When Not To Post

[ysabetwordsmith]

e_cunningham has posted a useful list of times and topics not suitable for posting to LiveJournal. This applies mainly to professional blogs, rather than personal blogs, but in any case is a good prompt for starting discussions. I was amused to recall, for instance, that in my last poll three different people asked me for more personal posts.

Comments

[wyrmwwd.livejournal.com]

Interesting list, but I will probably ignore most of it. I have 2 professional blogs where I "work". I use LJ for emotional support. It is my virtual water-cooler, especially important, since I am surrounded by really religious Christians all day long.

When I am REALLY pissed off, or REALLY SERIOUSLY in a black, foul, mood, I shut up. However, when I am starting to pull out of it, I will be honest about it, because I think that it is important for people to see that other people have problems, and these are the ways that others cope with them. I have a number of people on my fList who are going through personal crises. By letting them see mine, it lets them know that they are not alone.

I also have a little icanhazcheezeburger club on my fList, it seems. Usually, I only post the ones that have religious content, but once in awhile (like today), I use them to tell a story. (sometimes I use them to send secret messages.... shhhh.... don't tell anyone!)

My goal, though, is, ultimately, to uplift and bring Light to the world. Mi Vida Loca is really the best tool that I have at my disposal to do that.

And I like hearing about other people's lives! I like hearing about yours! It's not all about work. It's about people making connections.

[ysabetwordsmith.livejournal.com]

Thanks for adding another metaphor to "when you are in your LJ, where are you?"

[wyrmwwd.livejournal.com]

LOL!!!

Yes, I am at a watercooler surrounded by alternative religious people in a building full of Christians.

I think that LJ is an important tool for many of us in dealing with our pain

[dakiwiboid.livejournal.com]

Certainly, we should all create filters so that we don't inflict our black moods on everyone on our friendslists, but when that pain needs to come out, it can really help to share it.

I, for one, don't have a close-knit local support system. When I was deeply depressed last year, living without a car of my own, feeling terribly isolated, and never receiving calls or emails from more than a few people, LJ was my lifeline.

Re: I think that LJ is an important tool for many of us in dealing with our pain

[anamacha.livejournal.com]

it is that way for lots of people without good face to face support systems. Even this isn't as good as FTF contact, but it sure beats the hell out of nothing.

Anyway, I rarely filter or cut things on my journal. I figure if there's something that someone doesn't want to read, then they can skip it. And for those that DO want to read, I dislike putting that extra level of indirection in there.

Re: I think that LJ is an important tool for many of us in dealing with our pain

[dianavilliers.livejournal.com]

but when that pain needs to come out, it can really help to share it.
Thus do we refute entropy?
I'm not much of a writer and I prefer to share things I find beautiful and/or amusing but I have been helped by people who have chosen to share their troubles. It helps me recognise that I'm not alone, even if I cannot find the words to express my pain or my empathy for their pain.

[alaneer.livejournal.com]

I seem to be adhering to this list, although sharing non-professional bits about one's life can be fun, and it seems to be the norm.

[christinathena.livejournal.com]

I get a 404 error on that.