I have apparently thought something about my mundane life was worth sharing with the universe exactly 1499 other times. And I do so again today.
This post feels kind of momentous; it feels like I should honor it with something special, something more than just "I had Fruit Loops for breakfast; well, actually they weren't Fruit Loops, they were Fruity Hoops, because I buy the store brands."
What I've decided on is a spin off from the most ridiculous thing I've ever seen (in the past three days), the question "Will Googling Google break the internet?" and it was asked like a real question. The short answer - No. The long answer - No, that is stupid. Anyway, so spinning off from that, I'm posting
Will blogging about blogging break the internet?
I'm going to answer the question that is on SO MANY OF YOUR MINDS (I know this because I'm magic) -- Why do I blog?
I've been blogging for ten years now. I've obviously felt for ten years that what I have to say is worth not only journaling, but publicly journaling, and that someone somewhere might possibly find my thoughts amusing or useful. Whether I wrote a blog to keep my family updated on my life abroad, or whether I was directing my writings as others with the same interests as me at varying times (motherhood, marriage, theology, sewing), I was always writing with the expectation that it was going to be read by someone.
For some reason, I still clicked publish, knowing someone was going to read my innermost thoughts.
Why do I blog?
I blog, I think, for four reasons:
1. I need to write in order to work out my own feelings. I often can't categorize or rationalize my thoughts without putting them to paper. Sometimes it's as simple as writing out a grocery list so I can remember what to buy; sometimes it's figuring out what I believe about spirituality, religion, or atheism. The act of writing helps me frame and outline my thoughts, and then if necessary, to expound upon each idea. I feel confused and disoriented if I haven't written anything (even a blog post) in a while. I need it.
2. I need to feel like I'm not alone. This is why I don't simply write out my thoughts in a private journal. Maybe in selfish way, I need them validated. I need to know that I'm not the only one who thinks like this, or who struggles like this. I write so that I know I'm not alone. If I am brave enough to put my thoughts and feelings out there, I might be rewarded with a connection to someone else I'd have otherwise not known was like me in whatever way. This is also why I read.
3. I want others to know they are not alone. After I've worked through the ideas or emotions that have been swimming around in my brain, I want to share what I've come up with with others. I want to have done the hard work for someone who is thinking amorphously about the same things but hasn't been able to solidify it herself. I want to give a voice to someone who hasn't been able to verbalize it himself. I want those who have been holding secrets in their hearts to know there is someone else out there with the same secrets. It takes a lot of courage sometimes, and there are still things I haven't yet the courage to say. But you are not alone; I am not alone. This is something that matters to me.
4. I enjoy it! That's it. I just really love writing. Whether it's a poem, a short story, a novel or just a simple quick blog post, I love writing. And I love others to read my writing. It's admittedly a completely narcissistic thing to do, writing for public consumption, yet I can't lie and say it doesn't excite me. Seeing my page views on a popular post thrills me. Comments thrill me too. I write, because it's fun and, oh what the hell, I love attention. No sense in lying, especially when every other blogger reading this will have to admit to some degree of loving it too! It's not the same kind of attention I craved in school when I wanted to be popular, though. It's more like desiring respect, a little nod, some credibility, and a group of faithful readers who consistently come back to read my lackluster words each time I publish. It's a great feeling!
So on this most momentous of blog posts, I give you the answer to life's most pressing question: Will blogging about blogging break the internet?
The answer is still no.
I am really enjoying getting to know you. Loving your blog posts
ReplyDeleteIt's funny. I found your blog years ago when The Happy Husband was blogging and he invited people to share the story of how they met their spouse. He published yours with the exhortation: "This is long, but it's so well written, you won't even notice." Okay, I probably didn't quote that verbatim, but it's the gist.
ReplyDeleteI've followed you off and on, but I found it really interesting that you and I both went through the process of moving at the same time. It was interesting to read about how you handled the process of moving. I admired you very much; I did not divest myself of nearly what you did, and it was hard to imagine the feelings you must have had, of both loss and a fresh start, all at the same time. I wished I were as brave. The photo of your suitcases at the airport is burned in my mind.
When I "met" you, you lived in Scotland and I lived in New York. Now we have only Missouri between us. I think that's pretty funny, actually.
I wish The Happy Husband was still blogging. I often wonder if he's still a happy husband or if somewhere down the road became the happy or unhappy ex-husband...
ReplyDeleteYes. He was a good writer.
ReplyDelete