What’s in a name?
(this is in regards to my website name, not my lj name!)
The trouble with my online name is that every few years, I feel as if I have outgrown it….or that it no longer fits. I feel like I’ve been using Devilish Southern Belle way past its expiration date, but haven’t really figured out how to let it go, either. I have now spent years using Devilish Southern Belle or some variety of it on just about every social networking site I’m on, in addition to writing this blog under that name. I have business dealings with this blog name. Every time I shake things up to that degree around here, I lose readers. Even if I were to ditch this name, I can’t think of a single thing to replace the it with. Even if I did, what if (as has been my experience in the past and is my experience now) THAT name doesn’t fit a year or two from now?
I originally came up with the name for this site because of my obsession with cartoon devils, especially of the A.V. Phibes variety. Before I started making my own graphics, I even used a few of her girls in my designs. I was also at a point in my life where I was ready to take the bull by the horns and make some really good, important life changes. It seemed to fit with my attitude, with where I was in the grand scheme of things, and the direction in which I wanted to continue moving. Then? My life kind of fell apart.
A lot of bad AND a lot of good came out of that, but I have not been the same since. Not by a long shot. I was never very confident to begin with, but I was finally happy-ish, and getting there. Now, I no longer resemble that person. I’ve long fought with the need to create a private blog, just so I can say some of the things that I’m not comfortable saying here publicly. But I figured that would be counterproductive, as I would have to notify people and then they might not read it, because let’s face it…..who wants to listen to someone only bitch or whine? And that is exactly what it would be, since I am apparently not articulate enough to express my feelings of anger or sadness without coming across as one or the other. Then, since I am overly emotional, I’d take it personally when no one wanted to have anything to do with it. Besides, I am trying to improve my life, and I can’t really do that if I am wallowing or dwelling. I want to hopefully learn from any negativity and move on, not stay stuck worrying about it for so long that it becomes a way of life. Of course I’d like to vent about a lot of things and can’t really do that here, but perhaps that is for the best as well.
Still, I have thought of changing the blog name just to try to get some of the old enjoyment I got from blogging and connecting with people. Or maybe it’s me, and not the name. Who knows? I do have another few months to consider it all.
Originally published at devilishsouthernbelle.net. You can comment here or there.