This blog might be interesting to some of my friends. I’ll never know, though, because I can never share it on facebook (and I’m too embarrassed to outright email the address to them). Why can’t I share it? Because I made the mistake of adding my mother, aunts, uncles, cousins, and grandmother back before the full consequences of that terrible decision were known.
Since then, some if not all of them (except my grandmother) have found me on twitter, on pinterest, on instagram… every form of social media. The worst part is that at least on facebook, I can control how much they see. On the rest (especially pinterest), I’m powerless to block them.
I like my family a lot. But I don’t think they understand how significant social media is for people my age. If they did, they’d surely realise that they’re doing the equivalent of tagging along to the mall with my friends and I, saying they need something at Pillows and Crap, only to “run into us” in the food court and pull up a stool for the latest gossip.
Now, my mother used to actually do that, so maybe she does realise. But it’s frustrating. I think that to them, it’s hurtful – why would I want to share more with total strangers on the internet than with them? Well, for the same reason that you sometimes open up to complete strangers – on the bus, at a party – there’s no context for people, so it’s easier to get a sympathetic ear, some unbiased judgement, a laugh. When you talk about a rough break-up to a near-stranger, they don’t say, “well you didn’t exactly treat him well either!” And when you pin cute short-shorts or a sparkly ring, nobody comments that you never would have fit into those in high school and just what, exactly, does that ring mean, hmmmm?
And I’m too invested to create new accounts on everything (except Pinterest – maybe I should do it now, while it’s early!). But facebook? I have over 6 years of photos, funny wall posts, and an inbox full of people’s addresses and cell phone numbers (JUST KIDDING, HACKERS!) that I’d face losing. What a bummer that would be!
I’m actually worried that my blog shows up in google now (but too vain to take it out). Maybe I should change the name to something much more vague – Hepzibah’s Corner? It’s not that I have anything embarrassing on here (precisely because it’s google-able, and uses my name) but I just don’t like sharing every single detail of my life with my family – considering that I’m stuck with them forever, it’s too much like handing over ammunition (I feel like I’m making my family sound awful, and they’re not – I love them and they’re all very sweet – but underneath my very open and loud exterior I’m quite private and shy. Nobody ever believes me).
So, I guess I’ll keep at it, and maybe one day I’ll get up the nerve to say something tactful – I’m a diplomat in training, right? Terrifying.
How do you draw the line with family on social media? Are they blocked out? Or are you an open book?
