As you may or may not know, I am pleased and honored to be one of the blog mentors for a new, free online course led by Rebecca Hogue and dedicated to helping those interested in starting a cancer blog. My first assignment was to tackle the question, should you blog? In a word, my answer is yes! To read more than one word, click here. This week the topic is, where do you draw the line? – or in other words when cancer blogging, how much information is too much?
One of the most important considerations when you’re blogging about anything, but especially when you’re blogging about your cancer experience, is deciding how much information about yourself (and others) you want to (or should) share.
When you blog (or leave comments on blogs) about such personal matters as your health and your cancer, it can be more than a bit intimidating. You are showing some vulnerability which means there can be some risk involved. Sometimes I can’t believe what I have put out there on the internet content-wise. And as I’ve mentioned before, I consider myself to be an introvert. In the real world, I don’t share a lot about myself. Here, I’m pretty darn open. Do I hide behind a keyboard? Maybe. But for me, this works well and it just might for you too. While sharing your cancer truths “with the world” might make you (and others) squirm a bit now and then, it’s also remarkably healing, empowering and cathartic.
Determining your comfort zone is something only you can do.
One thing I always remind myself of when blogging (and when commenting) is that yes, I am throwing my words out into the world-wide web, but not that many people will actually find their way to my blog and/or my comments. Cancer blogs are a tiny niche in the blogosphere. When you think about it, unless you work in the healthcare field, would you have been interested in reading a cancer blog before your (or your loved one’s) diagnosis? Probably not.
Having said this, it’s still imperative to remember that what you share is available for one and all to see and read and once it’s out there, you can’t reel it back in, not completely anyway. And in this image driven world, photos and YouTube videos and such require the same kind of deliberate consideration.
So yes, think about what you want to share and what your family is comfortable with you sharing as well. Only you can determine what those boundaries should be for you.
Blogging is a balancing act of sorts.
You want to be candid and share from your heart. After all, you are likely sharing in the first place in order to help others on similar paths. You want to instigate honest and helpful discussions about issues and aspects of your cancer experience that you care about. You want to provide sound information.
But at the same time, you also have to think of yourself, your family and those boundaries.
So my best advice on this topic is before you push that publish button for the first time, in fact every time, think about your boundaries. Figure out your comfort zone and then go with it. Tell your story.
Because everyone’s story matters, including yours.
If you’re a cancer blogger (or one who leaves comments regularly), where do you draw the line?
If you’re thinking about starting a blog, what are you feeling most hesitant about?
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Beth L. Gainer
Saturday 21st of March 2015
Hi Nancy,
I'm playing catch-up, and I just had to read this post. It is excellent and insightful. Like you, I'm an introvert (believe it or not!). I, too, cannot believe what I've revealed into the public sphere. Yet, I find it so cathartic to express my opinions and to feel the community I'm a part of being such a great support.
Where to draw the line? It's difficult sometimes, but I try not to identify people. I also don't divulge everything; I think it's important to know one's audience and purpose. There has to be a purpose behind divulging information. And I agree that pictures and videos in this day and age can be dangerous.
Great post, Nancy!
Nancy
Sunday 22nd of March 2015
Beth, I read somewhere that many writers are introverts, so maybe it's not so surprising that we both think of ourselves as introverts. Sometimes it is hard to know where to draw that line. I usually go with my instincts or that gut feel. So far that's worked out pretty well for me. Thank you for reading and adding your thoughts.
Rethink Street
Tuesday 17th of March 2015
I once had a (different) blog that gained quite a lot of readers and comments and I was so excited that I ended up telling everyone I knew, including work colleagues. As a result I became so aware of who was reading it that I ended up feeling embarrassed and not wanting to write anything personal at all! And it all just fizzled out. Nowadays I am more careful with who I tell about my blog, but am quite happy for complete strangers to read it. And I think instinctively I know what I'm willing to share and what is best kept private.
Nancy
Tuesday 17th of March 2015
Rethink Street, I totally understand why you became uncomfortable regarding your other blog's readership. I don't actually share that I have a blog with that many people I come face-to-face with, unless it's when speaking to a support group member or some situation like that. Sometimes it is easier to share more personal things with complete strangers online. But actually many of these strangers eventually become anything but. Blogging is a balancing act for sure and each of us determines how much 'risk' we are willing to take. Thank you for sharing your thoughts here.
Lindsay
Monday 16th of March 2015
Good question for all bloggers to think about, not just those who write about cancer. Although, since I write about pets, I can't imagine how hard it must be to be writing about personal medical issues. I would have a much harder time with that, and I admire anyone who puts herself out there as much as you do.
And once something is "out there" online, it's never really "deleted" even if you "delete" it. That's the scary part.
Nancy
Tuesday 17th of March 2015
Lindsay, I agree it's important for every blogger to think about these things and determine her boundaries. And yes, delete doesn't necessarily mean delete what's something's out there. Thank you for chiming in on this.
Jan Hasak
Saturday 14th of March 2015
I didn't finish my post before hitting a wrong key. That happens because I have peripheral neuropathy from continuing maintenance chemo. I find typing a challenge, but one that gives interestingly unexpected results sometimes. That's the type of info I don't mind sharing and it adds a bit of humor.
Your post reminds me that I need to take a picture of my face mask from the brain radiation so people can see what kept my head so still as they targeted beams at me. I hope to hang it on the wall of my hobby/music room as a reminder of my ordeal, but tell everyone on the house tour that it is an African tribal mask that just happens to resemble my facial features. Thanks for the enlightening post. xxx
Nancy
Sunday 15th of March 2015
Jan, I'm sorry you have that neuropathy to contend with. I can see why typing is a challenge for you then. Let me know if and when you do take that picture of your face mask and hang it up. That will make for interesting conversations when visitors call! Thanks for reading and commenting. I appreciate the extra effort your typing them takes. xx
Jan Hasak
Saturday 14th of March 2015
This is a great topic and reminds me that