After nearly 3 months of blogging, I thought it was time to give a real ‘face’ to dialogueftdepths through the gravatar of bittersweet1976.
I thought about searching for stock photos of some pretty looking guys / gals and choosing one as our online identity. I even considered using a photo of my hand or back of my head. Then my 11 year old daughter sent me this drawing she did on computer.
I am so proud of this artistic creation, which was originally produced exactly as the half face that is depicted, with an amazing resemblance of my daughter and my wife – it was so perfect. My wife pointed out that using it creates a very slight risk of our daughter discovering our anonymous blog, but I think it’s worth the risk – what do you think?
This raises a common blogging dilemma. In some ways it would be easier to blog as my real self, being able to share more about my family and community, but then again, the ‘journalling’ experience would be dampened by a natural resistance to share deep, sensative thoughts and emotions with people in our everyday real life. This cathartic experience is a huge element of the benefits of blogging as therapy concept.
Based on this reasoning, unless there is an exceptional circumstance, I would think that new bloggers wanting the therapeutic benefits of more free emotional expression, start their blog with an anonymous identity. Removing anonymity can always be done in the future, but going from a true identity to anonymous, is obviously impossible without starting over.
NOTE: The bittersweet1976 username is now specific to Lee (wife) – From 1st January 2016, Hubby is using hubby1974, with sunset Gravatar, for his posts/comments. Sorry for any confusion.
Dialogue from the Depths 
Great Post
LikeLike
Thanks for popping by to read and commenting.
Your brief validation brightened my day.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Am delighted to be a small part of your joy. Wish you more brightness and happiness.
LikeLike
I think it is inevitable that bits and pieces of your life will reveal themselves here. Should your daughter find this blog, how would she react? Is she old enough to appreciate what you are trying to accomplish here? Do you ‘shield’ her from the depression or are you open?
LikeLiked by 1 person
Anonymity and pride indeed! Fantastic Gravatar!! Can you tell your daughter to make me a compass? 😉
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks Jess. My daughter would love to hear that, but I can’t tell her 😀
I think your compass gravatar is cool though!
LikeLiked by 1 person
I love the image, and I think it’s worth the risk! Man I wish I could draw that well when I was 11!!
LikeLiked by 2 people
Thanks so much for your feedback. My daughter is really passionate about drawing. She gets it from my wife’s creative genes. My mother-in-law was a professional artist. I will try share more of her works, when appropriate.
Cheers
LikeLiked by 1 person
Now I am jealous of an 11 year old’s painting, I need to hone my drawing skills again xD I am too always anxious about people finding my real identity :I
LikeLiked by 1 person
Hey Mon,
I appreciate you sharing your worries about your anonymity… I am wondering how common this is among bloggers? Also interesting to think about if there is something that can assist with those fears, to allow more people to experience the psychological benefits of blogging, without the fears.
Take care
LikeLiked by 1 person
Oh my, it is indeed VERY common. I know too many bloggers who are anonymous and wants to stay that way. A lot of them edit pictures of themselves, change names of people, takes good note of the places they share (because others might figure out their location) and etc. It would be great of there were a lot more privacy and security in the online world. Some don’t share for the fear of getting hacked and having their information shared. You truly aren’t alone.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I often wish I’d started anonymous because your right can’t go back. Love the picture
LikeLike
Pingback: The Blogger Recognition Award 2 | Dialogue from the Depths
Pingback: One Lovely Blog Award | Dialogue from the Depths