Thinking about starting a project, but I'm not sure.
Hey everyone,
So, I have been thinking about doing my own personal online vlog for over a year now (no not for money). I am posting this because I want to know what you guys think. Try to get am opinion on the matter from different sources.
I was thinking about just having something like a youtube where I can just post a video about anything, music, art, things about depression, what is bothering me, just a general diary type thing I guess. It wouldn't be an every day thing, but just something to state my opinions and feelings.
I don't know if I really want to do it or not though. I mean, on here at 7 cups, I can talk about anything. Anything that is on my mind I can say and no one here will try to harm me or put me down. The rest of the internet, however, is a very different place. I am scared that I would just be opening myself up to personal attacks and "trolls". I have seen other people vlog not really have this issue. But, I have also seen people that post videos about anything. not really having to do with themselves or their lives, and people just rip them to pieces in the comments and in private messages. I am not sure if doing such a personal thing would be maybe even worse.
The more I think about it, the more silly it seems. I don't even remember why I wanted to do it. I just kind of feel like I want to. I don't really even have a reason for it anymore. Maybe I just want to be heard? I could just post typed out articles here instead. Maybe I want to meet people that feel the same way? I can do that here as well. I don't know, if I can't even remember why I wanted to do it, maybe I shouldn't anyway. I guess it would just be a personal outlet where I can just share things.
What do you all think about it?
Maybe you could give it a go and just be careful at first to only put things on there which wouldn't hurt you so much if someone attacked them- i.e. nothing too personal at first.
You could always still use the support of sevencups to come back to if you do get attacked (as unfortunately there are always going to be jealous, hateful people out there, looking for those doing something positive to attack) and have the support you need to deal with any negativity that arises. I would guess, and this is just a subjective guess from what I have seen on other people's blogs, that the more of a following you gain, if you do receive hateful comments, the majority of your followers will say enough positivity to drown them out and will take it into their own hands to defend you. So maybe you could build up to it slowly and promote it to the right trusted people, before you put anything too personal on there.
Whatever you do, best of luck to you and hope you make the decision that's right for you.
:)
@missg Thank you for replying :)
That does seem like a good idea. I could always start small and if anything happens, I can delete and block the person. If it is something really bad I could always come back here for help.
I have seen some people have a following like that was well, I just am not sure about the whole following thing though. I'm not trying to be famous or popular. I just want something for me that shows who I am. If people like it and connect with me, great. But, even if I don't get a single view, that is fine. So, I am not sure about promoting it to people. I mean, I would love to share the videos here, but I don't think 7 CoT allows that sort of thing.
I probably used the wrong word with 'promote'- I should have said share really. Share with one or two really trusted friends or family members or even someone you feel would appreciate it. Sometimes, you will be surprised at who the people are who end up relating to it and sharinIn wouldn'twn experiences after seeing the bravery of you sharing your own.
It sounds as though you have some anxieties with the thought of sharing yourself outside of this safe and comfortable place (what a shame the whole world can't be a bigger version of this safe and trusted community) , and that is so understandable and it took me a good couple of years to truly feel the courage to share my true self- broken parts and all- on my own blog, and I wouldn't have been able to do it without this place as my safety net and inspiration.
@missg Well, the sad thing is, I would rather share it with strangers than people I know. Like my family and current friends, don't actually know a lot about some of the things I have been through. For about 9 - 10 years of my life I was in a very major depression. It was in my last year of high school and my time I spent in college that I finally started coming out of it. I am doing WAY better than I ever have been. Like If someone would have told my younger self I would be where I am now I would have laughed them and called them a liar.
My fear is, that what if no one accepts me or they attack me. Will I regress back into that major depression? I mean I don't think that it would be likely unless I had something like 20 people attack me and no good comments at all. I am a much stronger person than I was, but there is always that what if. I have never been a big risk taker. Maybe this will end up being good for me? *shrugs*
Hi Zethnos! I understand your concern.. It's really hard to put yourself out there.. Cause those ideas and feelings are the fabric of your soul.. And it's really easy to feel violated, when others pass a judgement on something you value so much, without fully comprehending the meaning of what you're trying to convey since they can't be inside your head or heart.. Personally I don't believe anyone has the right to judge someone else's creative expression.. They can choose to absorb it or reject it, but should abstain from commenting on its value or validity.. But most people have their own insecurities and will choose to take courses of action based on what makes them feel better about themselves.. So whenever someone does say something, maybe you could try to tell yourself that it is not a reflection of you or your work, but that it is a reaction of their psyche to your expression.. That probably doesn't help much in relieving the pain associated with being judged, because a validation of our beliefs by making connections with others through them is what we tend to be looking for in the first place.. But then again, like you said, you cannot begin to make this connection unless others can see what you're about.. So i would say, take the risk.. Express.. It's the only tool you've got to shape the world around you.. And for all you know, it might make someone else feel understood and give them something to think about.. Where would we be if all those who have influenced us didn't choose to express.. So go ahead and give it a shot.. And like missg said.. In case some of the responses get to you, you could always fall back on us.. We're here for you.. :)
@namiBhatt Thank you for replying to me :)
I had typed out a response to you, but the window closed out on me :( So this is attempt number two lol. I just can't quite remember what all I said.
Yes it is very hard to put yourself out there. I don't know how some of theses people do it. I mean they tell such deep personal stories that they even cry on camera talking about it. Amazingly enough though, I don't really see people being mean to them. Those people have thousands of followers though. Which, I am not trying to get famous or popular from it you know.
I 100% agree with you that no one should be judged. The sad truth is, as humans, we just do it naturally. It is how we identify things, good, bad, weird. We judge things almost immediately. It is more or less how we act upon those judgments that cause issues. I just don't understand what kind of judgment, and how they justify the actions they are taking upon that judgment, to try and hurt someone else.
Back to the main point though. Yes I suppose I could give it ago and just try to play off the small things, then if something gets to me, or if it just starts building up, I can delete it all and just come here for help. I would feel a lot better if I could just post there here is stead. I mean, I would feel safer at least. I believe there are rule against it though.
Hmm I guess the rules are as such to protect your privacy.. But I do agree that you would feel safer sharing your thoughts with people you can trust to respond compassionately.. I'm just wondering about the possibility of a private anonymous channel which can be viewed only by those you share the link with and maybe you could share the link here.. I'm not sure whether that is against the policies too.. Because it appears that they don't mind as long as you don't disclose enough information for anyone to be able to figure out your contact details or whereabouts.. It's a bit tricky though :(
And yes, if you are not ready to let all of the world in on it yet, it does make sense to start off with an audience that is receptive.. Once you have built up your confidence ,you'd be mentally stronger and that would motivate you to step foot into unknown territory.. But in any case, maybe you could go ahead and start recording your videos.. Maybe once you have the material ready you'll know what you want to do? And like you said, you could also start posting text content here.. I'm sure there would be many listeners/members who share similar interests and points of view and would be interested in knowing what you've got to say..
@namiBhatt I just thought I would share this. Both times you have posted, about a few minutes after, I wake up and read it hahaha. Just woke up and got your message. Weird huh?
Yeah I do understand the privacy issue thing though.I was going to do this on the youtube channel with my first and last name. Probable shouldn't do that if I post a link here haha.
I'll think about it all and see what I come up with. I may do the text thing. What would be great is if 7 cups had a way of letting us upload videos to our profile. It would be interesting.
Now that's a coincidence :D
And you're right.. Many people would benefit from the opportunity of sharing media on 7 cups.. If they can figure out a way of allowing that keeping privacy intact that would be great.. For all we know, it might be on the to-do list of the site developers.. Hope it happens sooner rather than later..
@namiBhatt - I found out the other day, from a mod, that we can actually share links to our outside social media as long as the account is anonymous. We are not allowed to do youtube though because it is very hard to stay anonymous on there, but if we use a different website to put the videos up we actually can share them here as long as there is nothing giving out who we really are.
That's awesome! How about vimeo or Dropbox? Also, WordPress allows uploading media.. Not sure about how it works though..
@namiBhatt - I have no idea. I will have to look into it some more. I am still worried about doing it at all xD
Haha I understand that.. In your response to missg you said that you were worried about how it might push you over the edge if you got too many negative comments.. So i guess the question you need to ask yourself is which urge is stronger? The urge to express and connect or the urge to protect yourself? Also, can you put a finger on what aspect of rejection you're worried about? As in, would it hurt you more because you'd feel like others didn't understand you and that would make you feel isolated or because it would make you question the value of your ideas and feelings and negatively effect your self esteem and make you withdraw again?
Over all though, I guess the ratio of people who would relate with you would be higher than that of malicious haters on a site like this :)
Very well put. Feel inspired by this topic! :)
It's a brilliant idea! You can inspire so many people! But it won't be easy, people will be people and they will find ways to try and hurt you with words. It's 100% up to you to decide but if you feel like you want to do it. Give it a try. :)
It really is up to you if you really want to do this. Just keep in mind both the positive and negative outcomes and be prepared for both. If you feel that you will be okay with the negative, or that the positive will outweigh the negative, then I say go for it. It is worth a shot.