Hi Ms. T,
I'm glad you describe the distinction between bringing one's whole self and sharing one's whole self. This is an issue that comes up in religious leadership as well. For example, when a person is trying to decide whether and how to provide personal details in a sermon.
Yes, God, haven't we all heard a sermon with a cringe-worthy detail? That's a really good example.
If people have other oversharing examples, I'll make a list.
Thanks for this reminder! I'm so guilty of oversharing, but shall, henceforth, bring my whole self, but not share it.
Or, perhaps we read to much into a quick short email response from another person. I don't think the person who responded you to thought the car accident was an "ISSUE," like an emotional or personal problem. It was rather "the reason" for your work to be late.
Often, emails, forums posts, etc are mis-interpreted because the majority of people can not write as well as they can speak (nor do they read entire responses--but rather skim them). This leads to minor things being blown out of proportion all the time.
While you can call it an "excuse," and I understand that, I can also call your excuse your issues, in a very general sense of the word issue. I can see a person thinking issue is nicer than saying "sorry about your problems."
Just remember, most people are not trying to be malicious or send hidden meaning in messages. They are just responding quickly. When I read the response I did not think there was an implication that you are strange, have problems, or have issues in a negative way. It is simply saying "sorry for your trouble / problem / issues" in a general sense, while remaining detatched from emotionally committing to the person (which is how I work with consultants myself, since once you become emotionally attached, it is much more difficult to be critical of work, or to let the person go if you are not happy with their work).
I agree with all this and I have had disastrous results from over sharing, but what about being who you are and not calculating everything. See, the Pollyanna is coming out now... I just hate that I have to over think everything. My daughter said it best, "we expect there to be a girl power moment not a power position." Isn't there a way to teach Women Haters to not USE information and to actually bond?
I fear I'm the opposite of a Pollyanna, Jacqueline. 
I'm not sure that you need to overthink as much honor your gut instinct as an internal barometer.
Keep in mind I'm not suggesting changing who you are. You get to keep all of that. I just don't think that everyone deserves to see all that you are at work. I'm much more concerned about you protecting yourself.
GGH, I don't think I was self-protective enough, and think the car accident was not really any of his business. I don't think this is his fault, or really mine, but it's an example of how you can mediate how much you share.
If you did not find the response about issues malicous--what made you feel that you over-shared?
Your reaction was written as a response to the email you recieved. I read your post as the word "issues" set-off some alarm that you may have shared to much.
I would have more problems with a consultant who told me the work would be late, than a consultant who told me they had a car accident and would need an extra day for the work due to lost time.
I'm with GhostGirl all the way on this.
Which is probably a bad sign for her. But still.
sorry. I mean him. GhostGirl HUB
See now I'm in double jeopardy. Not only do I regret telling the client about the accident, I regret sharing it here! I really don't want this dissected. It's not the best example of oversharing because it's subtle, personal, and recent.
And I didn't share the full email because I'm not at liberty to do so, but I think y'all can trust me on my assessment and general feeling that I shouldn't have shared the information. Just take my word for it. Please.
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