I published my first ever blog post in August of 2005. Eight years later, I'm still at it.
Last fall, I decided that I wanted to start fresh. I wanted a blank slate and I wanted to make a customized space that really felt like my own. This is the sixth or seventh blog that I have started, but it is the first one that feels right. It is the first one that feels like a true reflection of me (or at least my good parts).
I was aware of Typepad before I started using it because I already read a few blogs that used the Typepad platform. I shopped around a bit for a blogging platform and just kept coming back to Typepad. I am thankful that I did.
It has been a good fit for me and for Grace and Light. Grace and Light has become my virtual living room. I feel comfortable here. The design process wasn't easy-peasy, but it was straight forward and designing it myself made it mine.
Before Typepad, I had never paid hosting fees. I don't part easily with my dollars, but I really haven't minded spending money for the Typepad service. Knowing that I am putting money into this pursuit makes me accountable. It encourages me to write to the best of my abilities and encourages me to keep at it day in and day out. I think it was just the push that I needed to help me consider myself a "real" blogger.
Now that I am here, almost seven months into my "serious" blogging journey, I couldn't be happier. Blogging has changed my life.
Blogging pushes me to look for beauty in the moments of my life.
I find myself looking at life with an editor's eye. While this sometimes means that I turn a blind eye to (or at least omit from my blog posts) the less "pretty" bits of life, it also means that I am particularly sensitive to all of the wonderful blessings that surround me.
Blogging encourages me to be a self examiner.
It feels a bit like therapy (or what I imagine therapy would feel like). I write a lifestyle blog and that means that I get to dole out little pieces of my life on a daily basis. Every day I consider what to share.
What's better than big doses of self examination? Turning them into presentable pieces of writing. It is one thing to take time for reflection and quite another to put those reflections into words. It is a process that I am still learning, but I feel like it is taking me somewhere. Somewhere good.
Blogging motivates me to get things done.
The desire for valuable content encourages me to move forward in my various projects every single day. I am 100% positive that I have been more productive in the last seven months than ever before.
Blogging has opened me to sharing my heart.
I always want to write beautiful, well-written pieces, but posting something every weekday doesn't always make that possible. I may have a misspelling here or there (and I know that I use commas way more than I am supposed to), but I think that sharing my thoughts and writing what's in my heart is more important than a perfectly polished piece.
Blogging is a bridge to other people.
As I write, others read. There are days when I am scared to hit the "Publish" button. Often, though, those are the posts that bring the most commentary. It is good to know that I am not alone in my thoughts. I am only seven months into this project, but already I love the people that I have met through Grace and Light and I love that this space has helped me to have deeper conversations with friends and family, too.
Today and every day, I am thankful for my blog.
No comments:
Post a Comment