open line #3.

Shortly after I posted last week's open line, 

I got a sweet email from a reader posing this question to me: 

Question: Sometimes, I get nervous sharing things on my blog. I feel like more people would enjoy reading my posts if I was more carefree and wrote more openly. Do you have any advice for me?

Answer: When I began blogging about four months ago, I did it for me. I did it because I needed a creative outlet. I also did it without telling all my friends and family. After a few weeks, I started to share my blog with my closest friends. Many people in my life still don't know about it--

and that's ok in my book.

I think the reason I was able to be open and honest in my posts is because I wasn't initially worried about who was reading it...or how they would perceive what I wrote. As I share my blog with more people in my life, I do find myself spending more time on each post because I want to have proper grammar and {what I hope is} fabulous content.

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As an aside, I'm sure some of you are also wondering why I go by {av}. Plain and simple...Google. I'm certainly not trying to blog in secret. I just don't want any potential future employer {or even a high school frenemy} to find out my opinion of Talbots or how I dream about spending my Fridays--unless I voluntarily tell them. {This also is why I don't promote my blog via facebook--though I really do love how facebook makes the world a smaller place!} 

Going by {av} does, however, give me the ability to be honest and open about how I feel without worrying about the Google repercussions. I doubt it makes me feel more "carefree" about what I post, but it definitely helps me to maintain a sense of
control over the information I choose to share.

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My advice to her: 

• If you're having trouble opening up about something on your blog, start a post--and immediately click on "post options." Click on "post date and time" and schedule the post for some time or day in the future.
• Write the post! Open your heart. Be honest--and carefree! No one is seeing this when you first click the bright orange "publish post" button. {When you click it with a scheduled time, it simply goes to your page full of posts in blogger.}
• Let the post percolate a bit. Step away. Take a run. Do some homework. Only revisit it after a few hours of distraction from thinking about what you just wrote.
• Reread the post when you've been sufficiently distracted. Preview it. Do you feel comfortable reading it on your own blog? If you do, amend the scheduled time of the post and share it with the world. If you don't, take some more time {be it days, weeks, or months} until you do. No one will penalize you for that.

I think most people start blogging because they want to document their lives in some shape or fashion. Starting a blog takes guts. Sharing the blog takes guts. Commenting on other blogs takes guts. Each of these actions signals a person's willingness to put themselves out there. 

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Thankfully, I've found the blogosphere to be incredibly supportive and encouraging. {Kind of like those PRECIOUS kittens. uhoh, my inner cat lady is coming out.} When you have fun things to share, people pump you up with their comments. When people disagree with you, they generally keep their mouth shut. And if they don't respect your ability to express your opinion? 
I consider that to be just plain rude. 

All that being said, be kind to your fellow blogger. We're all here for a reason, whether we know it or not. Let's support one another genuinely and allow everyone to share what's on their hearts--

on their own time.

What other advice might you give this reader?

What helps you break through blogger block?

As always, my line is open 24/7. Please feel free to email me at longdistanceloving{at}gmail{dot}com with any questions--about life, blogging, relationships, 

or anything really. I'll help as best as I know how!

All of my love to the Friday's Fancies faithful--what lovely looks you created yesterday! I'm already looking forward to next week :) Have a fabulous Saturday, everyone! xoxo {av}