(( sweater: Anthropologie / dress: UO / shoes: DIY ))
So this post has nothing to do with my outfit, and is pretty much just some rambling. Outfit wise, oh hai look at my cool sweater. Another one of those "I forgot I owned this" treasures. Score!
Anyway...if you are an avid fashion blog reader, you've no doubt been exposed to the "things I'm afraid to tell you" meme. The whole thing started off with
a post by Jess from the blog
Make Under My Life. Her post aired out some honestly scary things to admit (like having PCOS and possibly not being able to have children). Then the whole thing blew up on twitter and became a "movement" c/o
Creature Comforts Blog. While I think the original intention was sincere, the whole thing has morphed into something that really bugs me. In my opinion, it's become less about being honest and more about increasing blog traffic. I know that sounds horribly cruel of me, but I can't help it after seeing so many blogger say the same sorts of things; "I wear sweats sometimes," "I don't always feel pretty," "I compare myself to other blogs," "I can't cook," etc. I'm sorry, but there is no way you actually were afraid to tell anyone those things. How about "the pressures of fashion blogging have turned me into a compulsive shopper and now I have thousands of dollars in debt" - considering the consumerist-basis of fashion blogs this much be true for some people! That is real and scary. Or like what Keiko did talking about her
struggles with an eating disorder. Or Tania talking about
overcoming cancer. Those are tangible things. That took some cojones, and I honestly appreciated being able to understand their struggles.
But I don't think that's what "I'm afraid to tell you" is. I believe project is intended to strengthen the relationship with your readers by showing that you are a real person, not just a pretty girl in a c/o dress. And I applaud that intent. But then to say that the things that scare you are as frivolous as admitting you wear makeup to the gym? That's not intimacy.
What do you guys think of the whole "things I'm afraid to tell you" movement? Do you think it's refreshing, or eye roll-inducing?
And if you are wondering why I am not sharing the things I
really am afraid to tell you...well, I feel I am fairly open on my blog to start with. There are things I am afraid of putting on the internet, but they are deeply personal and I feel justified in keeping my secrets to the physical realm. Maybe one day, but not today. I will say one bad thing I have been afraid to admit...lately I've been spending way too much time (aka any amount) reading
GOMI (in fact, that's
where I first heard about this whole thing). When I originally found this blog/forum the mean-hearted snarkiness deeply upset me. How could people be so cruel? But now, while I'm still not a fan of the blog, I've come to appreciate the forums. Yes, there is a lot of ridiculously mean comments, but there is also a lot of justifiable criticism of blogs. It's kind of like a guide on how to blog without seeming like a self-centered asshole. Or maybe I'm just making excuses and I just like reading all the gossip/drama. It's like a gossip mag for the blogosphere. And who doesn't like some good ol' gossip, right??
