Who I blog for
I read Sylvia’s lovely post Who I blog for, and I wanted to write my own view on it. It’s not that different from hers, actually, and I think that’s the case for many bloggers.
First and foremost, my blog is an outlet for my own thoughts and feelings. I’ve tried journaling in other ways, and sometimes still do, but blogging is what makes it consistent. I think it comes down to the feeling of creating something outside of my own safe space, even though no one might read it.
This is where the voice in my head kicks in:
“That’s enough, you blog for yourself. It doesn’t matter if others read it or not. You don’t need it.”
The soundtrack of my life. Maybe it’s the Scandinavian Law of Jante haunting me. I don’t know, but I do know that the voice isn’t quite telling the truth. I do want others to read my posts.
Not that I would stop writing if no one did (or is that also a lie, hmmm... maybe it is), but it’s a nice feeling knowing that at least someone felt something. A connection, a sense of community. Sometimes on the other side of the world, yet closer than the neighbor next door.
Quite a few of my posts are about blogging. I know, meta-blogging is the pineapple pizza of the blogosphere, but I happen to like it. Blogging is my number one hobby and I love seeing others getting into it. Every time I read a post like first blog I get all warm and fuzzy inside. Hopefully, some of my pizza slices make others start or stick with blogging.
A handful of my posts have touched on the subject of my constant doubts and history of generalized anxiety disorder (GAD). Hearing from readers who’ve found them helpful is what’s meant the most to me.
It took many, many years for me to dare to speak up about these issues, even to my closest friends and family. Writing about it in public would’ve been completely out of the question.
Now I’m able to do so. Learning that others felt connected and empowered through it is, to me, the most beautiful example of how wonderful and powerful the blogging community can be.