starting fresh.

Here's the thing about blogging. Most of the time, it's awesome. I've been blogging in some form since college (and no, I won't share the link, because frankly, some of those posts are a little embarrassing and overdramatic...). Before that, I kept personal diaries, starting at the age of 8, along with shoeboxes full of memories like ticket stubs, cards, letters, dried flowers, etc (they take up the majority of our shelves in our closet). So I'm a big documenter with obvious hoarding tendencies. Always have been.

The blog world is awesome, because not only am I able to document, I can also connect with people that otherwise? I would've never "met". Real friendships are formed, and I find myself saying little prayers for these people when they're having a tough time (or just because). Blogging also keeps me in touch with friends that have moved away. I get to watch their kids grow up, even though I haven't actually hung out with them in years. So yeah, blogging is awesome in many ways.

However, it also can suck. A lot.

For the last several months, I've lightened up how much (and what) I post on my other blog. Certain family members (actually, it was really more of just one) were taking issue with what I blogged about, accusing me of jeopardizing my family's safety. Obviously, I don't really post any more than the next person. There are certain things I don't include in my posts... details of Brad's job, our financial situation, where we live, etc. Things that could actually affect our safety. Posting pictures of our beach trip? Yeah, that's not considered an issue for me. But apparently, it was for some. I knew I had silent readers... plenty of them. And usually, it didn't bother me much. However, every time I posted something this particular person didn't like, Brad and I would get phone calls, texts, etc. It happened again this week, and it's gotten to the point of borderline harassment. My integrity being questioned, false accusations, FB blocks (that I wasn't aware of)... basically, it has gotten way out of hand. And I'm so over it.

All I want to do is document the highlights of life with my little family. As for the safety issue, of course that's always on my mind when I post. I think it is for every mommy-blogger. However, Brad and I refuse to live in fear. I'm not a popular blogger, so that sort of helps. But again, walking through life as if somebody is always out to get you is no way to live. I tried to explain that, through my blog, I've been able to help others. And any blogger will tell you that that makes sharing the hard parts of life totally worth it.

Anyway. I'm tired of being uncomfortable... of being afraid of blogging. Feeling like I could no longer share simple life stuff, my own personal views, and have fun with linky parties? It sucked. It stopped being fun. Unfortunately, it's different if the trolling is from some anonymous commenter. While those still sting, I can just hit "delete" and be done with it. Not so with family.

I kept debating what to do... to ignore the feeling that I'm always being "watched" (and judged...) and keep blogging, to delete it altogether, or just start fresh.

Obviously, I chose the last option. I'm keeping it public, but I won't be linking this one to FB, my old blog, etc. If they find it, they find it. But unless someone is doing some serious cyber stalking, I don't think it'll be a problem.

So I'll be writing here from now on. It may be fun to start fresh anyway. ;)