 at 6:19 pmI am totally anonymous, and it's not really by choice. I would love to not have to hide my identity, as I feel I could share a lot more about my job and my everyday experiences. However, as a (future!) lawyer having my own personal ramblings out there for any potential client to see is a huge liability.
Makaila says
November 2, 2012 at 1:01 pmI wish I was anonymous. 🙂
Dai says
April 12, 2013 at 11:20 pmFor the reasons you mentioned, I'd stay anonymous. ahhh… it's like feeling conflicted like a super hero 😉 good luck with your decision.