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Internet Trolls: My Annoying Co-Workers

Life, Mama

April 11, 2016

“You need a boob job.” Blanketed by the security of anonymity, Internet Trolls relish in polluting Blog comment feeds, Instagram photos, and Facbook statues with their nasty, spiteful comments. They are yesterday’s news and definitely nothing new.

Or so I thought. Until they happened to me.

I’ve been blessed by an extremely supportive group of friends and family, and have been humbled to witness that support extend to other mama bloggers who I haven’t even met. So, when I became the target of an Internet Troll, it caught me by surprise.

“You need a boob job.” That was it.

I was taken aback. And it stung, but only for about 5 minutes. Because, you see, THE JOKE WAS ON HER. What she didn’t know, was that I have had a boob job. And, after 2 years and upon realizing I hated them, I had them removed and returned to my “au naturel” state. It’s a very “been there, done that” situation for me.

It was then I realized the most important thing about these Trolls: THEY DO NOT KNOW ME.

There could not have been a better first nasty comment for me to receive. She clicked on a link, saw a picture of me, and assumed a whole lot. And her blatant ignorance was actually humorous. I didn’t let it continue to bother me. I went about my day.

Until the next Trolls hit.

Recently, I received 2 vile messages in the same day, both personally attacking me and aiming to hurt. Pretty damn ugly.

Now, I would be lying through my teeth to say their comments didn’t do just that. And for the rest of the day, I let them get to me. I let them take the wind out of my sails. Maybe I even started to believe them.

Until I remembered the lesson I had learned from that first Troll. These latest comments were just as much rooted in their insecurities as my first Troll remark. Because, THEY DO NOT KNOW ME.

I’ve decided to regard Internet Trolls a little bit differently now.

I think of them as an annoying co-worker. You know the one, right? The one who can ruin your day if you let her, but you sure as hell aren’t going to let her get in the way of a job you love. The one who is bitchy because you received a promotion, and she didn’t. The one who is unhappy on the inside, and everyone can see it.

Now, when those highly unpleasant Trolls pay me a visit, I pause for a second, hit delete and then go live my life.

Oh, and the good news? INTERNET TROLLS STILL COUNT AS TRAFFIC. Yay.

"What Susie says of Sally says more of Susie than of Sally"

(And, I don’t have to run in to them at the water cooler.)

Internet trolls: my annoying co-workers
  1. Christina says:

    Great outlook! I am totally adopting this! I have just started, and it hasn’t happened to me. I know it will, though. The internet is a tough place, and people feel like it’s a release for the pent-up anger that they can take out on total strangers. FYI, you are gorgeous. The boob lady was just jealous.

  2. Tomi R says:

    I agree with the above comment…the boob lady was just jealous! 🙂

  3. Kim Reed says:

    I don’t know why I get so upset about jerky people, but I do. I love your outlook too. I have awful coworkers once, and it made work miserable. Definitely do let these miserable people stop you from your work!!!

  4. Aunt Vickie says:

    You’re spot on, my dear niece. They don’t know you. Those of us who DO know you are extremely blessed. Love you! <3

  5. Great way of looking at it, way to go! Love the annoying co-working analogy, we all know them and you can either let them get to you or be above it. Ignoring is the only way to go!

  6. Crystal Cara says:

    Sorry to hear this even had to happen. You are do beautiful and thanks for sharing this side of you. I’m sure so many can relate.

  7. Diana says:

    Jealousy is the root of all evil

  8. Annie McGarr says:

    Ha! Good for you! Don’t let someone else makes you feel bad! I have yet to encounter it, but I hope that I will breathe and react with God’s grace!

  9. Well said and written. Love that you turned it around and made a positive message out of it. Thanks for sharing although unfortunate you attacked the situation so gracefully. xoxo

  10. This is wonderful!!! YES they still count as traffic! Sorry you had to deal with this mama & thanks for sharing! xx

  11. Willow says:

    Good for you for handling it so well! I have only had a couple of comments directed toward my recipes on my blog, and they were on Facebook. I ignore them and move on.

    • suzanne says:

      Thanks, Willow! I’m sorry you’ve encountered this, too. That’s definitely the best way to handle it!

  12. Yessss! I’m so happy you wrote this and responded to them. Good for you, mama! And well said, too!

  13. Ashley says:

    You have an awesome outlook. There is a special kind of place for people in this world who try to go out of their way to take the joy out of someone’s day or life. How sad of an existence is that! I’ve had a couple of rude comments along my way and I’m usually able to just let it roll off my back. Giving them the time of day just adds fuel to their sad fire.

  14. Joanna says:

    Such a good post! Trolls are the absolute worst… But, they are exactly that, TROLLS! Worthless and not worthy your time:)

  15. Morgan says:

    Well put, mama. People can be so ugly- but yay for the extra traffic!

    http://www.liliesandlambs.com

  16. You have the best outlook on this! The worst thing you can do is feed a troll too. Adopting this!

  17. You handle this so well! Thanks for helping the rest of us stand up tall. xoxo

  18. Starr says:

    Your approach to this is so inspiring! I love it! They DON’T know you…and obviously they’re the ones who are really missing out. Thank you for being a ray of sunshine!

  19. Sara Oberton says:

    Just like you said they’re bringing you traffic and raising your numbers! I think Internet trolls are just ugly hearted people sitting behind computers who probably could use their time volunteering or helping others instead of being nasty and ugly.

  20. Love your last line that “Internet trolls still count as traffic!” Just love that — and it’s true! It’s hard not to take things personally when these types of people make their mean comments, but like you say, it’s part of the job (annoying coworkers)!

  21. Oh my gosh Suzanne!!! How sucky!!! But my favorite part about your perspective – you celebrate that they still count as traffic haha, CHEERS TO THAT!!! You are beautiful, friend. Keep sharing your sparkle, because we LOVE you!!

  22. I just don’t understand trolls. Where do they find the time?

  23. Cara says:

    Love this and this is a great reminder! As unfortunate as it is there will always be people out there who want to stomp on others success and happiness and you simply have to learn to ignore it and remind yourself that in the end their unhappiness is their problem and not yours. & Seriously you’re like one of the prettiest gals out there, so these people are clearly crazy. 🙂

  24. Jenn says:

    I am obsessed with your blog, your style and your outlook! I appreciate your honesty and willingness to put it out there. Beautifully written. Lots of love to you!

  25. Nice post Suzanne, I agree with you!

  26. Cheryl Wyatt says:

    Hi Suzanne – Good for you! I am actually fairly amused at internet trolls – but was like you in the beginning. I look at it much like you now, traffic boosters! LOL! and a boob job? Yeah, cuz that’s what’s important in life – NOT. Ha. You are a beautiful woman (it sounds like both inside and out) – and a successful blogger who gets to stay at home with her kid! How wonderful is that??? I really love how women have more choices now with the internet and because of it can spend more time on what is important to them. I’m not a mommy (except to a puppy) but I love the stay-at-home life and working for MYSELF as a writer, which is all I ever wanted to do! Let the haters be jealous! Love your blog – keep up the good work! Hugs from a blogger-sister! -Cheryl (a.k.a CrazyDogMama)

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