As part of last week’s giveaway, we asked you to tell us your favorite office supply in honor of Scissors, Paper, Mouse. Some of you are pen snobs (I am too). A few of you hoard binder clips. Others love note pads. (Don’t we all?) What’s me office weakness? I can’t resist cute magnets and/or push pins. Though I have no need for push pins. But they’re so cute.
These from Uncommon are adorable.
V and E would flip for this Angry Birds set by Klay Krafter.
Enough about my magnet obsession, how about we tell the winners? Random.org chose numbers 54, CP, 28, Cassie, and 98, Spereelan. Congratulations, ladies!
Today, Young House Love posted their thoughts on how to deal with negative comments. Fellow bloggers, you probably know how this feels. While 99% of the comments we receive are incredibly nice, somehow it’s much easier to let the negative comments get to you. I remember the first mean comment I received. And it did hurt my feelings. We’ve gotten a few more since then, but it’s getting easier to handle.
Anything house related, that is. When it comes to my kids, I’m a mama bear protecting my babies. Say what you want about our house. That’s what we blog about. Everyone has different taste and everyone is entitled to their opinion. Sure our kids make an appearance from time to time, but usually in a very limited setting.
All that to say, we appreciate your opinions, whether positive or negative. Please find a way to relate your criticism in a positive way and everyone will be happy. No hurt feelings. I’ve chosen to share our house, projects, and stories because we want to help and inspire others.
What are your thoughts on constructive feedback versus criticism?
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I think people are jealous simply put. And coddle that emotion by saying hurtful things.
There is HUGE difference b/t constructive critism and plain ‘ol critism intended to hurt. If one doesn’t know the difference then they weren’t brought up very well and if they do know the difference and chose to be mean and purposefully negative, then they’ve got bigger issues than what they’re really complaining about on a decorating blog. I’m mean really?
Well, sis, some people are jerks in real life, the internet is just a platform for the most insecure to make their incredibly weak voices “heard.” Or as Arik would simply say, “Yeah, people suck.” Wish those people paper cuts and poor service when they go out to restaurants.
first off i am so excited to have won- thank you!
second- LOVE those push pins- the first ones! 🙂
third- i have had negative comments and while they sting i always assume hat if someone has to leave a negative comment to make themselves feel better, then their live situation probably just stinks and i end up feeling sorry for them and not hurt. i mean really, if it’s so bad you have to leave some sad little anonymous comment, then i just feel sorry for you.
Usually if people say something kind of rude to me about not liking my decor choices, or whatever….I can see their point and try to think of it in a positive way. .
I say (often in job interviews lol) that I welcome constructive criticism but I really REALLY think it all depends on the person giving it. If they’re a expert in their field HELLS YEAH i want constructive criticism AND it also depends on how they deliver it. condescension – definitely a big no. Sadly I find a lot of blog comments tend to be extremely condescending, then they cry ‘its just constructive criticism’. Hm.
Last point (OK I’ve gone off on a tangent now!) If i don’t ask for it – I don’t want it lol.
OK NOW the last point… 😉 if they raise a good (well thought out) point, think about it but if you’d don’t like what they’ve suggested you’ve just got to put it down to everyone having a different opinion, nobody is wrong or right. *now i shall get off my high horse…* 😉
The problem with ‘constructive criticism’ is that people think they ARE being constructive, because they think something looks ugly, and they want us to fix it. They think they’re being constructive, because if we change it as they say, they think it will look better, and improve things.
But of course, while something might look ugly -to them- it takes no account of personal taste.
If I see something that’s not my thing, I just skip that post and look forward to the next one. I can’t see the point in telling someone you don’t like something in their home, because, well, I don’t live there.
But I do love to offer an opinion when asked, eg, should we paint this wall, or, do you prefer this layout or that. It’s also a nice way for the audience to engage with the writer.
There’s always a good vs. bad way to say things, that’s for sure. I don’t think people have the right to talk about how other people raise their kids though… that seems like it should be completely off limits in my mind.
Amanda, you took a big risk by putting your life out on the interwebs. You, and anyone else who has the guts to do that, should be applauded. Unfortunately, that leaves you vulnerable to A-holes who have nothing better to do but cut you down and try to ruin your day.
Remember this: Your almost-800 followers (and the probably hundreds more who keep up with the blog) love you. Your projects, your home, and your writing are inspiring to HUNDREDS, maybe THOUSANDS of people in this world. How cool is that?? Don’t let this so-called “constructive criticism” get you down.
You know when you get good feedback when the advice-giver would care enough to tell you what they think could use some improvement and then gives you suggestions as to how to do it. I’m not saying every single person will give you all the answers (or that you should always follow them), but I think that is key.
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