Wednesday, September 5, 2007

Why Do I Blog?

On August 24, 2007, Rory at CleanCutBlog asked the question, "Why Do You Blog?" You will find Rory's article at http://cleancutblog.com/really-answering-the-question-why-do-you-blog-might-put-a-match-to-it/. My answer to Rory's question is as follows:

"I blog to make sense of my life. That is what is behind my first thought of blogging to help others. Maybe, just a little bit, I like the sound of my own voice. Boy, does that sound like I have a big ego? I hope that I have a healthy ego, not an overbearing one. Gosh, you sure got me to thinking with this article."

Rory then replied that he would be interested in hearing how my line of thinking progresses. Well, here it is.

"Why do I blog?" is slightly different than "Why do I write?", but there are also similarities.
Writing could be on a much smaller scale where I write strictly for myself or to share my thoughts with a few friends.

Blogging is writing on a grander scale. Blogging puts my writing out there for the world to see. I would be lying if I said my ego doesn't get a thrill out of that idea. Does that make it any more right that I should blog? Not at all. It just says that a part of me likes the recognition. Does that take away from the fact that I blog so that maybe others can benefit from my experiences? Not at all. Does it make me a bad person for wanting recognition? No, it makes me human.

I have always written down my thoughts in an effort to understand my own thought processess. I have always written as a form of self-therapy. If I can "see" my thoughts in writing, maybe I can better understand myself. Maybe others can understand me better by reading my words. Don't most of us just want to be understood?

I, sometimes, write out my anger at myself or my husband or the world. Sometimes, I write about being hurt, or being sad. Sometimes, I just write to say, "I don't understand." Less often, I write out of despair and loneliness.

Do you know what it feels like to be surrounded by people and feel that you are totally alone? I do.

Do you know what it feels like to be so full of joy that crying is the only possible way to express yourself? I do.

Do you know what it feels like to be so full of rage that you are afraid you could hurt someone? I do.

At different stages of my life, I have written about all of those feelings. Now if I feel those things, you will read about them on my blog. My blog, now, as my writing has always been, is a barometer of where I am on this Spiritual Journey that is my life.


Back on August 3, 2007, Geoff at Tapping Creativity found at http://tappingcreativity.blogspot.com/2007/08/contest-why-do-you-write.html asked, "Why Do You Write? My answer to that question was a little different than to Rory's question of why do I blog.

"I write because I have no choice. The words come and have to be put down on paper. I have written since I was a child afraid that someone would find what I had written and know my secrets so as a child I wrote about things of no importance to anyone. Today I have no secrets. Today I write about the important things or at least what's important to me. I write because maybe I can, through the sharing of my experiences, help someone else out of their pain sooner than I was able to come out of mine. I write because I am inspired by people like you. I write because I am inspired by the struggle of other survivors."

Check out Geoff's site to find out why others write.
So here are my questions to you.

"Why Do You Write?"

"Why Do You Blog?









14 comments:

Anonymous said...

Wow Patricia, it's a thought provoking post. Love the bit about your ego!! I think it's good to have some confidence in your writing!

Maybe lots of people are similiar to you, I guess I am. Personally, I blog just to get my ideas written down and hope that by doing that I can help some other people as well. I write, because I find it calming and creative.

Patricia Singleton said...

MDB, thanks. I am glad I gave you something to think about. That is exactly what those 2 blogs---Tapping Creativity and Clean Cut Blog did for me.

Anonymous said...

Interesting thought provoking post... Hmmm... I never thought in a million years that I would be writitng, blogging or even enjoying it at that...

I, like others, feel I have some things to say. There are many reasons way I blog.

Writing is an expressive way to communicate when verbal passage is not available.

Sometimes it feels good to put your thoughts out there knowing others can relate, and me in return. What good are thoughts if they are kept bottled up in the mind right... :)

Have a great day! and Happy Blogging!

Patricia Singleton said...

Lucid, thanks for sharing your thoughts. For me, writing has always been a way of life.

Soul Dancer said...

wow - a very interesting question. As I am new to blogging, I haven't quite thought bout the difference, bc I have just been SO happy to be writing again. But there is a difference. Thanks for giving something to ponder. And your comment on my post about weight.....rings very true. I appreciate your honesty. I am actually headed out now to take a pilates class!!! Thank you for making me smile at the end of a rough day.

SoulDancer

Patricia Singleton said...

Soul Dancer, Glad I could make you smile. Pass it on to someone else that might need a smile or a hug.

Anonymous said...

After Priscilla Palmer's self development list my friend Jenny and I have decided to try to help build the self development community as well with a little contest. I would like to invite you to find out more details at Win a $25 Gift Certificate.

Patricia Singleton said...

Erin and Jenny, I am honored that you asked me and I am getting ready to go to India soon so I don't know if I will have the time. I published it for any of my readers who may be interested in submitting their own articles.

Anonymous said...

I appreciate the link to CCB, Patricia. Sorry to be late on the uptake.

So a further layer might be, why does one want recognition? Is it connected to wanting to be understood? It still doesn't really answer the question, "Why...?"

Wishing you well on your trip to India.

Patricia Singleton said...

Rory, thanks. I am looking forward to my trip. Maybe in the future I can delve more into the topic.

Unknown said...

These are great questions! I write because it makes me feel as if I am sweeping under a rug, coaxing out all the fragments and notions that collect in my mind so I can turn them into something creative and aesthetic. For me, blogging is taking what I found under the rug and putting it on the window sill for passersby to experience and (hopefully) be inspired by. Thanks for asking and have a great day!

Patricia Singleton said...

Larissa, what a great answer. Thanks for sharing.

DubLiMan said...

On topic....
I come prepared. I personally think that it totally depends on the individual. I have identified the following reasons that people blog:
1. Blogging is their life; without it they would not have a way to validate themselves (I told you this would be tough).
2. Altruistic - a way to disseminate valuable information (valuable in the mind of the blogger. Whether it is actually valuable has no real bearing for this discussion) that needs to be put out their.
3. A way to make money.
4. Cathartic - the need to share experiences. This may have a close
connection with #1.

I believe that everyone falls somewhere in this mix.


Off topic..........
I believe that by just being a part of “Priscilla Palmer’s Personal Development list” suggests that each of us post this list. You like me (Killeris at “Attitude, the Ultimate Power”) are on this list. If you have already posted it, THANK YOU. If you have not posted it, I am officially putting out a challenge that you add additional sites that fit the theme and post the entire list. This is my opinion only. If you disagree I respectfully understand. If you do agree with me this list can be found at: http://mondaymorningpower.blogspot.com/2007/09/personal-development-list-challenge.html

Patricia Singleton said...

Monday Morning Power, thanks for commenting on this article and adding your list. I could be accused of #2 & #4.

As for Priscilla Palmer's Personal Development List, yes, my blog was submitted to the list. Yes, I have done an article adding my own list of names to Priscilla's list and I linked the article back to your list. I did not include the entire list in my article because the last time that I checked Priscilla's list, it was still growing and changing and I did not want to leave anybody out.

I intend to visit each site listed on Priscilla's list. I am just on the "E's". Life has gotten in the way lately so my time on the computer has been less. Thanks for leaving your comments.