Life of a Closet Blogger

In my previous post, I mentioned I was living three lives. My life in the flesh is always wanting to be someone I am not. My life on Facebook is the superficial me where I only post the photos that make me look 20 lbs less that what I am and where my children always look happy. Facebook life is witty and superficial for me. And then, there is this life, my blogging life.

I am new to blogging and find it useful. I am able to be my true self, writing provocatively from the depths of my struggles and curiosity. However, I note that even on my own blog I don't let the boundaries rest too much. I don't use the actual names of people or places in a weak attempt to "protect the innocent." Also, I don't tell my friends and family about the blog. And, if I realize that a friend might be internet savvy and perhaps may have been able to find out about my blog, I become very red in the face.

Therefore, I am not really being true to myself. This is just the rambling of a closet blogger. And lately, I am not sure I even know who I am anymore. Here is a list of what I have discovered about myself when meeting a person for the first time... I am a blogger, mom, SAHM, retired business owner, on sabbatical from corporate burn out, designer, marketer, advertiser, writer, shopper, Christian, leader, reader, new tennis player, wife, sister, jogger, know-it-all, city girl, in mid-life, in my late 30s, artist, philanthropist, volunteer, party planner, virtual travel agent, entrepreneur, visionary, - or an All-American Wannabe? (not in order of accuracy!)

It Ain't Easy Being Me

Today, as I spring clean in the month of August, I realize that I am living a triple life. One in the flesh. One in Facebook. And, one here on my blog.

My life in the flesh is constantly trying to contain my true self. I try to not be too competitive. I try not be too loud or too fancy. I always feel fat and not sexy. I want my kids and I to match the pictures in the magazines. I make my decisions, life impacting decisions based on what others will think. I think that is the real reason I lived in Chicago in fact. I thought how cool it would be if I moved there. Then, once I was there, I picked a home based on what my address would look like on a Christmas card list. If I were to be completely honest with you, I even believe that integrity means looking nice. I had a personal coach last year and we were supposed to spend one week defining what integrity meant to me and a plan on how to get that. It took me six months because I would try to tell myself that integrity was about being virtuous, pure and honest. It was about being a good mom and wife. That is what I wanted it to be and how I thought it was supposed to be. But, when I dove deeper into my value system, I realized that integrity to me at the time meant what I looked like. Did I look poised, self controlled, wrinkle-free and together? I realize this is shallow. I am working on changing my value system, but for now, I have to make sure that I have a nice wardrobe or else I don't feel very good about myself.

Then, there is the life I lead on Facebook. In this life, I feel pretty good about myself because Facebook is a perfect spot to be witty and have fun. This fits me to a tee! But, I also have realized that making witty and friendly comments and status updates isn't the true me. And, the Facebook life doesn't satisfy me enough. It is just as shallow as some of the long lost friends I have found again through Facebook. I guess it is OK to have a light and lively outlet, but my Facebook life certainly represents the old me.

Then, there is my blogging life. This is where I let it all hang out. I tell it just as it is. No sugar coating. Sometimes I wonder if I am too dark and dismal, or too into myself here on Crazy Jugs. Then again, it is who I am. I wish it wasn't so Debby Downer-ish. I wish I were cooler. But maybe just being myself is good enough... My therapist would be proud.