tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8464987304149443821.post534530803724370677..comments2023-07-05T11:18:53.489-04:00Comments on Imperfectly Painted: Talk it Out Tuesday: Blogging InsecuritiesStephanie Merlinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04600557762841800023noreply@blogger.comBlogger106125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8464987304149443821.post-15056898903658115262011-10-18T19:19:21.063-04:002011-10-18T19:19:21.063-04:00I know what you mean, I have no blogging friends a...I know what you mean, I have no blogging friends as of yet and it makes me feel a little lonely if I'm honest. I made my blog to share my passion but sometimes wonder why I bother. Sorry for the slight rant, but also, just to say I think you are awesome!! :-)Jennifer Edwardsnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8464987304149443821.post-54665942326943534502011-09-20T12:35:09.861-04:002011-09-20T12:35:09.861-04:00i have the same feeling with you. i cant minggel w...i have the same feeling with you. i cant minggel with other blogger. not in twitter or other social network. and i always think my blog so suck with the layout. also i know that i have a poor English and poor grammar. the only problem if i write in my own native language there's no people will read my blog. <br />also i know that i cant describe a nail polish color in the right way. some times i just want to quit and delete my blog. <br />i wish i can talk with other blogger in twitter or have a good relation with them..chellnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8464987304149443821.post-29722768305053907722011-09-19T17:57:32.863-04:002011-09-19T17:57:32.863-04:00I try to think that, but then I alienate myself mo...I try to think that, but then I alienate myself more. So I have decided that my blog is for sharing what I do, what I like and what I'm trying out, rather than to post the latest and the greatest swatches. So far it is working, I'm having fun... :DAnya_WackyLakinoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8464987304149443821.post-58724514918234801772011-09-18T17:43:32.039-04:002011-09-18T17:43:32.039-04:00I have ugly cuticles and my manicures suck more th...I have ugly cuticles and my manicures suck more than they look professional/perfect. I just hope my charm and wit make up for that. If it doesn't, please don't tell me. I sort of enjoy my delusion. ;)<br />I started blogging because I wanted to grow friendships. That, I have. My biggest insecurity is my age. I feel every blogger out there is young; just not me. I see age spots on my hands; I'm horrified. Where my skin used to be smooth and youthful, I see wrinkles like I'm wearing a glove a size too big. I see lines and age spots on my face. My eyelids are not smooth anymore. I worry I look like a 'soccer mom' and not this cool chick I used to be.<br />My hubs and I used to have a better standard of living when he was working. Now he's retired and I just hate it. It was unexpected too. So, I don't buy the best or even what I really want much of the time. If I get something new, you can pretty much guess that I took on extra work to get it. I don't mind working for it though. <br />The one thing that I'm becoming more secure about is the development of my blog. It is becoming more and more how I envisioned it. It is important, to me, that it reflect my personality. I do practically everything with my blog to share. Sharing is something I LOVE doing. I feel it's like 'show and tell' for women. :)<br />Maybe all the counseling I have done for people, for many years as a profession, has helped me see that almost everyone has insecurities. I have lots of them too. I also have felt safer, in the blogging community, to share my issues with my anxiety and panic disorder, my agoraphobia, chronic insomnia and depression. Boy, I'm a mess! LOL But it's not my fault and I have spent years to stop blaming myself. When others share they have some of these issues too, I don't feel alone like I have almost all my life. I have never shared this issues as easily and readily has I have with fellow bloggers. <br />You're right, Steph. This has been a very cathartic posting. I feel a lot of comrodiere here. Kimberly Purcellhttp://profiles.google.com/kimberlyrpurcellnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8464987304149443821.post-59571842343357297152011-09-18T17:41:50.046-04:002011-09-18T17:41:50.046-04:00Oh my gosh. I had to come along and reply to this,...Oh my gosh. I had to come along and reply to this, because whether you know it or not, you've helped me a lot too. So I thank you for that. Also, I had a feeling you would understand where I was coming from (although we talked about this on twitter just a little while ago), so I definitely felt comfortable telling you my own feelings on this. I seem to have a hard time finding folks offline who are like minded and would be friends, so I do spend time online hoping to cultivate friendships, but that can be hard too. <3 back to you, Stephanie.Nicolehttp://www.nightlynails.com/noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8464987304149443821.post-29154644036023231292011-09-18T15:43:40.228-04:002011-09-18T15:43:40.228-04:00Aw, thanks! Also, thanks for taking the time to r...Aw, thanks! Also, thanks for taking the time to reply to all these comments! As a reader, it makes me feel all appreciated and stuff :)Franceshttp://polkapolish.blogspot.com/noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8464987304149443821.post-6476928984215779942011-09-18T15:38:33.870-04:002011-09-18T15:38:33.870-04:00I always worry about being too wordy too. I've...I always worry about being too wordy too. I've had to edit myself a lot when blogging, but sometimes I can't help it. I like to talk a lot about things. I just started following your blog, and it looks great to me!imperfectpaintnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8464987304149443821.post-90806535356907366662011-09-18T15:32:27.920-04:002011-09-18T15:32:27.920-04:00You're welcome!You're welcome!imperfectpaintnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8464987304149443821.post-7295666348608520342011-09-18T15:32:20.690-04:002011-09-18T15:32:20.690-04:00Aww, thank you for your kind comments. This may so...Aww, thank you for your kind comments. This may sound crazy, but what helped me a lot in regards to my blog was to stop caring. I really had to let go of worrying about what my posts will be like and other things. I of course, care about my blog, but I'm not putting in that extra time worrying about what I think is right or isn't. You have to blog what you want, and because you love it.imperfectpaintnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8464987304149443821.post-77735356572951298662011-09-18T15:24:18.529-04:002011-09-18T15:24:18.529-04:00I totally understand, and relate about Twitter. I ...I totally understand, and relate about Twitter. I feel weird butting into conversations as well. I don't like imposing on others, but at the same time I don't want to feel left out :-/. I hate when bloggers get on their high horse and criticize other blogs. I have similar issues my pictures, my nails, and etc are not perfect. I work with what I got. Plus, like you, I don't have the money to purchase anything and everything. I think you have to be confident with what you have. Honestly, this may be mean, but I think there are enough blogs of PR releases and brand new collections. I like to see different posts with whatever colors, nail art, or other just random stuff. It's not all about the latest and greatest.imperfectpaintnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8464987304149443821.post-25091204465278333472011-09-18T15:10:43.803-04:002011-09-18T15:10:43.803-04:00First of all <3 to you. I think a lot of this i...First of all <3 to you. I think a lot of this is we are WAY too hard on ourselves. I've always found Twitter and other social networking difficult as a blogger. I'll sometimes say things and not get any responses. I'll then get paranoid and think everyone hates me and just doesn't have the heart to tell me. It's really crazy, but it's difficult sometimes when you see so many people being chatty, and you just feel like an outsider. I know the feeling, I've always felt like a misfit too. I think we're both all around great people and bloggers, and we need to let go off a lot of the crap we hold on too. I have a feeling a lot of our past plays a role in some of these insecurities. I wish I could practice what I preach, but sometimes it's hard. It is overwhelming espeically when there is blogger drama in the mix. I can't help but be brought down. I'm here for you though, and I'll always be your friend! I'm so glad we've gotten to know each other better, and any many ways I can thank you for saving my sanity. You really helped me some stuff when I felt SO alone, and wanted to throw in the towel. I appreciate it. <3imperfectpaintnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8464987304149443821.post-88881451688959471492011-09-18T15:05:15.520-04:002011-09-18T15:05:15.520-04:00You're welcome! I'm a bit behind though!You're welcome! I'm a bit behind though!imperfectpaintnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8464987304149443821.post-8049766610621640522011-09-18T15:04:54.110-04:002011-09-18T15:04:54.110-04:00You and I have identical blogging philosophies, an...You and I have identical blogging philosophies, and I totally respect that. I knew when I got into blogging I wanted to come from the viewpoint of the actual consumer. I do not get PR freebies. I do not have perfect nails, an expensive camera, or an unlimited income to buy polish. I use this to my advantage, and you should too. The name of your blog like mine says it all "Normal Girl Nails". You shouldn't view these things as insecurities, but as advantages. You're providing your reader with an comparable experience to their own. Even though I love to look at other blogs with stunning pictures, amazing nails, and all the polish in the world. that isn't my reality. I like to think my blog has some relatability that some others may not. You should take pride in that!<br /><br />About posts. I am also a lengthy writer. I've been told often I'm too verbose! I have had to learn to edit myself a lot in blogging. I can't speak for everyone, but I think a good balance of swatches and writing is ideal. I try to keep my paragraphs short. If I have a lot to say about something, I try to space it out appropriately, so it doesn't look like a lot. It's much easier to read a bunch fo 3-4 line paragraphs than it is to read 10-12 line ones. I'm not saying you should edit yourself, but this is just what I've found helpful to me. I like reading content as well as looking at swatches, but I follow 200+ blogs, and I don't always have the time to read a lot of material. <br /><br />I sometimes schedule posts in advance (like Niki said below), and sometimes I write them on the spot. It really depends on your writing style and what you like to include in your posts. I have a folder full of swatch pictures. I set aside an afternoon/evening every 2-3 weeks to swatch a bunch of colors for my blog. I then edit them and put them in a folder, and when I go to make a post I have a huge selection of nail polish swatches to choose from. This has been ideal for me because even if I get to lazy to swatch sometimes, I still have a folder full of material I can blog on.<br /><br />I don't tend to include a lot of details in my posts. I like to have a little intro to a nail polish color, picture, short description, followed by a short response. This usually doesn't take me long at all. There are posts I do have a lot to say about. I sometimes have a story to share or a detailed experience, and I will work on those in advance. My "Share With You Sunday" posts take me the longest to do because I'm having to go through hundreds of blogs to find links to share. This is just me though, and every one is different. <br /><br />When it comes to a FB page. I started a FB account just based on my blog. It has no personal information on it, and just has my blog information. I use this account to communicate with other bloggers, make my own FB page, and join FB groups. <br /><br />I don't want you to be sad about your insecurities. I think this has been such a positive post despite the topic. It is clear so many of us have similar areas of concern, and I'm glad this post has become a safe place to open up about it. An "Imperfectly Blogging" group sounds like a good idea I'll have to put some thought into that!imperfectpaintnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8464987304149443821.post-76417372408542120552011-09-18T14:40:22.113-04:002011-09-18T14:40:22.113-04:00I'm glad you're proud of your improvement ...I'm glad you're proud of your improvement with your blog. I'm glad you stay positive too. I stay positive for the most part, but I have some slip ups here and there. Keep up the great attitude!imperfectpaintnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8464987304149443821.post-66894194298600895112011-09-18T14:37:47.423-04:002011-09-18T14:37:47.423-04:00Thank you for your comments about my blog. I reall...Thank you for your comments about my blog. I really appreciate it! That's what I strive for is to have something a little different than what's out there.. <br /><br />I honestly think there is only a small number of bloggers who may actually be stand-offish and unapproachable. I do find that some bloggers who have close friendships with others I feel intimidated by. It's like I want to reach out, but I don't want to intrude. It's difficult, but I think sometimes we have to push ourselves outside our comfort zone to connect.imperfectpaintnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8464987304149443821.post-13374502375837527002011-09-18T12:26:52.654-04:002011-09-18T12:26:52.654-04:00Great post...
I have to say as a blogger my insecu...Great post...<br />I have to say as a blogger my insecurities are usually about the condition of my nails... since I usually forget to take pictures for a few days and have some tipwear. I'm reasonably confident with my photographs because photography is a big hobby of mine, so I know the pictures I take are decent. I do wish I could take macro pictures, though... I always feel like I can't give a good enough example of what things really look like. I've been fortunate enough not to read any blogs that I feel are complaining about other bloggers. That just seems nasty and unpleasant.<br />I also worry that I'm too wordy/come off as too stuck-up or technical. I know that people are reading my blog, but the regular lack of comments makes it hard to tell what my readers think!Franceshttp://polkapolish.blogspot.com/noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8464987304149443821.post-48276516797465559392011-09-16T02:14:47.545-04:002011-09-16T02:14:47.545-04:00Your Awesome Steph!!!!!!!!!!!! This is one of my ...Your Awesome Steph!!!!!!!!!!!! This is one of my favorite blogs to read. Your so cool and you even responded to my twitter questions. Huggs!!!! Steph_gemnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8464987304149443821.post-27800150532600611602011-09-15T22:59:40.932-04:002011-09-15T22:59:40.932-04:00#1 - I think your blog is amazing. I love your lay...#1 - I think your blog is amazing. I love your layout, your posts, your photos, etc. I honeslty think it's one of the best and I visit daily to check it out :)<br /><br />#2 -Thank you for doing this. I actually started reading the comments today at work and zoned out - I completely forgot I was even at work lol.<br />I feel like my blog will never be where I want it to be. I've been doing it for about 2 months now and while I can see a little bit of improvement it's no where close to where I would like. I'm insecure about my nubbins and my dry cuticles. I feel like a better camera and a light box would help but who wants to shell out a couple of hundred on a camera when there are so many other bills to be paid? And I'm always trying to figure out what will keep people coming back to read my posts.Haul Of Famenoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8464987304149443821.post-57074129862667266322011-09-15T22:32:34.170-04:002011-09-15T22:32:34.170-04:00#1: I also feel really awkward about trying to int...#1: I also feel really awkward about trying to interact with other bloggers! On Twitter, I always feel like I'm butting in. I have a lot of trouble with social situations/anxiety in my day-to-day life and that spills over into my online interactions with other bloggers. <br /><br />#2: I also am really insecure about my pictures. I can't afford to buy a nicer camera right now, and the one I have is 5 or 6 years old and it's not super great. It's often color-inaccurate or blurry.<br /><br />#3: I have crappy cuticles. I'm a custodian, so I work with my hands/chemicals all freakin' day and there's no way I'll ever have nice-looking fingers/soft hands. It's sort of a miracle that they don't look worse than they do! But whenever I see bloggers complaining about other bloggers with bad cuticles I sort of take it personally. (Even though my blog is tiny.)<br /><br />#4: I can't show new stuff very often because well, I am poor. I set aside a small amount of money to buy non-necessities with (basically, nail polish and beer, haha) so I can't keep up with all the new stuff. Nor do I want to, really, because it's my hard-earned money and I don't wanna buy stuff I don't love just because of the blog.Madelinehttp://grrrlgermsnoreturns.blogspot.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8464987304149443821.post-18313386936122485912011-09-15T17:33:11.655-04:002011-09-15T17:33:11.655-04:00I missed this yesterday, and I'm sorry I did, ...I missed this yesterday, and I'm sorry I did, because this is a hot-button topic for me. I've *always* felt insecure about blogging.<br />I dunno if you know this, but when I had MM my level of success was pretty low when you consider when I started. I felt it constantly - blogs that started six months to a year after me were having more "success" than I was, getting noticed by followers and companies alike. <br />I know my photos aren't the best, I know my cuticles can be messed up - I have an index finger cuticle that refuses to heal. It doesn't hurt, but it IS split and won't seem to mend. I know that my cleanup isn't perfect. I constantly judge myself and I always feel overwhelmed by needing to post/swatch.<br />Also, I reach out a lot and feel like I don't fit in. I know I'm older than a lot of people, I don't know if that's it. I have blogging friends, but the only one that I feel is truly a friend is Robyn. I've gotten to know you a bit better and I'm grateful for that, because I do feel we've got things in common.<br />I'm taking a twitter time out right now because I just feel like most of the time when I tweet, I'm talking to myself. When I try to talk to people I often get ignored, and it was just hurting my feelings, so I said you know, why subject yourself to this?<br />I don't have a lot of friends outside of blogging either. I feel like I've always been a misfit.<br />Anyway, don't mean to be whining but I can see that I'm not the only one who feels this way, the insecurity and the loneliness can be overwhelming, can't it? <br />I want to thank you Steph for always posting insightful things - and for caring enough to read over our comments and reply. <3Nicolehttp://www.nightlynails.com/noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8464987304149443821.post-54043407303762992042011-09-15T16:57:08.169-04:002011-09-15T16:57:08.169-04:00I'm not Steph, and I hope you don't mind m...I'm not Steph, and I hope you don't mind me replying, but I wanted to just say that I schedule my posts. If I didn't do that, they'd be horrifically sporadic. I'm not a well organized person at all, so scheduling posts allows me to wear and photograph when I feel like it and keeps me with posts daily. It's the only way I can keep things going. :) Again, hope you don't mind me replying (or you either Steph!!!)Nicolehttp://www.nightlynails.com/noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8464987304149443821.post-56206846825804880922011-09-15T15:43:41.488-04:002011-09-15T15:43:41.488-04:00OMG, Steph, this is what I call "hard at work...OMG, Steph, this is what I call "hard at work" :o) Thank you for replying every single post - it means a lot to me, to us :o)Pani Skeffingtonnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8464987304149443821.post-30121737785374534242011-09-15T15:23:12.386-04:002011-09-15T15:23:12.386-04:00Sometimes I feel insecure about my blog. I'm p...Sometimes I feel insecure about my blog. I'm pretty much just getting started and learning as I go along, but I'm proud of the improvement I've made since I first started. I look back at my earliest posts and cringe. Because of it, I now try to take extra care with cleaning up after polishing, removing the little bits of skin that sometimes hang around the cuticles, moisturizing my hands before taking pictures...unfortunately I rely on the sunlight for good pictures, so my pictures don't always come out as great as I would like them to. It's been a learning process, but I remain positive! Because at the end of the day, I'm blogging for the fun of doing it, and to share my hobby with other people who would care about it. It's not a job, and I don't think it should ever feel like one. I'm a naturally shy person, so I never really seek out friends: they just seem to find me. I figure if I make a few friends along the way, great. If I don't, it's ok because I wouldn't have been actively searching for any anyway.<br />Talk it out Tuesday was a great idea!Liz Gnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8464987304149443821.post-78863345902171759842011-09-15T13:51:42.308-04:002011-09-15T13:51:42.308-04:00One thing I've always liked about your blog is...One thing I've always liked about your blog is how different it is than other blogs. That's not a bad thing - it's very good. I find it a very fresh outtake on the world of nails. <br /><br />I definitely feel intimidated by all the 'big' blogs. It's really hard to connect with other bloggers too - I don't have time to constantly be on Twitter, either. And some things other bloggers due sometimes drive me crazy. Seems like many bloggers are extremely close, but its just hard to connect with people, or they just don't want to connect with you, and would rather be friends with other bloggers. I do think there is room for everyone - but not everyone is accepting, it seems. You definitely aren't alone in this!<br /><br />What keeps me going is that I blog for myself. It's something I genuinely enjoy doing - not because of drama, cliques or that stuff - I just love nail polish.<br /><br />xoxo <3Emilynoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8464987304149443821.post-79126353606980984262011-09-15T12:56:29.329-04:002011-09-15T12:56:29.329-04:00I know exactly how you feel. I would see snarky co...I know exactly how you feel. I would see snarky comments from a people too (of course they never named names) about how ugly someones nails are or whatever. I'd instantly think they were talking about me. It really put a damper on the blogging experience for me. I hope you don't over-scrutinize your posts too much. You don't need to! I'm glad this post took off so well, it's good to know we're not a lone in these thoughts!imperfectpaintnoreply@blogger.com