Ugly comments & how to deal with the unhinged!
Tips on what to do when people are toxic liars and a couple stories to share with you
Writing a public blog is a wonderful way to express yourself, be creative and have your voice heard. I highly recommend anyone wanting to write on a topic or topics close to their heart to start one.This is my second blog, and it has become really successful since I launched it last October.
The feedback I get is extremely positive and is encouraging me to continue writing and sharing my voice with you all.
I would like to say a sincere thank you to the many of you who leave beautiful and heartfelt comments. I hear you and I appreciate you and I care about you 🥰
Pretty much all my readers & subscribers find my words relatable, and of value. And that is exactly what I was aiming for when I began writing my blog. Especially given I range from topics as diverse as relationship issues, health & wellbeing, my own cancer journey and return to wellbeing, and of course, my therapy dog George!
However, like with anything when you put yourself out there, particularly online, there is the potential danger of trolls leaving nasty comments. Fortunately, I moderate my blog and I choose not to publish nasty, ugly words or comments that malign my nature or myself as a human being. Because it is my blog afterall and I have the choice to not put negative energy out there!
Steps to dealing with trolls:
For those of you new to blogging or considering blogging and having concerns about trolls, here are some things you can do.
- Make sure you set-up your blog to allow you to moderate comments. That means that comments go to a part of your blog that only you can see. You are the Admin of your blog and you can set it up to work the way you want it to.
- If you get vile and nasty comments. DO NOT RESPOND. Like literally, no matter how mean or callous or untruthful, do not give the troll or trolls any oxygen. Let the narcissists & flying monkeys vent their spleen. If you respond it will only spiral into even more ugliness.
- Read the comments, delete the comments.
- It sounds simple, but I know some of you will struggle. It is difficult to be the brunt of someone’s anger and hatred. However, keep in mind that it is their problem, not yours.
- You know your intrinsic worth as a human being, your loved ones know you and love you. Other people’s ridiculous opinions are simply that, ridiculous.
Some of the garbage comments that garbage humans have written to me:
Some of the stupid comments I have received literally make no sense whatsoever and do leave me a bit baffled and scratching my head.
I guess people just have too much time on their hands and look for someone who they think is an easy target and then get busy on their keyboards!
Below are a couple of examples and I easily debunk them and prove them for what they are – outright lies made by disturbed people.
There was a comment from a troll accusing me of having a “criminal record” (amongst many other weird & bizarre accusations). Seriously! No idea why or in what context they thought that made any gosh darned sense, maybe they think all Bloggers are sketchy? I don’t know. 🤷
But it is an outright falsehood and easily proven to be a lie (my friends & family were howling with laughter when I told them.)
I worked in education for over 20 years, and I have been a volunteer with a literacy program, a dementia facility and at childcare centres, primary (elementary) and high schools. My workplaces and volunteer organizations require what we call here in Australia a “National Police Clearance Check” – basically a criminal record check – mine is clear, as in, I do not have a criminal record and never have. I also have a Working with Children Card – which again requires a National Police check as I volunteer at schools with my therapy dog.
The comment went on to accuse my ex-husband as well – again no idea why such unhinged commentary was written. First up, I’ve been married twice. My first husband died in 1997 and he is not around to clear his good name, but I am in touch with his lovely sister and for sure she would be stunned at such rank & disturbing lies. My second husband and I are still friends, he is absolutely an upstanding citizen and would be very shocked to hear that he had been personally attacked. But no-one is safe from these lying scumbags.
Go figure!
But the thing with trolls is that they will tell (generally outrageous and laughable) lies. What their intention may be is unknowable, and I don’t waste any time trying to understand, you cannot fathom the irrational.
Another accusation from a nasty troll was that I “slept with a 20-year-old.” Ummm, that one literally had me rolling on the floor laughing🤣
I am 64 years old and as much as I may be in pretty good shape, I think it highly unlikely that a 20-year-old would be interested in me in that way! I guess I could find that accusation flattering? But again, I literally have no idea as to the purpose of such nonsense comments and I won’t waste my time trying to figure it out.
So, to the trolls and the keyboard warriors – jog on!
Therefore, be mindful that blogging is very much a rewarding activity, but there will always be trolls. Just ignore and keep writing, we need to hear your voice!
Image credit: Ravenwolf
blogbloggerbloggingkeyboard warriorsnarcissistnegative commentstoxic peopletrolls
