Imperfecting Perfections

Gena over at Choosing Raw brought up an interesting topic today. Jenna from Eat Live Run has already hit on this issue before when answering to a comment on her blog.

Admit it. As bloggers, we strive show the best of ourselves on our blogs--our best creations, our best selves, our best writing.

Yes, there are times when we admit certain flaws about ourselves to our readers but those occasions are rare because c'mon, who wants to hear about someone's woes on a daily basis?

As Jenna had said in response to a comment, blogging has made her part of the media. Thinking of topics that would fuel her readership is difficult, especially if done on a daily basis.

However, we don't mind scratching our heads for ideas. Humans like attention. Our eyes immediately light up when someone finds interest in what we do, who we are, and to know that someone out there cares. Thus blogging is a satisfaction.

Just like food.

But enough about why we do what we do. Since Gena had the guts to reveal her imperfections, I'd like to hop on that train and reveal something me too.



I try too hard. My attempt to be the "perfect" being means I freak out when things don't go as planned. It goes like this:
1) I discover my error
2) Calm on the exterior, panicking on the interior
3) Mind wants to correct error immediately
4) Rash decisions cause more mistakes
5) I correct my error and finish my task
6) I find out there was actually an easier way to the complete task

I don't like looking at myself in the mirror. To me, this is a good thing because I am very critical of myself. The less I am able to examine my imperfections, the less I will worry about them. Moreover, I hate taking pictures or even showing people pictures of myself. Therefore, posting a picture of myself for the food blogging world to see is actually quite bold and new for me. Creating this blog was about self-improvement so I figured being proud enough to show the whole who I am means I'm one step closer to self-acceptance.



*Smiles*

Blah Blah Blog

I know, I know. I'm horrible. I say I'll come back later but then disappear for a month.

A mother never abandons her child so I shouldn't either.

I'm sorry.

After sneaking around the food blog community for a while, I've come to a conclusion: this bond we've (food fanatics) created is the next Twitter or Facebook.


Best of all, you won't need to report to your mom what you ate today.

"Dear Mom,

I've created a food blog! Please don't call me to ask me what I ate; just micromanage my food blog.

Love,

Your All-Grown Up Daughter"




Wait. This blog isn't a type of correspondence between you and your mom. It's correspondence with the world (if you don't set any restrictions).

Let's take this analysis a bit further.

Hi, I'm a reader.

I'm also human.

I like your daily Greek yogurt with muesli for breakfast, sandwich for lunch, and a huge plate of salad for dinner but I can almost predict your menu for the following day.

I'm a girl. I need JUICE.

Yup. That's right. Readers want to know about the person behind the daily blogging and photo shoots.

Bloggers don't seem to mind. This show-and-tell has become a blogger's outlet. Not only are we discussing food but also our daily lives and we want our readers to become immersed in our problems, fears, and dreams.

We've taken one step forward. Let's take one step back. Has it ever occurred to anyone that we don't know each other yet we talk everyday?

Like going on a blind date.

Yet, we put our faith in our readers. We inhale their suggestions, praises, and criticisms as if they have been our friends for years.

Without knowing, we've created a support system just like Caitlin's Operation Beautiful.


I'm ready to share my food. Are you?



*Smile*