September 16th, 2009
Why Write a Personal Blog
I started blogging a couple of years ago. I didn’t do it for fame. I just needed an outlet for writing. I used to write for newspapers and was lucky enough to have a few articles published in magazines. That was when I had six kids at home along with a dog, two cats and numerous rabbits. There was always something to write about. I was a stay at home mom up to my ears in laundry and daily crisis. I shared my life with others in my weekly columns and was always amazed that people actually enjoyed hearing about my life. Then my kids grew up, I divorced and I stopped writing. I remarried and let the writing part of my life slip away. Strange as it sounds it was my second husband (ouch) that nagged me to start writing again. That’s when blogging came into my life.
I started with the Google blogs and kept it up for awhile. Actually I wrote quite a bit and it felt good knowing that any talent I used to have ,although a bit rusty, was still there. I stopped when I went through a second divorce (ouch ouch). An emotional mess with the knowledge that the man I considered my most trusted best friend in the world had betrayed me I deleted my blog and again let my passion to write slip away. Last year my oldest son was the one to encourage me to write. At this point I’ve only allowed a few to read my fractured thoughts. Writing a personal blog is sometimes too personal. When I started this blog I was hesitant to share my life. It’s scarey to pour your thoughts and heart out on paper all the while wondering what others will think. My first entry took me weeks to write. I wrote and deleted a dozen times. I’d write an entry then before I posted it read it and cringe at the thought of sharing it with family, friends, the world. I don’t remember exactly when I decided that I didn’t care about what others would think. I was tired of worrying about other people. Now, when I write, it’s an extremely liberating feeling…powerful. Do I care who reads it? Yes and no. There are some things I would prefer my children not know…that I’m human? Made mistakes? But for the most part I write for me. It makes me feel good. True, I’m still a bit timid about sharing some things, but I’m getting braver. Some friends have been blogging and have shared their sites with me. I love reading their blogs! I laugh and cry with them. I’m seeing the inside of their lives not just the outside and I feel closer to them. True, blogging is not for everyone. It’s a tough choice to air your crazy thoughts and dirty laundry with friends let alone complete strangers. It’s like finding someones personal diary and hiding away to read their most intimate thoughts. I’m thankful that people are willing to share and soon I’ll do the same…