Real examples of authenticity in personal blogging: 3 key examples that actually matter

Let’s skip theory and go straight to what you can see on the page.

Imagine two posts about burnout.

One says: “I’ve been busy lately, but staying positive! Here are my top 5 productivity hacks.”

The other starts with: “I stared at my laptop yesterday and cried for 20 minutes because I couldn’t answer one email.”

That second one is what readers recognize as real. When we talk about examples of authenticity in personal blogging: 3 key examples show up again and again:

• Owning the hard parts of your story instead of editing them away.
• Showing your process, not just your polished outcomes.
• Letting your actual voice—quirks, doubts, dark humor—onto the page.

From there, you can layer on other forms of honesty: about money, mental health, identity, work, and relationships. Let’s walk through specific, modern examples of authenticity in personal blogging, using real scenarios you can adapt to your own writing.

Example of emotional honesty: the grief post that doesn’t wrap up neatly

One of the clearest examples of authenticity in personal blogging is the grief post that refuses to end with a bow.

Picture a blogger who loses a parent unexpectedly. They could write a tidy tribute with a life lesson and an inspirational quote. Instead, they publish a post titled something like: “Three months after my dad died, I still can’t open his last text.”

In it, they:

• Admit they’re still angry at people who say, “Everything happens for a reason.”
• Share the irrational details—like how they keep their father’s number in their phone because deleting it feels like erasing him.
• Confess they thought grief would follow a neat five-stage model they read about on a National Cancer Institute page, but their reality looks nothing like that.

There’s no “and now I’m healed” moment. Just: “Today I managed to do laundry and answer two emails. That’s where I’m at.”

That’s an example of authenticity that readers share in group chats with, “This is exactly how it feels.” It’s not dramatic for clicks; it’s specific, grounded, and unfinished—because that’s what grief actually looks like.

Example of process transparency: showing the messy middle, not just the glow-up

Another one of the best examples of authenticity in personal blogging: 3 key examples always includes process transparency—showing the middle, not just the before-and-after.

Think of a blogger documenting a weight-loss or fitness journey. The Instagram version is all side-by-side photos and “You can do anything if you try!”

The authentic version looks different:

• They admit they read CDC guidelines and still struggled to follow them.
• They share the week they ate fast food four nights in a row because they were exhausted.
• They post their workout log, including the days marked “did nothing, watched Netflix, felt guilty.”

They also disclose context: access to safe places to exercise, time constraints, chronic pain. No pretending it’s just “mindset.”

This kind of post becomes a real example of authenticity in personal blogging because it respects the reader’s intelligence. It says, “Here’s what I’m trying, here’s what’s actually happening, and here’s what I still don’t know.”

Example of money honesty: talking numbers instead of vague “abundance”

Money is where a lot of personal blogs go vague. “I doubled my income!” “I hit six figures!” Okay, but what does that mean?

A powerful example of authenticity in personal blogging is the blogger who actually shares the numbers and trade-offs.

Picture a freelancer writing about their first year going full-time:

• They list their monthly income, month by month, including the months they made under $1,000.
• They talk about health insurance, citing how they navigated options on Healthcare.gov and how much they pay.
• They explain that their “six-figure year” was revenue, not take-home pay, and break down expenses.
• They admit they moved back in with family for six months to make it work.

Readers suddenly understand: oh, this is what that lifestyle actually costs. This kind of money post is one of the best real examples of authenticity in personal blogging because it cuts through aspirational fog and shows the math.

Example of mental health candor: beyond the awareness hashtag

Mental health content exploded during and after the pandemic, but not all of it is honest. The more meaningful examples of authenticity in personal blogging acknowledge both feelings and facts.

Think of a blogger writing about anxiety:

• They describe what a panic attack feels like for them in sensory detail: hands going numb, tunnel vision, the feeling that their chest is collapsing.
• They mention they finally talked to a therapist and learned the difference between everyday stress and an anxiety disorder, linking to NIMH for readers who want research-based information.
• They admit they tried “just meditating more” for a year before realizing they needed professional help.
• They’re careful not to glamorize suffering or offer medical advice, instead sharing, “Here’s what I did, here’s what I wish I’d done sooner.”

This is an example of authenticity that respects both personal story and scientific reality. It says, “My experience is real, and I’m also not the final authority. Here are places you can learn more.”

Example of identity and values: saying the unpopular thing

Some of the strongest examples of authenticity in personal blogging: 3 key examples revolve around identity, values, and the moment a blogger risks saying something that might cost them followers.

Picture a travel blogger who has built an audience on “quit your job and see the world.” Then they write a post called, “Why I Stopped Telling People to Travel Full-Time.”

In the post, they:

• Admit that full-time travel worsened their depression and made it hard to maintain relationships.
• Talk about the environmental impact of constant flights, referencing data from the EPA.
• Acknowledge their privilege—passport, savings, no caregiving responsibilities—that made their lifestyle possible.
• Share that they now rent a small apartment, have a therapist, and travel a few times a year instead of constantly.

This shift is a sharp example of authenticity in personal blogging because it challenges their own previous narrative. They’re not just evolving privately; they’re letting readers see the pivot.

Example of boundaries as authenticity: what you don’t share

Here’s a subtle but important example of authenticity people often miss: being honest about your boundaries.

Say a parenting blogger writes often about their kids, but one day publishes a post titled, “Why You Won’t See My Children’s Faces Here Anymore.”

They explain:

• They’ve been reading more about digital footprints and children’s privacy, maybe linking to research from a university or nonprofit.
• Their kids are getting older and have opinions about what’s posted.
• They’ll still share stories, but with changed names, no identifying details, and fewer real-time updates.

That post is authentic not because it shares more information, but because it shares the truth about limits. It’s a real example of authenticity in personal blogging that says, “I’m a person with values, not just a content machine.”

Example of creative process honesty: the writer who admits they hate writing (sometimes)

In the creativity world, one of my favorite real examples of authenticity in personal blogging is the writer who confesses they don’t wake up every morning “bursting with ideas.”

They might write a post like:

“I am a professional writer and I spent 45 minutes today rearranging apps on my phone to avoid starting this paragraph.”

In that post, they:

• Share screenshots of their messy drafts folder (with permission where needed).
• Talk about rejection emails, not just acceptances.
• Admit they sometimes copy-paste old work to feel like they’re doing something.
• Reference craft books or courses that helped them, maybe linking to a writing center at a university like Harvard’s Writing Center.

This is an example of authenticity in personal blogging that makes other creators exhale in relief. It fights the myth that “real writers love every minute.”

Pulling it together: examples of authenticity in personal blogging — 3 key examples you can actually use

If we zoom out across all these stories, the examples of authenticity in personal blogging: 3 key examples you can build into your own posts look like this:

First, emotional specificity.
Instead of “I was sad,” you write, “I lay on the kitchen floor at 2 a.m. because sitting up felt like too much.” That kind of detail turns abstract feelings into something readers can picture.

Second, contextual honesty.
You don’t just say “I paid off my debt!” You explain your salary range, side income, whether you had help, and how long it took. You acknowledge systemic factors, not just personal willpower. This is where those money, health, and travel posts become real examples of authenticity in personal blogging instead of humblebrags.

Third, visible evolution.
Authenticity isn’t just “I overshare everything.” It’s, “I’m willing to let you see me change my mind.” The travel blogger who stops glamorizing constant flights, the parent who changes how they write about their kids, the creator who moves from hustle culture to rest—these are dynamic, living examples of authenticity in personal blogging: 3 key examples in motion.

Around those three, you can layer other authentic moves: crediting your sources, admitting uncertainty, naming your biases, and being transparent about sponsorships or affiliate links.

How to create your own real examples of authenticity in personal blogging

If you want your own blog to belong in a list of the best real examples of authenticity in personal blogging, here are a few practical moves you can make in your next post:

Tell the story you’re tempted to skip.
If you’re writing about learning to run a 5K, include the part where you quit for three weeks. If you’re writing about starting a business, include the awkward first client call where you undercharged.

Add one uncomfortable detail.
Not something that violates your privacy—something that makes the story human. The text you didn’t answer. The job you secretly wanted and didn’t get. The way you felt when your friend succeeded before you.

Name your sources and doubts.
If you mention health, mental health, or big claims, link to something credible—like NIH or Mayo Clinic. Then say, “This is what I understood as of today; I may learn more.” That sentence alone is a quiet example of authenticity in personal blogging.

Be honest about who you’re not.
“I’m not a therapist, I’m just someone who’s been in therapy for eight years.” “I’m not a financial advisor; I’m a person who got out of credit card debt slowly and messily.” Readers trust you more when you don’t pretend to be everything.

When you stack these choices over months and years, your blog itself becomes one of those best examples of authenticity in personal blogging: 3 key examples and beyond—a place where people go not for perfect answers, but for honest company.

FAQ: examples of authenticity in personal blogging

Q: What are some simple examples of authenticity in personal blogging I can start with today?
A: Share a recent mistake and what you actually did next, not just the tidy lesson. Add a short note at the end of a post about what you’re still unsure about. Disclose when a product mention is sponsored or an affiliate link. These small moves are a practical example of authenticity that builds trust over time.

Q: Does being authentic mean I have to share everything about my life?
A: No. One of the most important examples of authenticity in personal blogging is setting and communicating boundaries. You can be honest about your experiences and feelings while still keeping certain topics—like your relationship details, your kids’ identities, or your workplace—off-limits.

Q: How do I avoid oversharing while still being real?
A: Write the full, unfiltered version first, then edit with two questions: “Is this my story to tell?” and “Will I regret having this online in five years?” What’s left is usually a cleaner, safer example of being honest without handing the internet your entire private life.

Q: Are there examples of authentic bloggers who still make money?
A: Absolutely. Many successful bloggers share specific income reports, explain sponsorships clearly, and talk openly about burnout and boundaries. Their transparency about money and workload is a strong example of authenticity in personal blogging that coexists with a sustainable business.

Q: How often should I share personal stories to stay authentic?
A: There’s no fixed schedule. Authenticity is less about frequency and more about how you show up when you do share. A monthly post with honest context, clear boundaries, and lived experience can be a better example of authenticity than daily posts packed with vague “life updates” that say nothing real.