Thursday, November 3, 2011

being creepy.

Sometimes I wonder if I'm too creepy.

This is a conversation I feel like I am constantly having with the friends I've made online.
I started reading blogs religiously my freshman year of college, when I didn't have a blog or a tumblr or even a bloglovin account. 
I just bookmarked them on my computer (I had over 150 saved) and every day I would read them.
And I remember the first time I told someone I knew in real life about something I read on someone's blog, I used the words "my friend."
And inwardly I thought, "Who do I think I am? I don't know this person, and they have no idea who I am. Tone it down, psycho."
I also remember the first time I tweeted something to a blogger I followed. 
I panicked, hoping they wouldn't block/report me to twitter because they didn't know me and I had tried to contact them. 
The same with the first time I ever emailed a blogger, but that was anxiety x10000.

But you know what?
I have never received anything but unbelievably kind messages back. 
And now I am proud to call some of those people my very best friends in the world.

And when I started getting a few messages from people I didn't know, I was ecstatic.
I think in the blogging world, we tend to start every comment and message with "Not to be creepy, but..."
And I get why we do it. People have different reactions, and we don't want Chris Hansen banging down our door, questioning our motives while the cops wait outside with handcuffs, ready to tackle us if we run.


But you know what else?
I don't think we're being shady.
Part of writing a blog is putting yourself out there for others to read it.
That's what the comment button is for.

Now, if you watch the person who walks past your house every day from the window, and then go put a letter in their mailbox telling them all the things you like about them, that might be crossing a line.
Also, don't:
"great pics. that sweater looks sexy. follow back?"
(If you have instagram, you know what I'm talking about. There are some major weirdos on there.)

So next time you go to write a complementary email or comment, skip the "Hope I'm not being creepy..."
(Unless you really are being creepy.)


I have now typed the word creepy so many times that it's starting to look weird.

10 comments:

  1. Just came across your blog & haha I absolutely love this post! So true about the blogs you regularly read and feel like you're friends with... woops.

    M x www.whatwegandidnext.com

    ReplyDelete
  2. I freaking love you. I always feel bad when people begin emails with "I don't want to come across as a stalker, but I read your blog." I just remind them that almost 90% of the people that read my blog are people that I don't know in real life, and that it is OKAY.

    Basically I love you and can't wait until we hug in real life. Because you are one of my favorite girls ever.

    ReplyDelete
  3. Not to be creepy but... you totally thought about me when you wrote this. I just know it. :)

    ReplyDelete
  4. Your creepiness is what makes you special.

    I KID. But I love that we've had like 3 to 4 in-depth discussions on this topic. And I feel like I end every single one with the sweeping statement "we're just so awesome!"

    Cause it's true.

    ReplyDelete
  5. HAHA I just recently started getting into blogging and I totally pulled the "My friend" shenanigans! I was so embarrassed when I realized it. Glad I'm not the only one ;)

    ReplyDelete
  6. I absolutely love this post. All of it is so true, and I do feel quite creepy about it. But I've made some of my best friends on these websites (exhibit A: you!) and I'm not really that ashamed of either. Here's to social networking! ;)

    ReplyDelete
  7. HAhaha this is sooo true!!! I remember the first time I emailed a big blogger, I like revised my email 7 times to make sure I came off as non-creeper. And she was so sweet in her reply! Oh I just love the blogging world -and your blog is adorable. So glad to have found it

    pics-o-andrea

    ReplyDelete
  8. This post is as awesome as that gif. Truly.

    I'm glad I'm not the only one who refers to my online friends as just "my friend" in casual conversation... :)

    ReplyDelete
  9. well, well, well the good thing about all this is that we can be creepy together. Am I right? :D

    ReplyDelete