Okay, so I usually stay pretty non-controversial on ye old blog. But there’s something that’s been bugging me. Maybe it bugs you, too.
It’s when an anonymous commenter comes to NewlyWoodwards and tells me what I “should” do.
If it was only once or twice, I’d ignore it. (And have.) But, now it’s happening on a more regular basis and I feel the need to address it. (Although I have waffled about whether it’s even worth posting. Because my favorite blog soundboard – my awesome coworker – warned me that this could just show that it bugs me and add fuel to the fire.)
But here’s the bottom line…
Our blog is just that – our blog. It takes a lot of time and effort, but I enjoy the process. And I love having our lives documented, because I often forget what I ate for lunch yesterday. (Or today for that matter.)
And our house – it’s our house. This isn’t HGTV, folks. And it’s not a page out of a Pottery Barn catalog. And our design aesthetic (is cheap and comfortable considered a design aesthetic?) doesn’t necessarily connect with the definition of what “should” be done, according to whoever makes these all-important decisions. (Nake Berkus? Is it you?)
And I really love our house(s). I love the details. The imperfections. The reminders that what we are looking at is what we did ourselves, with our own hands. (Okay – mostly Ryan’s hands.)
I love our pieces of furniture – especially those with history and those that were given to us by family. That dining table? I grew up eating at that table. And that hutch? Lived in our dining room since I was a kid, holding my parents’ monogrammed wedding china. The schoolhouse bench in our bedroom? Ryan’s grandfather got that from his schoolhouse and refinished it. And our new (to-us) living room set? I’ve long admired it at my in-laws home, two of the most generous people I know.
So, while I really want to shrug off comments that simply differ from my style, sometimes it bugs me a little. And sometimes, it’s bothers me a lot. Because honestly? No one should tell anyone what they “should” do with their own homes. Including me.
(Unless I ask. Then, I’ve opened myself up to your judgement and scorn.)
So here’s the bottom line – I’ve begun to delete some comments, when I find the person to be just plain rude. Others I leave up – to be “fair and balanced” and to remind myself to attempt to be a kinder person myself. To attempt to supportive and helpful in a respectful way. Because that is how I see blogging – as a way to document your own life, connect with new friends and support others.
What’s the point of being rude or negative? I mean, don’t we all get enough of that in real life?
And if a person tells me what I “should” do in the future – when I haven’t asked – here’s what I really “should” do:
- Pour myself a big glass of wine.
- Recline on my comfortable sofa.
- Gaze around my house.
- And smile, because it totally rocks.