This morning I read a guestbook post signed Kasumi and quickly read through the linked blog posts before work. After work, I intended to read everything and write a response.
Unfortunately, the blog has now been deleted, but I still want to write a reply. I recognize myself so much, and I know that many others do as well.
In the guestbook post, Kasumi—who, like me, doesn't have English as their first language—writes, among other things:
"I decided to start my own blog here, too. I published three posts. I already felt like, maybe what I wrote was kind of stupid, maybe I should delete them, but I decided to keep them. I don't need to or want to be too polished, you know."
That's so honest, beautiful, and wise! I think most people can relate to that, not just when it comes to blogging.
We overthink our words, hesitate and hold back, and believe that others will scrutinize our texts with a magnifying glass. But that only happens in our heads. And if someone thinks we write sloppy, well, that's their problem, not ours.
It got me thinking of a song by the Swedish artist Tomas Andersson Wij. It's called "Oroshjärta" (Worrying Heart), and part of the lyrics, freely translated into English, reads:
You always think you did something wrong
And something terrible you said
But no one cares as much as you do
No one weighs all the words
And if someone were to do it anyway
Well, then, let that poor thing do it
True words!
I'm no expert on this, far from it. This blog is full of posts about how insecure I feel about blogging in English. I don't know how many times I've thought about giving up.
But somehow, the blog has survived (knock on wood). Thanks in large part to the wonderful community among bloggers, and thanks to the kind and encouraging comments from readers. You're all the best!
If you're reading this, Kasumi, go for it!
Start and abandon ten blogs if you need to. It doesn't matter. Write under a different name if that feels better. Don't include your posts in Bear's discovery feed if that makes it easier.
Experiment. Play. Have fun.
Write however you want about whatever you want.
So, Kasumi, if blogging is calling you again, answer. We look forward to read your thoughts.
Good luck!