Are We As Blogger's Oversharing Online?

Becoming a blogger four and half years ago, I had learnt very quickly that becoming a blogger meant that I had to be quite open about my life online. I wasn't forced to, but being a blogger meant I would need to open up about things eg my life and my thoughts and feelings on different topics. 

Are We As Blogger's Oversharing Online?


Oversharing is part of the blogging package. Sharing your life story online is the most entertaining kind of content to publish on your blog. It draws people in, cause let's face it, we have an intrigue with others and are generally just nosey (I mean that in the nicest way possible). There's a kind of morbid interest in knowing what is going on behind closed doors. If Sandra down the road is having an affair with the local butcher, you'd want to know all the in's and out's of it (not literally, but you know) like when did it start? Who made the first move? Etc. We're all naturally curious cats, that's the way of it. Maybe that's why TV shows like Big Brother and Love Island have been and were massive successes. 


Thinking back to oversharing, is there a pressure to share so much online to keep audiences and readers coming back to your blog/social media platforms for more? Are we prepared to potentially go that extra mile to keep our readers happy and feed them with juicy information?

Are We As Blogger's Oversharing Online?


Many blogger's will share only what they want to share, which is something we should be respectful of. If that blogger doesn't want to share something personal about themselves online, don't pressure them to share their deepest secrets, that's just disrespectful and it is a form of bullying in a way. 


Some things in life i.e. relationships, friendships, personal problems sometimes need to be kept private. Some things should be kept behind closed doors.


You can think about this topic of oversharing in two ways, you could either be somebody who likes to share a lot about their life online or you could be somebody who likes to keep their life private and only share the things that people share already. 

Are We As Blogger's Oversharing Online?


One topic that I share online which brought on a deep discussion with my Mam was talking about our mental health online. We had differing opinions on the subject as I am somebody who is all for sharing about their mental health status online. I want to be able to inspire people to speak up and be more open to the people around them. My Mam thinks people should keep it private. I reminded her that it the person's choice of whether they want to share or not. A stigma should never be attached to speaking about mental health, it's a topic that should be discussed in society, online or not. 


From my personal perspective, I like to share my life online. I have never felt intimidated to because of my online presence, but I enjoy people getting to know my life, my likes and dislikes and what occurs in my general day to day life. I get a buzz out of sharing things like what I'm currently doing, moaning about having to dry my hair after washing it, showing my concoction of medications I take and stating a random thought that I've thought of when doing the hoovering.

Are We As Blogger's Oversharing Online?


Yet, there's been a time of where I've experienced oversharing online. I remember a couple of years back, I shared an incredibly personal post online. A post I thought would be ok to share at the time, but looking back a couple of months later after I published it, I deleted it. I started to regret being so incredibly open and sharing some very personal feelings and maybe it was something I should have kept in my mind and not broadcast it on my small corner of the Internet. I did learn a lesson from that experience, now I have one rule when it comes to what I should share online - and it's a method you can try too.


Would you be able to tell a stranger in the street about it? If you can't - don't tweet or post about it.


One simple rule which has worked wonders for me these last couple of years. I'd definitely try it when there's a post or tweet you're not certain about sharing online.


In a way, sharing online is a way to draw readers in, but I think it's nice to kind of keep some memories or thoughts to yourself. Having that little happy memory or thought could be a little secret to yourself. Something only YOU know. It's kind of nice to keep some things a mystery. It makes the moment or memory feel richer, in a way. 

Are We As Blogger's Oversharing Online?

To sum up, have we shared too much online in the past? Most probably. But you learn your lesson and you know your limit is as to what you would like to post online and what you would like to keep to yourself. All I'll say is that you should only share what you feel comfortable with. Never share anything that you are not comfortable with, it's not worth it, especially if you don't want a barrage of people asking you probing questions. 

What are your thoughts of oversharing online? Let me know!


64 comments
  1. Really interesting. I think it is so important to have the freedom to express your emotions and opinions, however that does open you up to abuse, and that is not acceptable. I think you're right in that we should keep our personal lives private and only share what we would be happy to in a real social situation.
    Great post!

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    1. Absolutely Zac, it's important to express your emotions and feelings and to have the freedom of doing that, but it is wrong when people do get abused for it!

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  2. Great post love! I think for the most part, I'm an open book so whatever people ask me online and I share is the same thing in person. I guess I'd say in person I tend to overshare details more Lol I agree with you though you shouldnt share something if you wouldnt tell a stranger outside! xx

    Lynn | https://www.lynnmumbingmejia.com

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    1. Like you, I'm an open book mostly but I do like to keep things away from social media! Yeah I think that rule always works well for me and it's something that some people should practice if they're unsure of whether to share something online or not! xx

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  3. I loved reading this post, I am sharing it with my sisters. It's quite a fine line we are crossing as bloggers, and while I want to share some stuff, I am pretty content with keeping most hidden, for me to share with very few people instead. We have overshared previously, and probably will again - so maybe we need to start asking ourselves about the stranger outside a bit more! Yet, I wouldn't do it any other way, especially right now when all people are craving for is normality. Thank you again for sharing this xx

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    1. Thank you Simona!
      It is a fine line that we cross as bloggers sometimes and it's important to be aware of what we class as oversharing.
      I think we're all definitely craving some normality right now! xx

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    2. Brilliant post; you definitely shared a lot of food for thought. I feel as bloggers it's so easy to get lost in sharing personal details of your life (esp. as a lifestyle blogger) without realising that people in real life like friends, family and future employers could be reading what you're publishing so I love your idea of thinking about telling a stranger about something before posting it. I've been blogging since I was 16 so I can relate to you re: deleting a post months after publishing it; I've definitely gone back and done the same with some of my earlier posts, haha!

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    3. I agree Rebekah, it's very easy to get lost in the whole sharing personal details, especially for lifestyle blogger's. I think following that stranger method has definitely helped me in knowing what to share or not to share online!

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  4. Love this! I think because I grew up on twitter I've grown so accustomed to oversharing online! But I think it's so important to definitely keep some aspects of your life private and be careful what we share because I know that's definitely something I'm guilty of!

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    1. I grew up with Twitter and Facebook Alice and it did feel obligatory to overshare online so I've kind of gotten used to doing that!

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  5. This was a very interesting post! I think that oversharing can have a different feeling for everyone and as a person you have to set your own boundaries on what to share or now. SOme people don't mind it, some do, so it's great that we respect everyone's decision. Thank you for sharing x

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    1. Thank you Cristana!
      Oversharing is so different for everyone and everyone will have their limits as to what they choose to share online! x

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  6. This is such a thought provoking post, thank you! It's hard to know where to draw the line, I appreciate when other people are open about their mental health struggles but I find it too hard to speak about my own online, I only recently told my best friend's how much I've struggled over the last year and now they know it's a huge weight off my shoulders! Milli X - http://millidavison.co.uk/

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    1. It's totally up to you whether you speak about your mental health online or not, don't ever feel pressured to! But it does sound like a huge relief has been lifted off your shoulders when you told your friends about it! x

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  7. This is a really thought provoking post! I agree with you about not sharing things online you wouldn’t share with a stranger in the street. Thanks for sharing!

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    1. I'm glad you could relate to this post!

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  8. Such an interesting point! I often mention my mental health struggles online, as I would want them to potentially be a help for someone! What I do keep private, is my relationship and how it is! I like that not every single part of my life is online!

    Katie | katieemmabeauty.com

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    1. That's the same reason why I talk about my mental health online, I want to potentially help someone!
      Yeah I like to now show every aspect of my life online, everything doesn't need to be online! x

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  9. This is such an interesting post. I've found that on Instagram/Snapchat in the past, I have definitely been an oversharer. However, now I'm more mature and I think that I can recognise what I should and shouldn't post online. I like to be quite open, seeing as I am a mental health blogger but there is definitely a line. I've told bits and pieces - partly because I don't think it's necessarily helpful for others to know my full mental health story and I want to help others. But if I'm going through a particulary low period, I like to mention it. Not as a sob story but to be real. Love this post, it's really got me thinking x

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    1. I think as we mature, we definitely do become more aware of what we feel is best to share online and what is best to keep away from social media.
      It's important to keep it real on Instagram, like you, when I share things about my mental health online, I'm not sharing it because it's a sob story, but I like to show that I am human and I experience emotions behind the screen! x

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  10. Great post, and I totally agree with you regarding the mental health side of things. I think if people are comfortable sharing then it does wonders in lessening the stigma. It's important to know your own boundaries when it comes to stuff like this. I have no issues talking about the details of an internal ultrasound, I'm pretty open about myself. But I never really share anything about friends and family and that aspect of my private life X

    Sophie
    www.glowsteady.co.uk

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    1. It's important for us to lessen the stigma attached to mental health, we want people to speak more about it (comfortably of course).
      I agree Sophie, it's important to know what your boundaries are in terms of what you share online! x

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  11. I used to overshare a lot under the guise of anonymity but since then have learnt to be more private and just talk about hobbies. Posts about my personal life do get more views and I felt a pressure to feed the nosyness in people but I'm slowly trying to let go of that 😅

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    1. There is that pressure to feed the nosiness in people, but I do limit what I share to people online now, I'd rather be curious about me!

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  12. This is such a thought provoking post! I definitely think I'm every open online especially with my mental health and I like that as it has made me feel better knowing there are people out there in the same boat. There's definitely a lot of my life I keep private though too x

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    1. I'm glad that sharing your mental health online has helped you Della, like you, it makes me feel better that there are some people in the same boat as myself x

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  13. A very thoughtful post. I agree, it is difficult to tread that line between wanting to help others by sharing your journey through a difficulty and being cautious to not post things that predators might use.

    One thing many people do not realize is the danger of sharing personal photos online - especially of children. This is something that was brought to my attention by a police officer a few years ago. It is surprising what sick predators can glean from personal photos and use them for grooming or even abduction purposes.
    One of the worst things parents can do is post pictures of their children in front of their home, school or other recognizable place that they routinely visit.

    My latest post actually might be seen as oversharing - Overcoming Childhood Sexual Abuse - Warriors Share Your Victories!
    It was difficult to write, but I hope it may help others.

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    1. Sharing photo's of your children is something that is up to the parents, but there are most certainly dangers behind it. They need to take great care in what they post online.
      I'm sure that post of yours will help so many people x

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  14. Love this! I try to keep my posts relatable but also not too personal- I want people to relate to me but I certainly don't want everyone to be privy to every detail of my life haha :) I definitely think that when it comes to my relationship I am particularly private- and I think that everyone has things they will feel more/less comfortable speaking about. Great post x

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    1. That's how it should be lovely! Be relatable but not too personal!
      I definitely keep all the relationships in my life private and not share any details of them on social media! x

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  15. This is a really interesting post - a great topic starter. I blog because I enjoy documenting the things I get up to, but I think it's really important to keep some things off the blog.

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    1. Thank you Katy!
      I agree lovely, some things should stay away from online life and stay private x

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  16. This is such a great post. It really is a fine line that we walk as bloggers to know whether or not we are oversharing. I loved reading this. Thanks so much for sharing it!

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    1. Thank you Charity, we definitely do tread a fine line in what we share online!

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  17. Super interesting to read your experiences! Personally I'm not that open in terms of my own 'private' life on my instagram, as I have my own instagram for myself, with my friends and not that many people know that I blog. I quite like it as I don't feel the necessity to share so much personal stuff as my blog content is quite different but for those who write more personal posts and blogs, I can understand the challenge xx

    www.iridescentplaces.com

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    1. Not many people knew I blogged in the beginning, but I love that they know now and I'm more open about that. But I wouldn't share some things online that I know my family and friends could see! xx

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  18. I really think you're onto something with this post. I recently decided to step back from over sharing my personal life - I never shared massively personal things but my phone was like the elephant in the room. Now, I don't post over the weekends and keep my family life to myself. It actually feels really nice to have two different times!

    Rosie

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    1. I love that you don't post on weekends and keep that time for your family and friends, I don't post on the weekends as that's my little time away from social media!

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  19. Great post Lucy! It does feel like as a blogger we do tend to share more than what others might share, I guess we are a lot more open on our blogs and social media. However, I think it is usually down to the individual with how much they feel comfortable to share. I talk openly about my mental health, but it took me a little while until I got to that stage where I felt comfortable sharing it. But definitely feel the same as you, if it's something I wouldn't tell a stranger then I wouldn't share it online! xx

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    1. You're right Chloe, at the end of the day, it's up to the individual as to what they feel comfortable in sharing online. I'm glad you feel comfortable talking about your mental health online, it definitely seems to have helped you xx

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  20. You bring up a very interesting point. I have always been a relatively private person, but now with social media, and particularly my blog, I seem to have become more of an open book. Yes, of course, I do still have some boundaries, but I am much more open than I would ever have imagined I would be.
    xoxo
    Lovely
    www.mynameislovely.com

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    1. I think blogging does allow you to be more open without even knowing it sometimes, but it's good that you still have boundaries xx

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  21. This is really an interesting topic. I love your insights on this. Your way to analyse things is so new. Looking forward to reading new stuff and new ideas.

    Love Mariann Yip
    https://www.mariannyc.com/four-tips-on-how-to-promote-yourself-on-social-media/

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  22. Thank you for sharing, I have overshared once on another platform, nobody really cared of what I had to say, so I had to cut back what I said as it was really hurtful about somebody, so now I'm careful on what I say on certain places including my blog :)

    Nic | Nic's Adventures & Bakes

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    1. It sounds like you have learnt your lesson from that experience Nic, it sounds like it's made you realise what you can include on your blog and social media x

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  23. This is such a good post, Lucy. Your point about if you can't tell a stranger IRL then maybe don't tell strangers virtually is spot on. I'm pretty careful what I post about (although each to their own) because I don't want a backlash, nor do I want strangers knowing very personal stuff about me. x

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    1. Thank you Lisa, I think there is always going to be a risk of a backlash when posting something online, especially if it's controversial! x

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  24. This is such a great post. I think it is totally up to the individual person about what they want to share. I love your rule though about if you wouldn't tell it to a stranger in the street then its probably better not to share it online!

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    1. Thank you Sarah, you're right lovely, it's totally up to the person as to what they want to share online. That rule really does help me!

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  25. I love the rule of thumb you've included, and it's one I try to stick to myself! However, I do sometimes forget that not just my mutuals will be seeing what I post, but those complete strangers as well. All in all, I like to keep a lot of my life and opinions private, and make sure that my happy place on the internet is just that--a creative space that I started because I wanted to share my creativity and have fun doing so! x

    brineandbooks.com

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    1. I think it's easy to forget how many people do potentially see the things you post online Macey, I sometimes forget that! I like that you aim to keep your online space a happy and creative one, that's so nice! x

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  26. Great post Lucy! I'm someone who's naturally quite private so sharing my life on my blog has never really been something that I've been totally comfortable doing. I think because my blog focuses mostly on drinks and music, I've found the perfect balance of sharing the exact right amount for me. I like to think that my readers know enough about me e.g. what my go-to drinks are and what my opinions are on drinks and music related content, but not everything about me. It's all down to personal choice though really isn't it! :) x

    https://www.femaleoriginal.com

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    1. Thank you Faye! I'm glad that you have found the perfect balance as to what you share online x

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  27. I think it's certainly down to the individual - I personally share about my IBS/mental health in order to raise awareness, and I think in some way it's much easier to type something out into a blog post than talk to someone face to face about it. The beauty of sharing though has meant that people I know who have read my blog have come up to me afterwards and said things like "I didn't know you were going through this..." and so on, so it's starting up a conversation which is something I'd never have the bravery to do normally! I do think some things should be left private though - especially when it comes to things like sex/relationships! My rule is - if I'm not comfortable with my Mum reading it (she reads literally every single one of my posts bless her), I shouldn't post it! 😂
    Amy | sassycatlady.com

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    1. I think sharing about your mental health/health conditions can really raise awareness and help others learn about them. I agree with you though lovely, I think some things should stay private x

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  28. I was only talking to my mum about this the other day. I used to share so much online and it became almost like a habit or addiction. If something happened, I felt compelled to tell the world. These days, I keep a lot of things private and just try to share a few key pieces. I think its all about what you individually feel comfortable with. I love the rule you go by.

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    1. It does become a bit of habit Kelly, it's important to know what you think is right to share about yourself online! You're right lovely, it's all about what the individual feels comfortable in sharing!

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  29. Oh such an important topic! I love how you wrote about this. I definitely think it is a very personal thing. I think there's certain things I find quite therapeutic to share online and other things I just can't bring myself to. I know that's okay and we don't have to share anything and everything even if we still want to be authentic. I think just do you is a good way of approaching it x

    Lauren | itslaurenvictoria.co.uk

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    1. It's all about what you feel most comfortable in sharing Lauren, you share what you think is ok for you lovely! x

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  30. I feel comfortable with sharing a lot of things. I like to think that my experiences can help a lot of people so I want people to feel that they aren't alone. I do get worried that I will overshare and be judged for it though. The internet can be such a strange place!

    Em x

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    1. Talking about experiences that you have had can definitely help people, we're always inspiring someone!

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  31. Great post. I think it all depends on the person.

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