The Blurred Lines Between Professional and Personal Writing

When work and life collide.

Image created via Midjourney

The other day, a writer asked on Threads, “Should I start a new blog to separate my personal writing from my professional content? Should I buy a new domain? WWYD?”

For years, I’ve drawn clear lines between different types of writing, publishing on several sites aimed at vastly different audiences. I felt like combining everything into a single publication wouldn’t serve the reader. What if someone came across my blog about freelance writing and then found posts about grief and loss? Or came looking for a tip about Zapier automation, only to find some quips about parenting?

Every week, I publish one article on my Substack, one or two blog posts, and a newsletter or tutorial (they rotate bi-weekly). I write on my personal blog whenever the spirit moves me, which has been a lot more lately after I learned that I have a brain tumor.

The lines between professional and personal writing have become much more blurred over the past few weeks. Because all facets of life are intertwined. Because it’s impossible to write on The Internet and not talk about the all-consuming presence of a brain tumor.

Still, the approach I take with each publication is different. Style, tone, how I want the reader to feel…