The pitfalls of friendslists

[wiseheart]

Sometimes I wish I knew how to set up filters properly. There is stuff I would like to get off my chest sometimes but cannot, not even in a flocked entry, because some people would feel attacked and get all defensive or insulted or whatnot. Just recently, someone made a text comment that I felt hurtful but cannot talk about it because the person is on my flist, and I don't want to hurt them. It was a fairly innocent thing to say; it is not their fault that my interpretation of frienship is a bit peculiar and I was hurt.

Of course, I could make private entries to went a bit, or disable comments entirely, but then it wouldn't make much sense to have a journal in the first place right? I could return to the handwritten version and let all the hurts and neglects fester...

Comments

[elmey.livejournal.com]

It's difficult when you feel you have to watch your tongue constantly. My public posts are mostly innocuous, but I've set up filters for certain things. The main issue is remembering to apply them when I vent :)

I know it sounds complicated to set up filters, but it really isn't. All the steps are in the "Managing Your Custom Friends Groups" section:
http://www.livejournal.com/support/faq/102.html

If you want to try it, I could help you walk through the steps as you're doing it...

[wiseheart.livejournal.com]

I might give it a try. I rarely make any flocked post - the main goal of this journal is to communicate with people, after all - but I don't want people to feel offended. OTOH, I really need to whine sometimes, and having an audience, no matter how small a circle is it, helps.

[elmey.livejournal.com]

Well if you do need help, just shout. I have a "rant" filter :)