Dirty Laundry or Highlight Reel?

I love a good mix of both! If you are down, write about real life and how you’re getting up…If you see or do something pretty, write about that. If real life is just feeling absolutely awesome, don’t feel bad about delighting in God’s goodness in that place.

I read blogs to learn about life in other places…So, that’s what I like to read. Whatever your life holds is what I come to read, anyway! 🙂

I think you consistently perform a beautiful balancing act, Anna, and I love it. I try to find a good mix of positive/beautiful and real life in my blogging too….but I tend to think that, like you, it’s usually better to uplift and find the good even in the hard things. So when I do write about something I’m struggling with, I try to frame it in terms of my faith, and His promises, and the fact that we don’t have to face the ugly side of life on our own. That way, I think (I hope!) I’m maintaining honesty without becoming negative or gloomy. Because chances are, someone else is feeling the same way and needs to hear that exact verse that is bringing me comfort, or needs that song or activity that is bringing me peace.

Also, I definitely don’t think you ever have to feel guilty for absolutely loving your life and proclaiming it from the rooftops! You are so blessed and you should be sharing your joy!

Hope this feedback helps 🙂

I think you have a good combo going. I like the happy photos, thoughts, etc., and have stopped reading blogs that are constantly depressing/whiny… but I do think it’s a good idea to remind us every once in awhile that you have off days/bad parenting moments (or whatever!) just like everyone else. I know this in my head, but it’s easy to forget this when you just see everyone’s pretty moments all the time, you know?

Hi Anna,

I like both! I think the way you do it is just right: 85% beautiful images that spark our imagination or inspire us, and then 15% (or less) of the not-so-perfect reality behind. I think it’s great to have a balance of both, because the bits of “reality” are like the grain of salt that make the rest of it somehow more real or accessible.

I also think most readers know that none of us lives in a perfect world and that we all struggle in different ways… so we already assume it’s not always perfect all the time. Um, I guess just speaking for myself… I have zero angst about not living up to the Pinterest-worthy lifestyle, and I find it hard to understand women who beat themselves up over that. As a reader, I love seeing the beautiful things bloggers can put together or create — it inspires me and honestly, it doesn’t make me feel any worse about myself. So I do appreciate the bits of “real talk” but I don’t feel like I *must see* that the blogger’s life isn’t perfect in order to feel better about my own imperfections. I just love to see talented people sharing their gift — it’s a joy to see it and it inspires me to try new things or develop a better appreciation for good taste.

A couple days ago I wrote up a post precisely about the issue of narcissism in blogging… and the nutshell is that I think style bloggers are basically sharing an aesthetic vision, which is an act of giving — and I’m grateful to them for it. When people have a talent, they should let it shine.

I love reading blogs as a reminder that we’re on this together. The good, bad, highs, lows and in between!

Anna,

Just thought I’d share with you a thought I mulled over the other day regarding your blog. Its so beautiful, and your outfits are so awesome, and such great fashion sense is not something that everyone has, so its probably easy to gaze at your artistic masterpieces with a bit of envy. But that’s not my point at all. My point is, I thought about your post baby pictures and your pregnancy photos. Even though you look totally awesome, amazing actually, you have the authenticity to actually show them, and its beautiful. I tend to hide in those many many pounds over my normal figure moment, and you bring authentic and modest beauty to it. Thank you, pretty girl! keep it up!!

Anna,

I continuously come back to your blog because it is the best mix of both. Though I have only gotten to know you through your blog, I have no doubt that if I met you in person, there wouldn’t be many surprises. You are authentic, and I like that you have your posts filled with polished, classy attire. I also like hearing your experience balancing a time for your faith, family, and business. Sorry I am not able to provide any better feedback than keep it up! 🙂

Great topic….and I think you need a little of both. I love reading blogs that inspire me. Pretty photos, fabulous ideas, uplifting stories all bring me to a better place in my day and make me want to live a life I am really in love with. But at the same time everyone knows life doesn’t always float along blissfully. There are bad hair days, sad days, grumpy days, tragic days and sometimes that’s the good stuff that helps you get out of you comfort zone and live a little differently.

I can understand how easy it is to compare ourselves to others and if people are just posting positive and happy stuff, then we think wow I wish I had her life. However, I am a positive and happy person, so that’s what I’m drawn to. Of course, if you are going through something I would love to support you, but for the most part I want to follow people who celebrate the positive and happy parts of life. 🙂

The blogs I most enjoy seem to be a mix of “real” life, fun topics and posts about relevant issues. For instance, one blogger I follow might write about life with kids one day where she talks about her difficulties, another day she might address and issue like co-sleeping vs. cry-it-out and another day talk about her tips for getting laundry and housework done or decorating a new bathroom, etc. I like a mix, because not every topic is relevant to every person. If I stumble on a blog that is recommended by someone and every time I click on it, I can’t relate to the post topic, I eventually just stop reading. My favorite posts (regardless of the topic) are ones where I can see myself relating to the writer – been there too, I’m there now, I’d love to be able to do that, etc. Things that apply to me in my own life.

I always visit your blog mainly because
1. your my sister
2. I like to get outfit ideas from you
3. I LOVE the photography and artistic/design aspects in your photos

SO BASICALLY don’t change anything 🙂

Anna, I know I’m echoing everyone else’s sentiment, but you really do strike the right balance here on IHOD and that’s what keeps all of us coming back! You’re one of my “happy places” to stop by on the internet, but I’ve come to really appreciate your One Truth and Real Chat posts as well. After reading a blog for a while, if I feel like I still don’t have an idea of who the blogger truly is – or what’s authentic or not – I sort of lose interest after a while. Top-level, all rosy posy stuff is definitely fun to look at, but I’ve started craving more substance from the blogs I regularly follow now 🙂 You really have done such a good job of opening up and creating a wonderful, genuine vibe here in this space. Keep it up, lady!

I would say that I definitely like both spectrums. There are certain blogs that I go to because the writing is beautiful and I want to hear about real life things, and others that I go to just to see pretty pictures! So I guess my favorite kind of blog is one that does a little bit of both!
Nicole
http://www.younglovestyle.blogspot.com

Goodness, I loved this post, and also reading all of the above comments. I would say I fall more into the category of enjoying reading a highlight reel, but also when people keep it real. So a highlight real? haha. Kidddding. 😉 I am turned off by incessant complaining, but at the same time I don’t want to see a fake persona or life plastered all over a blog. A healthy medium is great…which I think you’ve definitely achieved, which is why I love reading your blog (and you!).

Happy weekend, friend!
xo

I tend toward more uplifting blogs (like mychildiloveyou.com) because blogs are my escape/way to wind down at the end of the night. But I do love funny/honest blogs like camppatton and goodonegod — but both those girls are really good writers so they write about everyday stuff but in a way that helps me feel good about my life. With yours, I like the fashion posts -especially with affordable alternatives, and the guest recipes from your sister Maria. And I’d like to see more about what your day-to-day mothering is like. I still remember a story you wrote from a long time ago about how the kids tracked mud all over your white carpet going back and forth from the sink to outside, and you counted to ten first. I was super impressed because my first reaction would’ve been to freak out. So more stories like that (how you deal with the crazy stuff in life) would be cool.