We think it’s where we’re safe, but the truth of the matter is that it’s our favorite hiding spot.
It’s where we retreat to when the going gets tough, where we fall back to when we feel most threatened.
I guess that what makes Michelle at Eating Journey’s “Exposed” series so incredibly remarkable to me: it asks folks not just to peek their heads out the door of their own personal hidey-holes, but to tear down the walls all around them.
A healthy percentage of weight-loss bloggers can’t (or won’t) show themselves on their sites. Some can’t even bring themselves to put their weight on their blog.
I wouldn’t show my ugly mug for the longest time, so I understand the pressure that keeps some wanting to stay completely anonymous.
But here’s what I’d say to you: come out and play.
Blur your face if you feel you must, but take that next step and put a picture on your struggle.
It’ll help readers more solidly connect to your story, add a whole new level of accountability and show yourself (and the world) that you have nothing to hide.
A year ago, Michelle bared herself in a most unique way and started a movement of fellow weight-loss warriors showing off their mistakes and their muscles, their scars and their successes.
If you haven’t yet, I encourage you to follow her lead.
x
Thanks Jack. Thank you for being part of it and the encouragement!
ReplyDeleteIt's definitely easier to hide behind our computer screens, but so liberating when we take a stand for our inner and outer beauty! I love the idea of "exposed" and hope many, many people will participate!
ReplyDeleteBut for the love of all that is holy please remember that sexting is not the way to distribute your post should you choose to expose.
ReplyDeleteI absolutely agree! When deciding what I wanted to do with my site, I thought about the blogs I enjoy and feel connected to and every one had pictures in them. I'm not always comfortable having my picture taken, but i think it's important for others to see who is writing these personal things.
ReplyDeleteWhat a neat idea. Never heard of this. Would be great to get involved.
ReplyDeleteI totally agree. We as readers and writers want to see REAL stories b/c we can relate.
ReplyDeleteI braved it earlier this year and posted pics of my horrible stomach. If I can help others then I'm better for it!
Cheers!
Love this!
ReplyDeleteI, for one, do not think your mug is ugly. But I notice you didn't include a photo of it in your anniversary post today . . .
ReplyDeletejust saying.
Great Post. I honestly believe that to make a lasting change you have to love yourself now and be willing to put yourself and your flaws out there for the exact reasons you've outlined above.
ReplyDeleteIt is a powerful experience to show your soft side... in pictures :)
ReplyDeleteI did exposed posts twice... once showing my arms and once my waist. You can post a part of you if you want, whatever you're comfortable with.
It is tough to show yourself to the world when you feel like hiding. I do post pictures in order to push myself out of the comfort zone. I'm not ready for an "Exposed" post yet, but I do find ways that I love my body daily. Thank you for asking us to come out from behind our masks...even though you're not out today, I've seen you quite a bit!
ReplyDeleteI exposed my bat wings. That's quite enough, thank you very much. :)
ReplyDeleteI have sort of the opposite problem. There are TONS of pics of me on my site (part of my attention whorishness!) But I will admit, that only the flattering ones go up. The ones where I have controlled the angles or set up the shot just so or everything that needs to be is covered. I've never bravely embraced all my flaws or shown a detailed shot of my "trouble spots". Something to think about.
ReplyDeleteI know that lots of women out thee struggle with putting our real selves in the blogosphere with our weight, our stretch marks, our faces and our feelings. But I still remember the day I popped my "How much I really weigh" cherry on the blog. I weighed 204 pounds, and was embarassed beyond belief. But I had to do something to get to 199. I was desperate. After that day, I encountered such freedom about my weight and the truth- I could never go back! Being vulnerable is scary- but soooooo worth it in the end!
ReplyDeleteThis is actually one instance where sexting is approved (hear that Brett Favre?). Sharing these posts via text message is definitely A OK!
ReplyDeleteI recently revamped my blog and added my monthly weigh-ins and posted pictures. Like Lucas I also had a twist, but my reason "not" to post was that I thought no one would want to follow me because I didn't look like I had alot to lose, although my goal is to lose at least 50#. If I hid my goal and didn't post pictures or routine weigh-ins and just wrote about my daily challenges and successes people would be more interested and I would get the support I needed. I finally came to the realization that most people accept you for what you are and if I only had a handful of people cheering me on that was okay. I gained my last 30 pounds by people telling me I didn't need to lose weight, I just needed to be a little more active. I'm tall and can carry my weight but it's still there and no one knows that better than me. Thanks for all you write or point out. It also helps reading blogs.
ReplyDelete~Sheilah
"Come out and play."
ReplyDeleteLURVVVVES it.
Have you exposed yet jack?
ReplyDeleteI love mishe and am forever happy for the steps shes allowed us to watch her take toward loving HERSELF as well.
ReplyDeleteshes such an amazing person and now she, too, sees that.
OMG, what is it with Blogs reaching out and speaking to me today?? I have got a before photo and an "after 40kg" photo that I took last weekend. I am in my bathers. I have been reluctant to post them and considering where to put them up. They are not the most flattering pictures.
ReplyDeleteBut I am going to be brave and put them on my blog.
http://www.thelonglonglongjourney.blogspot.com/
If I cop any crap over them, I'm going back to my comfort zone!! It's cosy in there. :-)
This is a great movement that Mishe has started, I guess I should get off my rump one of these days and join in the fun!
ReplyDelete