I often get asked by people close to me why I started this blog, even though I really value my privacy and think it might seem a bit hypocritical. I figured I’d share my thoughts with everyone in case more people have similar questions.

As I mentioned in a previous post, it’s because of choice and control. However, I also view this personal blog as a place to freely express myself, where I can look back at my past writings in the future. It’s like having a public diary, where I can share my thoughts, happenings and ideas with the world. Also, making it public has made it easier for me to write because it feels like an actual place rather than a hidden note that could be easily lost or even thrown away. 

I don’t write it for others, per se, but more so for myself in a couple of years. It’s like a digital mirror, to see how I’ve changed over time.

I’m planning to blog more as I get the hang of it, and I’m aiming to improve my skills along the way. This is my first time blogging, so I’m excited to see where this takes me!

People around me in real life often express their confusion about me having a personal blog, given my strong interests in privacy. Besides wondering why I would even have a personal blog since they never seen one before (they obviously don’t know better), they question why I would choose to share my personal life or thoughts, online with the public, without the need for (social media) friendship. Asking me “why would anyone you don’t know be interested in your posts?”.

However, they fail to understand that I have the choice to decide what to share and with whom. Having the power of choice, allows me to control the content I share with the world.

The Choice & Control

When I post on my personal blog, I have complete control over what I share and how it is presented. Unlike on those large tech social platforms, they track my location, my contacts, the frequency and timing of my interactions, and my usage habits, such as through trackers, to profit from my data. This is one of the reasons I stopped using big tech social media, besides that it can also be addictive.

Posting on my personal blog is like choosing to host a dinner party. I choose who to invite and what’s on the menu (unless we decide together). Being on big tech social media is like having a hidden microphone under the table at the dinner party, recording everything, including a silent whisper or fart, for a marketing company. I’m good with the dinner party but not fine with the microphone.

I value my privacy and data, and I don’t want them to be misused or exploited for someone else’s gain. Especially these days when it is one data breach after another.

Privacy isn’t about keeping secrets or being anonymous; it’s about having control and having a choice.

You shouldn't confuse privacy with secrecy. We know what happens in the bathroom, but you still close the door. That's because you want privacy, not secrecy. Everyone has something to protect. Privacy is something that makes us human. — Privacy Guides