My blog is going through a change.
(No, not that change!)
I started this blog for fun. As the number of readers climbed, it made me a little nervous. I became much more cautious about privacy; I stopped posting friends’ photos and shared much less of my own personal life as well. But I’m afraid this might’ve made my blog rather boring. Recipes are fun and all, but everyone and her brother has recipes to share. I want to put the personality back in my blog.
Hence the change. Obviously, this doesn’t mean I’m going to start listing all my personal info in posts like a naive idiot. Hello blogworld, here is my credit card number. Here is my social security number. But you won’t use them, right, because I trust you.
There’s another reason I’ve shied away from getting too personal: I’m overly worried about hurting others. I know full well that a large number of people who read my blog are girls (and boys) recovering from eating disorders. So I worry, hating to think that they might find something in my posts upsetting. They struggle enough as it is; I would feel awful if one of my photos or posts added to their suffering. But the fact is that no matter how careful I am, someone is going to be offended/upset at something I write at some point. I can’t always worry about posting certain words or photos because it might upset someone. That’s not fair to anyone.
I am healthy. So why should I feel like I have to hide my body? Yes, I have a responsibility, since I’ve chosen to publish information publicly (as I wrote in my first Hello from CCK post). But you, as a reader, also have a responsibility to take good care of yourself. Only you know what type of blog content upsets you or isn’t healthy for you to read. If you don’t take good care of yourself, who will?
What does all this mean? It means, from now on, my blog is going to be less fluff and more real. The recipes will still be there, but I’m also going to share much more of my day-to-day real life.
“Being real” means showing not-so-perfect photos: I’m talking “no-make-up” pics, monochromatic meals, foods on mismatched plates, and sweaty post-run photos. It means allowing you to see the true me: I’m not perfect and do not have all the answers. If you’re thinking, “Ugh, Katie, I have enough real-life issues of my own. I don’t want to hear about yours. I’m only here for the recipes,” then please feel free to skip my posts on the days I write more personal posts. As I said above, I promise to still share many more recipes. But I’m also excited to share more than just recipes.
Great Post! I’m ready to read more. 🙂
Hi, It’s interesting, I’m resding this post and I see a girl filled with fear! Let it go Katie, think positive, see yourself with love! And your life and your blogs life will reflect that.
Katie, if you are healthy, then live it! Don’t hide, that’s what people who are sick do!
Shine your light girl. Be who you are and be okay with it.
It’s interesting that you’re posting this today, because yesterday I read your blog and was thinking, man this is becoming so repetitive! ..
I’m glad you’re starting to realize there’s no need to leave yourself (and by that I don’t mean just your pictures but your opinions, etc) out of your blog (that just makes it kind of… empty!). Otherwise, yes you may not “upset” anyone, but you’re also not interesting, cause… you’re not there!
I’m glad you’re going down the path of more personal posts 🙂 I can’t wait to hear more about you and your life in Texas!
I’m amped to read upcoming posts 🙂
Katie I am so excited for the changes coming to your blog. I can relate. I dont know if you have noticed but my first couple months of entries are literally food only. I have only recently began to divulge little bits of my life. I am still nervous. I mean, future employers, friends, and my family can easily see everything I write! I dont want to regret anything later. So I am still trying to figure this all out. And I have noticed that you keep your private life up in wraps, but I never thought that was a bad thing. I totally support your decision to share more! But I would still not say anything that would turn off an employer. But I doubt you would anyway 🙂
and btw, i also LOVE reading personal posts 🙂
just made fudge babies again and my flatmate nearly ate them all!!!!!!!!! she made sure i handed her the recipe straight away 😉
aww katie i know i have said before, but i adore you girl! you are a true blue kind of person 🙂 i am also guarded when it comes to a new environment of people, i’m working on it though! Just don’t ever change the person you are for anyone, your wonderful!
😀
I love the changes you want to make and support you 100%. This is YOUR blog. It should be a personal outlet & a place to share things. Some people go the “blog business” route but I know that’s never been your intention. So, do whatever you want with your posts and I’ll keep reading cuz I love ya 🙂
And never, ever feel hesitant to post a picture of yourself in fear of triggering someone with an ED. You should be *proud* of your body, how well you treat it, and all that it can do!
this is exciting! you are who you are, and you shouldn’t hide that. but you’re so considerate of other people, that is so encouraging and inspiring!
can’t wait for all of the changes. i love your blog and i’m sure the real-er version is going to be just as fabulous as the versions that have been before! 😀
Your blog is one of my favorite reads, your food is delicious and healthy and you are as cute and funny as can be without being pretentious or preachy. You make healthy yummy vegan food look like something regular old lazy absentminded me could do (a working mother who is also in college). So I look forward to your posts. And to add about being personal, I don’t ever wear makeup (unless it’s a special occasion where I will be photographed) and I pretty much live in sweats (except at work). I feel like hey, this is me, and not everyone is going to like me, but some people will and you can’t waste your time with those who don’t- life’s too short! So go you! 🙂
Goo Katie!
The topics you are planning sound really interesting, and I can’t wait to read them. Friends occasionally give me a hard time about trying to eat healthfully, and I can’t even imagine trying to eat vegan at parties where you have no clue what you’ll get.
I stopped reading a few blogs (even…gasp….the famous ones) because they lack personality. I would rather read a blog I don’t completely agree with but that is unique and interesting…then I get to learn about someone who rocks a very different lifestyle.
And honestly, you are one of the sweetest, most intelligent, most interesting people I “know” (because I suppose I don’t actually know you, even though I have read for a long time)…so I’d love to read more about your lifestyle. I won’t ask for your SSN, though.
Oh, one of my favorite things about your blog is your impeccable grammar 🙂 But I’d expect nothing less from a girl with perfect SAT scores.
I am really looking forward to getting a glimpse of the “real you” and not just this one facet. I was actually thinking today when your named popped on FB (to say hi!) that I think you seem like a really nice girl and I wonder what you’re other interests are and how you spend your time outside of the kitchen and on the computer.
Really really looking forward to it!
I think that showing your true self on a blog (or anywhere) in life is important. I try my best to be authentic with my thoughts and opinions and aim to not hurt others but provided constructive feedback when warranted.
I am extremely open about EVERYTHING! Sometimes I feel that I need a little more guarding of my feelings because, yes, it might make people uncomfortable. However, I think that if you really want your readers to connect, they will want to know you aren’t perfect, and that is OK! I blog everything from what I did that day, to what I ate, to how I am feeling. If I feel depressed, my blog should be the place I can go write about it. If that offends or upsets people, they really don’t have to read it, but I think that it usually makes people realize that they aren’t alone! Sometimes you feel sad or stressed or you need to eat ice cream 😉 It’s all gravy, baby!
Take the leap! I can guarantee we (the readers) won’t be disappointed 🙂
~Alyssa
I’m all ears (and eyes) to see what’s coming. You’re such a sweetheart indeed! (and you’ve always been it)
I usually tell only fragments from my life, I don’t like sharing too much of myself.
On the other side I love listening to interesting people (like you).
fudge babies have siblings, yay!
Looking forward to continuing to read! I’ll be interested to see what you have to say on the topic of meat eating boys 🙂 People look at me like I’m insane when they find out that I’m vegan but my boyfriend, who I live with, is not even close!
I for one can’t wait for the change! I love your blog as it is butthiz will make it even more fun to read! I especially can’t wait to read the posts you mentioned above! =D
Good for you, Katie! I am excited to see the changes…as I feel you have so much to GIVE that is totally over and beyond recipes. As I have been posting about for quite some time. I really dont read “food blogs” for the food. I read them b/c i develop a connection w/ the person and that’s what keeps me going back. Can’t wait to see what you’re gonna share!