There is a fabulously written* post about my last visit to the doctor sitting in my draft folder, waiting to be let out and play with the other ones.
This blog post could make me a BLOGSTAR!!**
The big question is, why don’t I publish it? Why haven’t I pushed that button and let it roam free? Those are very good questions. Thanks for asking. Here is the conversation about this that I imagine we would have if we were sitting in the same room.
You: Why haven’t you published this stupendous blog post?
Me: The answer is simple, but complex. Paradoxical even.
You: >.> Huh?
Me: I don’t want to lose my job. I am an educator.
You: <.< Oh-kay? What does that have to do with anything?
Me: (entering justified– in my humble but accurate opinion– rant) Anything I post is subject to scrutiny. I can’t joke about how I wish sometimes that teenagers weren’t allowed outside or in public when I am around and especially after dark. If I talk about imbibing an alcoholic beverage or, goodness forbid, have a picture posted of me with said beverage, there is the possibility of administrative sanctions. Even though I am of legal age. Swearing in my blog? Heavens no! What if one of my students saw it and decided that it was appropriate? Please understand, though, that I am not one for swearing. However, an occasional swear provides emphasis. Sometimes I like to drop a curse. I have to watch what I write because I could get into trouble. If there is one thing that I hate more than anything else, it is getting into trouble! There are so many teachers out there who have been put on administrative leave or lost their jobs because of these innocent things. I don’t want to be one of them.
You: O.o
Me: Inorite?
Unless I want to blog anonymously (and seriously, don’t we blog to be famous??), I have to watch what I write. Will I get fired if I do any of the above things? Probably not. My district is a good one to work for; my principal is understanding. However, the risk is still there. Because social media is relatively new the rules in academia haven’t been determined. There is no standard that I can follow, no set guidelines to … um… guide me, and no way to know whether or not my post about waiting for my doctor can get me into trouble.
I guess that is one of the reasons why I don’t blog as consistently as I ought to. I have ideas jostling around in my head, fighting to get out, but I worry about what ramifications will occur if I post them. Every post is an act of self-censorship and it kind of makes me sad.
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*I know this because my mom told me it was fabulously written.
**application of @lucysfootball’s emphatic style (read her blog; it rocks!)
Quietly Askew 
Good questions. Understand why you’re taking this seriously. Have you thought about an anonymous blog without any considerations of ‘becoming famous’? Might be a nice outlet. Also, just because you start anonymous, doesn’t mean it always has to stay that way.
Just a thought.
Incidentally, now I’m curious about this impending blogpost.
I tried blogging anonymously but it didn’t work. I felt very disingenuous and couldn’t make myself do it. Believe me, I tried. I really don’t want to be famous; I just want to be read as myself. It sounds silly but I hid who I really was for so long because I wanted to be “perfect” for everyone. I don’t want to do it anymore.
That is why I am not posting anonymously. I think I am trying to work myself up some courage to post it and that is why I wrote this post first.
You are amazing! This was a joy to read. Thank you.