Apparently, blog etiquette says I should respond to comments so that my followers know I do read and appreciate your comments. I have difficulty with this part because a) I read the comments in my e-mail for the most part, not right on the blog b) when I go to respond to the comments, I forget what the first one was and what I wanted to say and c) I often find myself writing a response that could be a whole other post because I'm babbling and I feel compelled to expand on every thing so no one gets the wrong idea. (How does that song go "Oh Lord, please don't let me be misunderstood.")
Therefore, I would like to take this opportunity to say:
I do read, consider, think about, ponder on, etc. each and every comment. I find them to be thought provoking, educational, insightful and helpful.
I do not pose rhetorical questions. If I ask it, I am interested in what you think. Even if I don't come right out and ask it, if there is a question implied, I would love to hear your two cents. If I don't agree, I may or may not say so but I will not "go off" on you.
If I respond to your comment via a "respond" to e-mail and you don't want me cluttering up your in-box, please let me know.
If I don't respond at all to a compliment on any art work, it's because I'm embarrassed and have not yet learned to simply say "Thank you" without pointing out all the flaws I see in the work. Those comments are greatly appreciated though.
You can't possibly offend me. If I am offended by anything you say, I will as I always do, chalk it up to my sensitivity and look for what you are really saying. If I can't figure it out, I will ask.
I do not expect a personal response to each comment I make and so I will assume you don't either.
If there is anything you would like to say to me but not via a comment, please don't hesitate to e-mail me. (I don't have a cluttered in-box).
I do not feel judged by what you say because I feel that we (us mentally ill folk, I don't think I have many crafty/artists readers - although I wish I did) are all in similar situations and are offering the best advice, comments, observations each of us has. I see absolutely no judgement in offering suggestions on finding or trying new coping skills that have worked for you or someone you know.
Finally, I would like to say that posting to my blog and making and receiving comments has been far more helpful to me than I thought it would be. I hope you continue to participate with me and I hope to gain more followers because I just know there are a ton of people out there who have valuable information and advice to offer.
Thank you, thank you, thank you.
Therefore, I would like to take this opportunity to say:
I do read, consider, think about, ponder on, etc. each and every comment. I find them to be thought provoking, educational, insightful and helpful.
I do not pose rhetorical questions. If I ask it, I am interested in what you think. Even if I don't come right out and ask it, if there is a question implied, I would love to hear your two cents. If I don't agree, I may or may not say so but I will not "go off" on you.
If I respond to your comment via a "respond" to e-mail and you don't want me cluttering up your in-box, please let me know.
If I don't respond at all to a compliment on any art work, it's because I'm embarrassed and have not yet learned to simply say "Thank you" without pointing out all the flaws I see in the work. Those comments are greatly appreciated though.
You can't possibly offend me. If I am offended by anything you say, I will as I always do, chalk it up to my sensitivity and look for what you are really saying. If I can't figure it out, I will ask.
I do not expect a personal response to each comment I make and so I will assume you don't either.
If there is anything you would like to say to me but not via a comment, please don't hesitate to e-mail me. (I don't have a cluttered in-box).
I do not feel judged by what you say because I feel that we (us mentally ill folk, I don't think I have many crafty/artists readers - although I wish I did) are all in similar situations and are offering the best advice, comments, observations each of us has. I see absolutely no judgement in offering suggestions on finding or trying new coping skills that have worked for you or someone you know.
Finally, I would like to say that posting to my blog and making and receiving comments has been far more helpful to me than I thought it would be. I hope you continue to participate with me and I hope to gain more followers because I just know there are a ton of people out there who have valuable information and advice to offer.
Thank you, thank you, thank you.
I like that you said this just because I like knowing what people think about these kind of things. Oh well.
ReplyDeleteI used to never comment on the comments I receive and then the more I blogged the more I got comments I wanted to respond to and I like the kind of give and take that occasionally goes on. I think whichever is fine and don't really give a darn about what the etiquette is.
It is always nice to have comments and I think a lot of people don't respond. For me, it just depends.
I dont think I have proper etiquette online or off. I wouldnt mind having it though. I still enjoy seeing your crafty stuff so keep posting that too. I am doing a whole lot of nothing this week, some paper crafting. I still want to do some different stuff but cant seem to put down the paper crafts! Good and bad but keeps me entertained and alot more fun than housework. Hugs, Kim
ReplyDeleteIt's your blog and you can manage it as you see fit. Some of the places where I comment respond to each comment, or some do as I do.. address a group of comments at once, and some just don't reply at all. I don't take any of them personally.
ReplyDelete:o)
~shoes~
I struggle with that issue a bit myself. If the person signs in with an email address I usually try to respond to at least half their comments via email. If I get the 'no reply.blogger.com thing, I just sorta shrug, figuring they don't want to hear from me.
ReplyDeleteSo answer comments if you feel you should, don't answer them if you don't, and good grief, don't worry about it, we're all just people in cyberspace.
I tried a new craft today, btw, shall see if it works, I am flying by the seat of my extra large pants here.
I like you just the same whether you respond or not. I didn't know there was blog etiquette--probably a good thing in my case--who likes following rules?
ReplyDeleteWho among us has the energy to follow rules and etiquette? I do my best because I really do like the back and forth. The thing that I miss most about "face to face" friends is an occasional "real time" conversation. I haven't had much luck with chat rooms. This may sound paranoid, but I find them very cliquey so far and have had trouble getting involved in the conversation. Fortunately, as a depressed person, conversation is not necessarily high on my priority list, I just really like to hear what others ideas, opinions etc are. Maybe I should get one of me kids to teach me this whole IMing thing. OOps, I think I'm babbling on again.
ReplyDeleteLoving the babbling... keep it up please. Blog eti-w-hat? Glad I haven't come across that before... big side step around it! In posted recently about being a reformed approval junky - think you commented. Anyway, I mention it because back then I would have written something just like this I reckon. Second guessing what other people were thinking and responding was very important. Is that partly where your post stems from... or did someone say something unkind? Anyway, whatever the reason, don't be blown off course and keep blogging anyway you like. Med
ReplyDeleteLet me say upfront - no response required.
ReplyDeleteThis blog is beautiful. It's so real and honest.
If any of us help by reading and commenting, you should know that you help others by putting such honest feelings out there.
My hubby struggled with severe depression for 20 years. If only I had known what he was dealing with ...
As you know, the whole family suffers as well.
He's doing well now. Maybe I would have tuned in sooner had there been a blog like this back then.