Blogger 101: Dealing with Haters

Source

Disclaimer: Before I start, let me make this clear: I don't have as many haters or online bullies (luckily) as others do. But I do have fair share of it and I think many of my fellow blogger friends and readers do as well. Hence, I decided to come up with this post as part of my Blogging 101 series to address the issue and for others to gain some perspective about it, especially those who are getting a great deal of hate and/or criticism online.

No matter what you do or how successful you are, there will always be people who will try to dis-credit you. In general, I am a fun-loving person (except for when my PMS strikes and I have major mood swings). I like to talk about things I love with people I equally love. This is the same reason why I think I have thrived in the blogging industry - I get a lot of support from fellow bloggers in the community and I try my best to share the same kind of love and support. You do not know the impact that a simple encouraging message can do to others - it can turn a bad day around!

Hence, I am still surprised when even major bloggers (I prefer not to disclose their names here) have their fair share of haters or trolls online. I know that there are also people who feel that way towards me. I won't deny it. And I acknowledge it! But when people go out of their way to ridicule or send hate messages, my initial reaction is "why?". Is the hate too big of a burden to bear that you really had to take time off of your day to say negative things about another? And if I may insist, negative things toward somebody you barely or have not even spoken a word to? What basis do they get their negative feelings from?

It's a sad fact, I know. But for us on the receiving end of these hateful acts, it is important to change our perspective. Instead of moping around and doubting yourself, why not think of these instead:

Source

Jealousy and/or envy can be highly toxic. When people see your success, jealousy can trigger them to act in a negative manner, i.e. leaving de-meaning or rude comments to try to dis-credit your success. Instead of allowing it to become a trigger point for self-doubt, try to understand their situation first and what had pushed them to act that way. Most of the haters or naysayers are jealous onlookers masking themselves to try and bring you down and feel better about their own lives. It is their only way to get ahead of you - so don't dignify their actions. 

Source

How can you complain when you get more traffic, right? It's like having your own set of loyal followers/readers. Thanks for the added stats! (insert wink here)

Source

I read once that you should not take it too personally when people who barely even know you make rude comment towards you. Whatever they say or do is a reflection of what's lacking in them. Another way to look at it is that you are already one or several steps ahead of them in life. If they are too busy trying to bring you or your dreams down, then they forget to chase their own dreams (if they have any at all). Just keep on dreaming. If you've already made this kind of impact on someone else's life, imagine what kind of impact you can do in your own life!

Most importantly, ask yourself this question: who is losing sleep at night? If the answer isn't you, then you have nothing to worry about.

How do you deal with haters? Have you ever had a situation before wherein you were so deeply impacted by online trolls/bullies?