I have read many great blog posts recently, on all manner of topics, each one inspiring and interesting. Before Christmas I had so many ideas for posts, a list long enough to last a few months. A list that never made it onto paper. Now they are all gone along with my inspiration. I have read about writers block, I don't consider myself to be a writer particularly, but my words and ideas felt blocked.
When I started to write this post it made me think. What could be creating such a block. The more I thought about it the more I realised that it was something I was mulling over. It wasn't something that was occupying my mind constantly or keeping me awake at night but I did need to come to a decision. The answer was, of course, completely obvious and staring me in the face, but aren't they always. Once that was sorted the ideas came tumbling out like a river breaking through a dam, this time I have written them down.
I have read lots about journaling, I know that, for some, it can be really cathartic. I have to admit to being a little sceptical, but now I can see that it has its place. Blogging is my journaling, it collects my thoughts together, keeps me thinking and gives me a sense of perspective. It is just one of the many reasons that I love doing it.
What inspires you to blog?
Initially I started blogging to create a space to journal my mothering journey. Now it has become so much more than that. At times it is a place where I share the vulnerable parts of my life. At times it is a place I come to to just write, and share my thoughts. At times it is a place where I track the milestones and things I want to remember about my little man. And always it is a place where I find connection with like minded people, a community really, in which I feel both supported and inspired.
ReplyDeleteBlogging has given me so much more than I ever thought possible, and I am so happy I hit publish on that first post many years ago.
Have a lovely weekend. xo
Sometimes my inspiration comes from the most random places but generally it's about wanting to tell stories. I completely agree about writing things out helping to see the problem, sometimes I just have to put pen to paper and write whatever comes and then go back and see if there's anything there later!
ReplyDeleteFor me blogging is about my collection of thoughts, usually my snippets of happy bits. I also enjoy blogging for the connection with people from all over the world that you would never ever get to communicate with in real life.Glad you have found your blogging mojo.
ReplyDeleteIn a way it is a journal for me too. It's lovely to have the pictures to look back on through what has become a massive renovation project. But then I discovered that I enjoyed the process of writing in its own right. And still more important, the discovery of other blogs, the contacts made and the fun conversations that we have!
ReplyDeleteNature is a big inspiration - I love photographing it and sharing with others. Hopefully they'll be inspired to pause and appreciate the natural world in their part of the world too.
ReplyDeleteI started blogging when I first took on my allotment as a way to record everything I was doing there. It wasn't long before I wanted to blog about more than my allotment so I started another blog for everything else. Now I no longer have the allotment I've stopped writing that blog but I've continued with the other one as I enjoy recording what I've been doing, places I've been, family life etc. I do have a journal which I write but it's very hit and miss and I find I keep up with my blog much better than I do my journal, it's what works for me.
ReplyDeleteI started a blog as a way of recording those everyday bits and bobs which make up an ordinary life and which can all too easily be overlooked and forgotten. That's why I'm still writing posts after eight years. No writing schedule, no sponsors, no pressure, just whenever I want and about whatever I want. The bonus has been the unexpected connection with others doing something similar who, like yourself, take the time to read my bletherings and leave comments.
ReplyDeleteI love to make stuff and blogging enables me to share what I make. I relish being part of an online creative community. Reading other people's blogs and seeing what they have been upto inspires me to carry on with mine. I'm also a very visual person so love looking at everyones photos.
ReplyDeleteI honestly don't recall why I started blogging (almost 4 years ago now!). But I am so glad that I did.
ReplyDeleteI always think of my best blog posts in the chicken pen, for some reason :-) Or behind the camera.
Sarah x
I think that my inspiration comes from the photos I snap of our family life and I just have the urge to create words to go with them. I feel that for so many years the ordinary round of mundane life went unrecorded. People used to take photos on special occasions so that if an alien from outer space picked up a typical family photo album they would conclude that humans spent all of their time on holiday or blowing out birthday candles and opening Christmas presents. Of course, the daily round of unceasing domestic labour was completely absent and 'natural', unposed photos of children were rare. Nowadays it is all so different and whilst
ReplyDeleteand I want to be part of that xx
ReplyDeleteto be honest I was the kid that was always talking in class. I could talk forever and a day so blogging is a way for me to talk talk talk :)
ReplyDeleteI think, for me, there are quite a few different elements to it, definitely sharing and connecting with a lovely community of people, creating a personal record of sorts, and I think it also kind of holds me to account a bit at times, if I'm having a really busy, stressful time for any reason and not making any time for myself or doing anything 'creative' then it's there in the back of my mind prompting me to make time for it - of course that then often tends to be at the expense of sleep but you can't have everything!
ReplyDeleteGood question and I've loved reading everyone's comments. I could say ditto to all of them. I actually started as part of a work assignment to understand the tech side of it. Of course, I became hooked and carried on recording my craft makes and then family life until it became a personal and totally different project. Six years later, I'm still blogging. Now I blog so that I remember and also connect with people that I would never happen to meet otherwise. I love taking photos, so a post is often inspired by the latest photos on my memory card.
ReplyDeleteI started blogging as a way to record what was happening in my garden. Naturally it progressed to other areas of my life which to be honest I'm glad about. I enjoy looking back xx
ReplyDeleteI have been wondering on that question! I have been feeling taken over by work and considering why am I adding writing on the blog to my to do list. Enjoyed reading this post and the comments, as they make me consider my own intentions. Initially I meant it to be a place where I would share my ways in the simplicity/minimalism journey, but it evolved to becoming another way to journalling (I also do it the "old" way),but an ameliorated version of it, because of the thought, the editing, the questioning if I am making sense when writing a post makes it quite different from dumping nonsense thoughts into an empty sheet (also useful, but different).
ReplyDeleteWhen we moved here to the Borders, I met two women who blogged, and having read their blogs, I thought "I could do that" I have always been the family photographer, so it was a natural progression to move on to taking photos of my craft work and then the beautiful scenery. Then I added in some cooking, and the scones we share when we are out and about - and as long as I get positive comments, then those elements stay in. My blog tends to be my happy place, where the less welcome elements of my life can be left behind. Also, through blogging I have made some wonderful friends, most notably my mad quilting friends in Melbourne - they are real life, as well as online, friends
ReplyDeleteI started blogging to have a way to remind myself of the good, happy things in my life. I was going through a difficult period due to some choices being made by relatives and it was bringing me really low emotionally. I felt like I needed to boost my own mood and opinions by remembering that I make good choices and have a positive family situation, even if others do not. I feel for them, and wish I could help, but I can't, so I choose to concentrate on my own life and family instead. Blogging has evolved beyond that a bit for me, but it's still at the core of why I continue with it.
ReplyDeleteI write lists of ideas when I have lots of ideas and then when I am struggling I can at least look over the list and see if anything is appealing to me.
ReplyDeleteI have been blogging now for several years. I blog because it gives me something to focus on for myself really. I also love connecting with the many blogging friends I have made over this time :)