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Let’s take a tiny break from holiday talk this morning to get real about something that has been making me feel a little low as of late: Internet cruelty. As someone who puts her life and home out there for the world to see (and comment on) on a daily basis, I’ve learned not to get too upset by negativity. I respect everyone’s opinions—but not when those opinions are rudely put and destructive. There’s a BIG difference between saying you don’t like something and saying you think a person is “stupid” or “an idiot” for designing her home a certain way.
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So, when Apartment Therapy asked if I’d like to shed some light on this topic after a certain photo they posted of our home took on a nasty life of its own, I was all for it. I would love for you to click over to Apartment Therapy to read my essay and to weigh in with your own thoughts, perspectives, and opinions in their comments section. It’s already getting pretty heated over there, and I wonder if any of you have more to add to that space.
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Before you read my essay, though, I wanted to warn you that a certain four-letter expletive is used. I promise it’s not meant to offend, but more to underscore the types of things I hear from strangers fairly often on viral social media posts. It’s not my quote, but literally something I copied and pasted from someone’s comment about our home. I just thought I’d give you a heads up since the commenters on Apartment Therapy got the wrong idea that I intentionally used that language to get a reaction—not the case!
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Thanks, as always, for your support, for hearing me out, and (perhaps most imortant of all) for your thoughtful, respectful comments here on the blog. It means more to me than you’ll ever, ever know…Now, please hop over to read my Apartment Therapy essay, and be sure to share your own thoughts about Internet bullying and negative commenting either below or in Apartment Therapy’s comments section.
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Oh goodness. Off to read this now…. I have a feeling I’m going to need to remind myself to “keep breathing” while reading the comments. And bravo to you for facing it all again!
You and me both, haha!! Thank you so much for your thoughtful words and support, Amy!!!
I’m so sorry to hear people are being to negative and disrespectful. I have just recently found your blog and have been reading about 2 months. I truly enjoy your content. My decor style is very similar to yours. I also have a great love of mid century modern, I personally take it a little more edgy, rock and roll vibe (I married a musician). But I find your blog and your YouTube channel to be beautiful and inspiring. Please keep sharing your home with us.
Thanks, Tiffany!! I am so grateful to have you following along and for your support. It means more to me than you know!
AT always fascinates (and sometimes horrifies) me. Most home bloggers and decorating forum regulars are so kind. They’ll go a mile out of their way to find something nice to say before sharing an idea for a tweak. AT really seems to attract a subset of design enthusiasts who aren’t able or willing to do that.
I admire you for putting yourself out there in the first place, but going back for another feature.
Yes, I know exactly what you mean about AT! Thank you for your kind words—it means a lot to me!!
The rudeness of anonymity! Of course there are going to be aspects of your home that you like more than strangers do, it’s YOUR home. I hope none of this negativity invaded your space. Merry Christmas from hot sunny Australia
Yes, of course—you’re so right that we can’t all agree on everything…I hope people will be kinder when stating their disagreements in future 🙂 Thanks for the support, and Merry Christmas to you as well!
Wow, people really do think so highly of themselves, right? I read others’ blogs and AT to get new ideas about how to feel more comfortable in my own space. I often don’t like things I see — but who cares since I don’t have to live with it? Your blog is really cool — you try out new ideas and see if other things work. Experimentation is what design is all about. There’s just no need to be nasty about it. Just mind your own business, and don’t take décor so personally, y’all! These people clearly have too much time on their hands and anger in their lives. I personally have ambivalent feelings about the bookshelf. On one hand, it looks cool, kind of minimal and esoteric. On the other, it’s not very useful if you can’t see the books. Books are meant to be BOTH intellectual and décor. I guess it just depends on the aesthetic you’re going for.
Thanks for the comment, Randi! I really appreciate the support and totally agree that we don’t all have to love the same things for our individual homes. That’s what makes them extra special and one of a kind!! Thanks again 🙂