*Sits up straight, adjusts glasses, cracks knuckles….*
Let us commence.
Dear Rebel Wilson,
A few years ago I was in New York City where I was attending the world’s largest social media conference for women. There were literally thousands of bloggers there from all over the world. The thing about bloggers is that generally speaking, they are a super social bunch of people which is great at conferences, as you tend to get one’s life story over the lunch breaks. And if there is one thing I really like, it is hearing other people’s stories.
After a few days, I noticed something about Americans. They were fantastic at self promotion. I would be chatting away to a blogger, who would tell me about their work, their blog, how hard they work at it and all types of stuff. So I would be thinking “I am in the presence of greatness here!” and being keen to learn, I would quiz them about their blogging, and they were super happy to disclose all of their practices. Later, I would fish out their card and look them up on-line, only to in many cases, see that they have published 12 posts, have 8 followers on Facebook and that is about it.
I pushed aside my intrinsic, ingrained Australian thinking, that being “Well, you are a bit up yourself love…” and started to see the merit in their self-confidence. I mean, if you don’t believe in yourself, how the hell are you going to expect others to?
We, as a nation, are infamous for our tall poppy syndrome which can be described as “a social phenomenon in which people of genuine merit are resented, attacked, cut down, or criticised because their talents or achievements elevate them above or distinguish them from their peers.”
In other words, we are jealous bastards. We like to be proud of public talent, just as long as they toe the line that we set. And it is bullshit.
Rebel, you have talent and have achieved much in your 29 or 36 or 100 years that you have walked the earth. Take no shit from the large “women’s sites” that hug and celebrate you one day, and knock you down the next. Fuck them. Continue to push all those boundaries and break all the rules. You don’t have to answer to anyone.
You are walking the walk, you are talking the talk and I wish nothing but the very best for you.
And I know others reading along here do too.
Lots of Love,
Mrs Woog
(A blogger)
This article was originally published on Woog’s World. The original version can be accessed here.