How much do you reveal?

Sometimes I struggle with this blog. With how much to reveal, how open to be, how much to write. I'm not alone. Friday I read a great post from fellow private person and blogger Tara Joyce. She writes:

"...it still seems odd to me that I share my most personal thoughts with world. See, I’ve always considered myself a private person, as I keep my feelings close to my chest, dealing them out only to those few, dear people closest to me. I’ve never really felt safe opening up to people, and I felt a sense of contentment with my story staying mine, alone." [snip] "I still struggle with this idea. Being open doesn’t come that naturally to me. In fact, when I first decided to write this blog, I thought I would write it under a pseudonym, like J.D. Salinger. I didn’t want you to know it was me. Then I came to understand that the web is a table for two, and that the connection I have with you is only made possible by sharing my Self and my story. Without it, I have no voice, and, duh, my voice is my greatest tool. Whether I like it or not, this blog is about me. And I need to get comfortable with that."

Read her full post on Brazen Careerist -->

I'm so glad she wrote this. It makes me feel less alone in the struggle.

Penelope Trunk also writes about this in her post "How to decide how much to reveal about yourself" where she discloses childhood sexual abuse, marital problems, money concerns and other taboos. She's open about these things because there is comfort in transparency.

Me, I feel comfortable with a sense of community. I don't know a single person who has not grappled with love, loss, pain, joy, confusion, and hope. Study after study shows that what brings a sense of fulfillment in life, what people on their deathbed value, are connections. I already understand this concept. It's in my bones.

And so I try to be real.

I understand there's a responsibility to be conscious of the identities we create online -- a blog being just one -- but don't want my "brand" to so heavily cloak my outward self that people can't see the real me inside. So while it's a struggle, it's one I'm happy to continue.

Is your blog private or public? How comfortable are you revealing your inner thoughts online?

Laptop cozy: keep your screen private! From Geekologie