I think it’s fairy obvious that I suffer from a condition known as Speakbeforeuthinkitis. I never quite caught onto the idea of applying a filter between my every thought and my mouth. So, if it’s in the head, it’s as good as said.
Ever wondered why I schedule my posts? Well, now you know. Scheduling allows me a little buffer between writing and actually publishing. It’s a buffer that I have indeed relied on from time to time.
I thought I’d share a list of topics that I’ve written about, but have decided not to publish. Some are too controversial, some I was writing ahead of really knowing what I wanted to say, others are merely boring even beyond my usual dullness.
I think the subjects alone make you realise how important that filter is and what a dehabilitating condition Speakbeforeuthinkitis can be.
The worst mother in the school*
Why I don’t do sponsored posts
What religion means to me
The most boring job in the world**
The mean side of blogging
Committed to social media
The falseness of make-up
There you have it. A trip through the less-than-delightful unpublished drafts folder of Maxabella loves… All posts I spent a little time on that will most likely never see the light of day. Hmmmm… most likely.
* A perfectly fine topic if you are writing about yourself, of course.
** Darn, just realised I published this one on Monday. Sorry about that – the filter is obviously a little rosy from time to time…
[Image created by Carol Rivello and found here]
Erin says
“The falseness of make-up”
Oh hot button topic here at the moment. My dh just got into a major argument with another family member about this, both on opposing sides of the camp, both felt very strongly. One arguing we need make-up to feel good about our self image, the other arguing culture needs to change its message on that.
Sannah says
I’d LOVE to read about the worst mother at school!
Cherie @ 'a baby called Max' says
If only we could apply this filter to real life situations!
That would have served me many a time … 🙂
Actually, reading through your filter list, I’m so interested in two;
Why you don’t do sponsored posts (I’m only new to blogging, and see a lot of sponsored posts out there, and I don’t understand how the whole thing works, some seem so completely unrelated to the theme of the blog – but that’s just my humble opinion),
and,
The meanness of blogging. That’s something I haven’t encountered yet, but truly hope not to! I’m such a sensitive soul, I think I’d just cry if someone said something nasty, haha.
I like taking a bambi approach to people, and life, in that if you’ve not got anything nice to say, don’t say anything at all 🙂
Once again,
another fantastic post 🙂
Thankyou xx
CurlyPops says
I love it when people are confident enough to write controversial posts.
I would never do it because I can’t handle conflict – at all.
I would love to hear your take on sponsored posts – one of my favourite topics!
Linda says
I have had quite a few unpublished ones over the years and some I have published and then a few days or a week later I will either delte them or go back and edit them. I try to keep my blog as true to me as I can but then I get upset when i get negatives responses to subjects so I then think why bother saying anything, maybe that’s better. Some subjects – just recently social media and blogging (just edited that last night nearly deleted it completely but took a lot out)another topic that never got published was the clickiness of some blogs, and the “super” blogs one in particular that never in years of commenting on their blog never has bothered to comment back not once because I guess mine is just not cool enough, I could go on but I won’t. I say what I think and sometimes I just shouldn’t 🙂 great post thanks
Mum on the Run says
Thank you for the diagnosis!!
got to love those drafts.
Sometimes just writing the post is enough, isn’t it?!
Publishing it would just be inviting trouble.
I don’t know how people stop their thoughts flowing out their mouth so regularly. Do we have a physical problem? A muscle missing/!
🙂
Melissa says
this made me laugh out loud…
i wonder how many of us write the first one- about ourselves of course (as you say!!)
but on the other side of all that filtering…my fave blogs are the ones where thoughts are shared with honesty and strong self belief…
go on…publish the first one….!
thanks for the giggle…
melissa- miss sew & so
xx
Jane says
Interesting, Bron. Publish #2, pretty please – I’m intrigued. J x
Naomi says
I have many unpublished posts! Although, I don’t think I’d shy away from any topic if it meant something to me. Most of my unpublished posts are written in moments of PMT… and no one needs to read those!
Karen Wilson says
I don’t have unpublished posts because my blog is mostly about my crafting… although there are a few things I feel like saying at times and then think better of myself.
I have a lot of Facebook statuses that I write, but reconsider just before hitting ‘submit’. (and I’ve submitted a few that drew nasty replies from friends too…..)
MummyK says
I have drafts but they’re drafts because I haven’t had the time to edit them not because I don’t want to publish them. Having said that, I’m not sure at this point where my filter is up to. I’ll figure it out.
Rachel {Little Bits of Lovely} says
Haha, these all sound like great/interesting topics! I often have to take a minute reconsider before i post something, ensuring i have some sort of filter happening and love how you manage this by scheduling your posts. I definitely think you should share some of these unpublished posts with us! x
thesoundandthefury says
Hi Maxabella,
I started a new blog called “Think Again” a few weeks ago with the intention of getting topical on the issues in the news of the day. I haven’t been able to keep up with regular posting as “life gets in the way”, to borrow a song title.
There’s heaps I could go off about – carbon tax, London looters, Rupert Murdoch, Alan Jones and how he annoys me… but having said, without some filtering in place, I’m worried my little under-nourished blog will end up the written online equivalent of a talkback radio show… 🙁
Anyways, keep up the good work, mate.
jody says
You are never dull!! I would love to hear what you have to say on all of those topics! x
Coal Valley View says
Hello,
I’m new to blogging (1 week in) and came across your blog through MultipleMum. I’m really enjoying your posts!! Would love you to publish #1, #2 and #5. I actually posted a little rant on after-school sport politics yesterday but then quickly deleted it because I realised it might have stirred up trouble if people I knew actually read it. Unlikely at the moment as I’ve just started blogging! I wonder if it is then more strategic to publish controversial posts in the early days of a blog before anyone starts actually reading??? hmm
Naturally Carol says
Haha! I would actually like to know how you feel about each of these topics!!
Ms Styling You says
I’m with Carol. Now I just want those posts!
Rhonda says
I’m with the other ladies. I’d like to read those posts! I have posted a few controversial things, and gotten a nasty email about one of them.
I often fail to think before I open my mouth and then it just gets EPIC. I can’t stop talking and I can see I’m offending people so I start over explaining and it all goes downhill from there. Now The Hubs is always asking why I’m so quiet. How quickly he has forgotten the early days.
Jodi @ The Scribble Den says
Sometimes it is good to just write and publish – can make for the best posts. But too true, sometimes it can be a good thing to leave it with time to mature.
I have many drafts, most of which will see the light of day at one time or another. I sometimes like to give myself a chance at a different perspective by coming back to it.
Would love to read all your unpublished works!
trudi@maudeandme says
What drew me to your blog in the first was your approach to the everyday stuff and your ability to laugh at yourself.
I have sometimes wanted to blog about other stuff other than craft on my blog , but I stop because I think it might be read by people who know me personally and may take offence.
For example your post on having a play date which involved a mum with some “nude” issues. Did you get any flak from the mum about that?
BabyMac says
I think there is only one I haven’t ever published (and that’s mostly because I just couldn’t write it properly) about Daisy and our frustrations. It felt unfair on her. But I think it will get written one day. I am terrible and just write straight away and hit publish – I’m never organised enough to schedule (and or patient enough if I have a good one I just want to publish away).
BUT…get some of these bad boys out won’t you?!
Jen says
I love that you use the word filter! I use it as well and one of the students I have taught before I simply have to say the word filter and he zips his lips! lol. I definitely only use my filter 2/10 times that I speak.
I have some posts in draft format but they are so boring that I don’t even bother looking at them again. Sometimes I look back and wish I used my filter more on my blog. lol.
Lizeylou says
I never used to have a filter but as I get older I think just maybe I have found one.
I still say what I think but maybe the tone of how I say it is different – a tone filter (is that possible?)
As for unpublished posts – I don’t really have any, but then my blog can be quite random sometimes.
I’d love you to post about the worst mother in the school – maybe you could tone it down to “the mother you feel sorry for at school?” he he!!
Megan Blandford says
I want to read all of those! I think there’s still a lot going unsaid in this blogging world and it would be refreshing to hear some different views on those topics 🙂
A Farmer's Wife says
I don’t get too controversial (OK – don’t get controversial at all) for a couple of reason. Mainly because I see my blog very much as “light relief”. Hence the fact that my blog has the depth of a muddy puddle. That’s OK though – I like it like that.
I also keep my blog anonymous and have never liked it when anonymous people say horrible things (not that being controversial necessarily means being horrible at all). If I was to give a strong opinion (ie on issues in agriculture, rural politics etc) I would probably do it in another forum with my real identity attached…
Would love to read why you don’t do sponsored posts (surely it can’t be that controversial??) and about the mean side of blogging!
Loved this post.
Take care.
A Farmer's Wife says
This comment has been removed by the author.
Kelly says
All the titles of the unpublished posts sound intriguing – specially “The mean side of blogging”.
My filter is to delete a post days after if I decided I don’t want to share it anymore!
Deb says
I am glad you clarified about the worst mother at school LOL.
I am very new to blogging (this is my first week), but am already aware of my filter. It feels like such a fine line between expressing my views and pissing off others or sounding like I think I know it all.
katiecrackernuts says
Oh, scheduling. Now there’s an idea.
P&P you reckon. Eep. I don’t think I have the mental fortitude.
Mrs Woog says
I want to read those posts!
I write and publish. I also have a crappy filter. Sometimes I regret it, but you know the saying today’s news is …. yes. That one.
Love you Maxabella xxx
MonetPaisley says
Publish them!
The controversy is what keeps me coming back, day after day…..
Becks says
I’d love to write cranky posts! When someone is really ticking me off. Unfortunately most of them read my blog and I’m too chicken to stir the pot!
Diminishing Lucy says
I publish them all. Good bad and ugly. but they are never that controversial. I am dull.
I say hit publish. You have nothing to lose…xx
Karen says
These all sound very juicy! Dare I say they would receive a lot of visits, if not always favourable comments.
Looking forward to Maxabella Loves “The Mean Girls” edition. Sometimes blogland does look a little like high school. 😉
Tas says
I did my very first draft the other day…after over 400 posts! Just wanted to get the thoughts down.
I avoid any inflammatory topics that might get people aggro. I really hate confrontation even if it just through blog comments. It would mean many a sleepless night in the Little Boozle household. I just don’t have the personality to cope with playing devil’s advocate.
Caz (The Truth About Mummy) says
I don’t have many I haven’t posted. Mostly ones that might affect others. I have an over sensitive filter I think!!
bron @ baby space says
I have that same condition. For the most part it only afflicts me/others in person rather than in the blogosphere though…
Am sure we’d all love to read your list! I vote for ‘what religion means to me’ for one 🙂 Happy weekend!
neesay says
Self censorship is definitely not my strong point – I suffer a serious case of “mouth-is-open-should-be-closed”!!
Vanessa says
My filter makes me think and think and think through an issue before I decide to write about it. If I make the effort to put my feelings into print, I hit publish. I guess that way I know that I have debated it long enough in my head. Your method sounds much more sensible, write it and then decide whether to publish.Part of me is scared the webs would steal my work and it would end up published somewhere.
I am interested in the meanness of blogging. Surely you could post most of these, you write with such a clarity and great syle that you would hardly offend.
Cat says
You of course, have me interested in what your take on a number of those issues is. I don’t blog much about 2 things – the Mr/marriage/how I’d like to stab him with a fork occasionally…..& things associated with my Dad & childhood in a big way. I love that you speak a lot before you think – it’s more honest that way, though I’m sure you enjoy scheduling your posts & worry less about them that way too.
Nell says
Genius post. Love it xx
Kymmie says
Aaah, the best kind of filter – your readers. I like this. Perhaps after all these comments, you might just publish some of these babies!
I’ve never told you this, but I did start another blog. It was called the “Dark Side of Pollyanna”. Of course, it was anonymous. And then after I create it I wondered, if I couldn’t put my name on it, then I shouldn’t publish it. And that was the end of the Blog With The Cool Name.
But unpublished posts on the blog I actually use? Yes, I have lots. And once I tweak them a little more, they might even be good enough for publishing. We’ll see…
Great post! Kymmie x
alexkeller says
haha! i try not to say anything at which my mom would raise her eyebrows. not that she reads my blog, but …
Down that Little Lane says
None unpublished as yet but only because they never got written.. I often wonder how brave I will get as time passes.
I know I edit my language as it is…..I am not sure if thats just polite or me being a scaredy cat. Oh it’s not that I am a full on potty mouth that sits in a gutter spouting obsenities but I do have a far more honest {brutal?!} side…
Now back to you.. I would love to hear about all those unpublished posts….
You post them and I’ll do you a follow up to support and give you my side not just via a comment?
Right off to find that way to make a button…. going to start having a Lil’ party of my own on Mondays from week after next…any help/advice greatly appreciated x
Mrs BC says
I think way too much before I hit publish, & I think that makes me a less interesting blogger. Although in real life I don’t seem to have any filter before I say things out loud, unfortunately. Can’t win!
I would LOVE to see these posts, Maxabella, would you please reconsider publishing them?
x