Moving Past a Blog Attack
On Thursday, as part of the SITS/ProBlogger Challenge, I vowed to be less reserved, let more of my personality out on my blog and to share more than just information. I
By ToastyKen
also vowed to spend less time worrying what other people thought of me and my posts and more time just being myself.
Clearly someone was listening and wanted to make sure I was challenged in that because on Sunday I came across a lengthy blog post bashing me, my blog, my diet choices and my parenting skills. I’m not going to lie to you – it sucked and I let it ruin my day. But in the long run I think I’ve learned from it. I know I’m not the first blogger to receive hateful comments and I won’t be the last.
I’m grateful for the support of my family and friends in real life and online and the opportunity to learn the following.
- Haters don’t define me. When you put yourself out there the response will not always be positive. It’s ok if everyone doesn’t like me. They are entitled to their opinion. But that doesn’t mean there is anything wrong with me or my choices for my family.
- Judgments are fueled by ignorance and insecurity and we all have them. I may not judge people publicly, but I’m guilty of judging people privately and that’s not any better. Judgment is just my way of making me feel better about something. It’s not healthy and it’s not the person I want to be. Although I judged the author of the post, I chose not to respond. It might make me feel better in the moment, but in the long run it wouldn’t be good for me or her.
- Criticism isn’t always bad. It can be presented in a negative way, but I can choose to make it constructive. This experience gave me the opportunity to reflect on the truth. Although I experienced self-doubt, my friends rallied around me and spoke truth about who they know me to be and the intentions of my heart. I feel more confident in myself and my choices and I even walked away with a few ideas to make my blog more relevant and relatable.
Here are a few other posts on responding to a blog attack that might be helpful.
Tim Ferris: 7 Great Principals for Dealing with Haters
SITS BlogFrog Discussion started by Woven by Words
How to Handle the Haters by Daniel Roach
ProBlogger: What to do When Your Blog is Attacked
Have you been publicly criticized? How did you handle it?
These are great links! Thanks for sharing! Visiting from SITS & #31DBBB!
Jamee´s last blog ..Monday Medical News – The Truth about Lyme Disease
Jamee – Thanks for stopping by. I enjoyed your article on Lyme Disease. I really had no idea how serious it could be. Very informative!
I never really go the need to hate on people. I mean, there are some cases where there so much willful misinformation being presented or whatever (have you seen MckMama without pity? Holy crap!) but the random “you suck!!”. Don’t get it. Sorry you had to grow a thicker skin!
Thanks so much for stopping by my blog. Loving the new people I’m meeting through SITS and 31DBBB
Jamie – I feel the same way. I don’t really understand it. Sure there are things I don’t like or disagree with on occasion, but I just don’t read them. Thanks for stopping by. It has been a lot of fun getting to know so many new people through SITS nd 31DBBB. My reader is becoming overloaded!
I haven’t been hated on yet, but I’m sure it’s not too far away. Thanks for the tips and the links. I know I’ve read the at Problogger, but I don’t think I’ve read the rest.
Shawna R. B. Atteberry´s last blog ..Freedom for Christian Woman Coalition Demands an Apology
Thanks Shawna. Hopefully you won’t need the links in the future
That sucks to have found that blog post, but you are handling it well. And really, at least it means you are being heard
Good point, Amy! Thanks for helping me find the good within the bad
Very Graceful as always.
P.S.- I can only find good things about you and your blog online!Can’t believe someone has that much time to be that critical in writing!
Thanks Julie! Funny thing – it’s turning out to be a positive experience overall. I’ve always been a little self-conscious in my writing and one negative post turned into lots of supportive comments.
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I can’t believe that someone would actually write a whole ‘hater’ post. I’m glad you didn’t let it get to you. I’m surprised since from what I have read, you are nothing but positive. No griping, bashing or pontificating. Well, chin up and keep being you.
Thanks, Enya. I loved your post on bee balms. Nice knowledge to have on hand since I’m kinda phobic when it comes to bees. At least now I know how to treat a sting.
I so know the feeling! I have never had an entire blog post bash me, that I know of anyway. But the tiniest little, negative comments totally deflates me. But I agree, not everyone is going to like you and that is ok!