Oh hi, didn’t see you there. Welcome back. I’m Paul, the blogger of this blog. However, I did not write the following post.
C’est vrai. This post was written by my friend, Neetu. She is not a blogger, so be nice. Or you can be mean. But if you mess with her, you mess with me. And we all know that I’m as menacing as a snowman, so you should probably behave yourselves.
I hope you enjoy this post as much I did when Neetu sent it to me. As always, feel free to leave your thoughts below. Enjoy.
So, I know Paul…not virtually, physically!
Once upon a time, I walked into work at camp and met this guy named Paul, and we instantly became friends. It was one of those effortless friendships. He cracked a joke, I laughed, the end!
When Paul told me of his blog, I’ll admit, I was shocked! Paul? With a blog? It made no sense to me!
But then I started reading his posts.
And then it made no sense to me that I would think it made no sense! Does that make sense?
He once told me that if I wanted, I could write a guest post, and of course I said yes!
I have been working on this guest blog post for a while now, constantly typing something, constantly deleting it.
You know, most non-bloggers don’t really understand how hard it is.
I would know…I am one.
We see it as though, here is a topic, and here is what was written. But it is so much more than that. So much more heart that goes into what is said and why that blogger chose to say it. So much courage that goes into exposing yourself and writing a piece that hits close to home, to being open, and honest, to millions of strangers out there.
So to all you bloggers out there, I salute you!
I have wondered what I wanted to write for so long, and I truly mean months and months! I wanted to write something from the heart, something unplanned, something that isn’t pushed and comes effortlessly, but it never came. And that’s when I knew that it had to be something spontaneous. Keep it unplanned and run with it.
So this is me, sprinting!
Being vulnerable has become a lost art. Being raw, and open and unapologetically yourself is something that is unfortunately so rare. (Of course, tell me if I am wrong).
But I just don’t see it anymore.
The idea of being someone whose opinions differ?
To be someone who isn’t afraid to have an outstanding viewpoint on a matter and to voice it?
To look different?
To feel different, but more importantly, be okay with it?
Why aren’t we more comfortable with that? Isn’t it a little messed up that THAT isn’t our normal?
I have seen so much bandwagon-ing, so much trending, so many looks copied lately! And not to say there is something wrong with it, hell, I am guilty of some of these things as well!
But why is this something that happens so much? Why do we swarm like a school of fish towards an idea that isn’t our own? Why is it so important to be a part of something that we see so many others be a part of? Why is it that our own ideas don’t make us feel as comfortable and complete as being a part of others do?
I am saying all this, but I know that I am guilty of it as well, and maybe that’s why I chose to post this. I have grown up being surrounded by so many beautiful people who love me so deeply! I truly am so blessed and thankful for it!
I really shouldn’t have that feeling where I feel like I am a little trapped. But it happens, to all of us, I know it! Despite coming from a place where I know I have a voice, there are times where I feel like I don’t!
There are times where I feel as though I will say or do things because I know it will make those I love happy, not realizing how much that takes away from my own happiness. Thoughts, Ideas, Opinions, are all subconsciously influenced BY MYSELF to make sure that they make those around me happy.
But why do we do that?
What is so frightening about being so authentically you?
I guess what I am trying to say is that since I have been attempting to write this post, so many thoughts have come into my mind.
“I want to be liked by the readers!”
“I am scared, what if someone thinks what I wrote is silly?”
“Does it sound like I am trying too hard?”
“Is what I am saying something everyone already knows and there isn’t a point in writing it?”
But that’s exactly the problem…Who cares, right? That is the point to being you, isn’t it? To not give a @$#* about putting something out there for others to see and read, and to give a lot of @$#* about putting something out there for you? Regardless of the response you get?
From my experience, everyone in this world will be loved and will be hated, for reasons we may or may not be able to explain. Everyone will experience that! I know I have! I know Paul has! (actually that may be a lie, everyone loves Paul -_-).
But the point is, that’s okay, right?
It is okay that my opinions differ from those I love. It is okay that I feel differently than everyone else. It is okay that I am not following this trend, or that look. It is okay that I am the oddball out! I want to start being a little more me and a little less you!
So to everyone out there…Be Kind, Be Brave, Be You!
Hi Neetu and hey Paul, thanks for letting a non/blogger loose on your blog! I loved what she had to say, in fact it really resonated with me today. Trying to fit in with the crowd can be tiring, far better to be ourself. Great thoughts Neetu, thanks for sharing with us.
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Thanks for commenting, Miriam, I’ll make sure she gets it!
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No probs! 🙂
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Hi Miriam! I’m really glad you enjoyed this post! It feels really great to know that even one person was able to resonate with what I had to say 🙂
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No worries Neetu. I did indeed resonate with your post and I bet I wasn’t the only one!
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Love this post!!!! Neetu- you’re my spirit animal-person. And you are a phenomenal writer and you need a blog! Asap! NO PRESSURE! I’m just saying! I really enjoyed this. And really? Does EVERYONE love Paul??!!!?
.………
You’re right.
They do.
Lol!
I feel like these are the virtues I TRY TOO HARD to live by everyday as well I mean my theme is like “give zero fox” and it’s a pretty tough code to set up against yourself sometimes because deep down we ALWAYS give a fox lol we just have to know when and where to give one. Ok now I have no idea what I’m talking about and it’s 6 am over here in Miami and it’s “cold” so for sure my brain cells are all out of wack. Anywho- KUDOS, a HIGH FIVE, a FIST BUMP, and a “SLAYYYYY GIRL SLAYYYY” to you, Neetu!!
And as for you Paul…. I have ONE thing to say:
HAPPY MONDAY FRIEND!!!!!!!!!!!
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I feel like you two would be good friends haha. And yes, everyone loves me for some reason. I’m working on it. Need more enemies, ya know? lolol
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😂🙄 adding to my list: “acquire enemies for Paul” lol
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Hey Ely! Thank you so much for the kind words! And cold in Miami or not, you’re brain cells are not out of wack and you are right about not giving a “fox” (very clever and cute btw) lol
Also, contemplating that blog attempt, been hearing it a lot ;P
Also Also….EVERYONE loves Paul! I think I’m going to take him out and teach him how to be disliked, just so he can see how the other half lives! ahah
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HA!!! “teach him how to be disliked” this is phenomenal! Can I come? Seriously, we can do some damage- poor Paul, lol! Stop contemplating and start blogging! Zero Pressure Applied. 😉 Nice meeting you!
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I feel like two worlds are colliding and teaming up on me. Thanks, friends…
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😂😂😂 anytime sir! We got your back! #spam
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Hi Neetu! (btw I love your name!)
Welcome to Paul’s blogging friends; I’m Squid! This post totally worked, sounded great, and didn’t have any typos! (that’s something I’m a stickler for, so kudos!) Usually I would be disappointed to not have Paul typing, but I was not in this case! You were a great guest post author and you have your first follower if you ever make your own blog! 🙂
Squid
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Thanks for being the welcoming committee!
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Hello Squid!
Thank you for the lovely comment! It would be wonderful to have you as my first follower if I do ever get the blog (which is now an idea i am contemplating) ahah
As for spelling and grammar, I was very careful when writing, but I cheated and made sure Paul checked for any mistakes I may have missed! ahah
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Hey, Neetu!!
Aww, you’re welcome! Yaaasss you should make a blogggg! Ooooh good idea! Paul the spellchecker! (new segment he should add? Hahaha)
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Spaulchecker*
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I’m severely disappointed that I cannot like comments more than once… *severely disappointed Victorian face*
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Paul: are you as menacing as Olaf the snowman or Marshmallow the snowman? There is a huge difference lol
Neetu: great post! You totally spoke to my blogging experience. It’s so intimidating to have other people read your words. You want to stay true to yourself, but also want to connect to others as well. What helps me is by staying semi-anonymous. I can write whatever I want without the fear of people really knowing who I am. Is that a cop-out? Probably. But it works for me and lets me be free with my words and emotions. I agree with Squid that if you ever start a blog, I’m there! ❤
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I had to look up the difference between Olaf and Marshmallow. I’m Olaf. Definitely. Thanks for your comment, I’ll make sure Neetu sees it!
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Lol well then as Olaf you are *sssoooooo* menacing hehe!
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Hello there! So glad this post connected with you! I like the idea of being semi-anonymous, you get a little bit of both worlds, definitely not a cop-out in my opinion!
As for Paul being menacing …. he wouldn’t even know where to begin! He is 1000% Olaf lol
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I’m glad you were able to write it! 😉
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AWE! I love this post! Tell you friend that she did amazing. It takes a lot of courage to put something out there for other’s to read – something I often forget when I’m writing myself. It’s funny that they mentioned writing being a personal thing; we’ve touched on that recently, in each of our blogs (I think, or I dreamt it). Anyway, it’s all accurate. It’s hard to be yourself, but it’s too freeing not to be. The right people will love you, and the wrong people – well, they’re irrelevant. I think that’s a quote form somewhere, but now it’s a quote from here – from me to you, Neetu.
.xo.
Ps. Will follow if Neetu gets a page! Loved this.
Pss. YES, everyone does love Paul. 🙂
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Figured you’d like this post! I’ve been trying to tell her to get a blog but she’s not listening to me. (I probably shouldn’t have said that out loud lol). But 4 of the 5 commenters on this post said they’d follow her, so we’ll see.
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It so heart warming to se all these wonderful comments, from all of you wonderful bloggers, towards someone who has never done this before. Feels great knowing I put something out there from the heart that was received so well! So thank you very much and I’m really happy you enjoyed reading this post as much as I enjoyed writing it! 🙂 🙂
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Hi Neetu, great post!! Seriously girl, you need your own blog!! Let me know when you get it together and I will follow you!!
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Thank You So Much!
Paul has mentioned it a few times now! lol Plus after reading all these comments, it may just become a reality! If that happens, I will let you know!
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Welcome, from one of Paul’s favorite readers 🙂 Your words really struck a chord with me, especially how I felt as a new blogger. My favorite ah-hah line “What is so frightening about being so authentically you?” In the beginning I wrote and deleted and rewrote and realized I ended up sounding like someone else trying to sound like me. It took a while, but I got the hang of it. You are also right and I think every blogger wants their work to be noticed and “liked” by other bloggers.
I enjoyed this post, and kudos to Paul for recognizing the merits of your ideas and writing!
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Hello! 🙂
It makes me happy knowing you enjoyed this post! I think that if i ever do get my own blog, it would take a few more attempts at writing various posts to really understand my style and to develop a rhythm that I am happy with. But I think if i keep writing what comes form the heart, that’ll make me happy!
Thank you for the kind words! 🙂
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Wonderful post! I hope Neetu starts her own blog, because I would love to follow it! (Thanks for sharing, Paul!)
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Thanks, Ann! I hope she does too!
By the way, I noticed the other day that WordPress put a quote from you on their Instagram page, from your featured post. Very cool!
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Thanks! I’m not on Instagram, so I didn’t see it until Barb showed me. She’s the best!
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