why i blog

in a recent email, i told a friend to start a blog so i could see what she's up to. she wrote back the following questions: "tell be about blogging. they're fun to read... how much time do you spend on yours? why do you spend time on yours? is it a form of journaling, in that it helps keep one's perspective straight?" yes, but even more. i really don't spend a ton of time. i typically update late at night before bed with whatever has been in my thoughts that day. it takes about 15 minutes. however, the picture taking/ crafting/ planning i do is my whole day, part of my life. this is just the place i spit that out at night so i can sleep. but there is so much more to this crazy blogging thing. it has been an incredible blessing in my life. those questions prompted me to articulate it- here are some of the many reasons i blog:

• creativity. i have never met a creative outlet i didn't like. writing and picture taking are probably my two favorite things to do in the world. i feel like i have my own little magazine to style everyday; it makes me incredibly happy to have a place to get that out of my head.
• writing. i have been an avid journal keeper all my life, but i find i write a particular way in my journals- the kind of things i put down are things of great significance to my life's journey. i don't always take time to record the simple or mundane or amusing. this is the place i can express my thoughts on things trivial (and yes, sometimes beyond). i can talk about cupcakes or trees or fabric endlessly. and really that is as much a part of who i am as the prayers answered, life lessons, and impressions i often record in my journal.
• relationships. i hate the phone. a lot. this here blog relieves all guilt i have at not being better at keeping in touch. you want to know what's going on? look at my blog. then i will look at yours, we can comment and feel connected. i know, it's so modern and disgusting but that's the world we're living in people.
• money. this blog is vital to my "business" of selling my handmade goods and photo sessions. really, it's a job for me- a job i love with all of my heart.
• support. there have been many many times (posts) when i needed a pick me up, some advice, friendship, answers, etc. and so many people were there for me. i think that's amazing. that women i wouldn't otherwise have had the oppurtunity to meet in my life have become treasured friends through technology. it makes me feel loved, validated, supported. (i love technology, always and forever).
• inspiration. conversly, i am led to other blogs through your comments and sidebars of women who are worthy of emulation. i love to read inspiring, positive, beautiful blogs. when i feel no motivation sometimes seeing what others are doing helps me to pull out of the slumps. it fascinates me how different we all are and it fosters humility in me.
• memory keeping. it's amazing how i've already forgotten what life was like a year ago, but here i have a month by month account of our life. i am going to have each year made into a book using blurb as part of my scrapbooks. this blog is quite literally a record of my life.
• fun. it's really fun.

what are your thoughts on blogging? why do you do it/ not do it? what have you learned about yourself from blogging? has it been a blessing or curse in your life? how much time do you spend?

Comments

[Alicia]

I read this and then went off on my merry way but was drawn back to comment. I started my blog as a way that my family and my inlaws could watch our little boy grow (since we don't live nearby). It has become that and so much more. I am amazed at all the LONG LOST friends I have found through my blog. Old roommates, friends from college, friends growing up--have all found my blog through others and it is amazing. People that I never thought I would ever hear from again are now back in my life and I love it. So is blogging worth one's time--DEFINITELY! :)

[Sara Horrocks]

I blog for about 15 minutes every two or three days. I love it. And I do it because I really like to get attention... so it forces me to journal/post pictures about our lives because no one will leave comments on my blog if I don't. It's like forced journaling because I'm getting the temporal gratification that I so badly need and my kids will be able to look back about their lives and pictures that go along with them. I'm going to have my blog made into a book also. :)

[alexandra]

I have debated and debated and have finally decided to start my own blog this month. I have a question about typepad... maybe you could help me... which package do you have??? Can't decide if I should get the basic one ($50/yr) or one level up ($90/yr). It's all new to me so I really don't know which to choose. Help!!

[Amy McClary]

I love reading blogs and I thank you for that. Your is the very first one I ever read - true story! So with such inspiration I have started to set up one of my own. For the fun of it. So that my mom can keep tabs on me :)

[Amie]

I'm so glad you posted this, because some people really slam bloggers for 'putting their life out there' so to speak. I love it for all the same reasons you do, plus its' so much easier than emailing all my friends and relatives about the latest in our lives. Wanna know what's going on? Go check my blog. Lately I've been questioning why I do this and how much I really should put out there. To heck with them. ;)

[k.m.]

i use the lowest plan typepad has, i pay $4.95 a month. i can't have my own banner and i have to use one of their templates, but i don't mind that. i need typepad over free blogspot because of the ability to do photo albums on the side bar that i use for a lot of things. also your stats and referals are part of your basic account. i love typepad.

[Jaime]

I blog BECAUSE I've never journaled. I always kind of regretted not journaling because like you said, I can't remember things that happened just a few months ago. So my blog is something I know I'll be stoked to look back on later. Plus pictures are way funner to look at than just plain words on a page ;) I like your book idea & might have to do that someday too. AND like you said, blogging is a great way to keep in touch & stay connected with friends and family who tell me they read it all the time. Now if I could only get them to creat their own blogs and to interact/ leave comments like all of your readers do. I also share your opinion about the phone. Hate it. I'm perfectly fine letting people know what's going on with me through my blog and e-mails.

[kristen]

i started blogging as a way to show my family what goes on in our daily routine and so they could see pictures of the kids; since we only get to visit once or twice a year.

It has definetely morphed into something bigger than that. It's a way to communicate when I feel shut in. It's another way to be creative when my projects are sucking. It's a great way to see what other people are learning and doing - I spend way too much time on that!

[Trace]

"Yes, I love technology...but NOT as much as you you see...but STILL I love technology...always and forever...always and forever"

[Trace]

Oh, so in regards to that "why people blog" stuff... Kel knows she started me and plenty of others blogging (probably more than she can guess), but it's PERFECT for a military family. How cool is it for my hard-working soldier husband to be able to click on my blog site and see new pictures of his daughter and check out what his family has been up to every other day? It's BRILLIANT I tell you (thank you so much Kelly for the idea--it's made this year so much more pleasant and helps me stay less "stressed" about him for some reason)

[ash]

I love all your reasons! It's fun to look back and see the way life has changed for our family and everyone else. And it really is so much fun!

[ashley]

well kelly, since you ask, i think one of the main reasons i got into blogging was because of your blog. i loved looking at it, admiring your creativity, and just how funny/cool you really are. upon de-lurking one day, you said i should start one, and i did, and now i am in love.
so i guess it's your fault that i have an internet addiction that i must feed each day. but i am so glad that i blog. thanks kell!

[Shawn]

You articulated all the best reasons so perfectly. (love the little cartoon too. LOL) I love blogging and the whole blog community so much I've made it into a little business of designing and helping to set up blogs for others.

I can't remember how I stumbled across your blog but I've been a long-time lurker. Thanks for sharing your thoughts on this. Now when people ask why I blog or why they should I'm just going to link them to this post. :)

[alexandra]

Thanks for the typepad info, Kelly.
I can see how the photo albums on the side bar are important and that the personalized banner really isn't essential -the photos that pop up are what gives everything colour and appeal - not necessarily the banner.
Thanks again - you rock!!

[Julie S]

i too, was inspired to blog after long resisting, because i looked at your blog one day (the cupcake day). thank you, thank you. now my goal is to someday make it onto your list of 'blogs that inspire' :)

heartsfullofjoy.typepad.com

[Ashley]

I love blogging because it has been an outlet for me and I love to write about the daily stuff in my life. I also love the memory keeping aspect and the inspiration I get from blogging. I love that it is my own and I can be as creative (or not) as I want. I wish I knew more people personally who blog. Thanks for writing this post! I love your blog!

[Beth]

This has nothing to do with why I blog, just wanted to say--look at the weather!! So glad we did the pictures yesterday! I'm so excited to see them-thanks so much!

[sandy w.]

such great reasons to blog. i just started one this month for pretty much the same reasons. tfs!

[Katie]

I answered. Thanks for this prompt.

[Kara Jayne]

I'm with you on the phone thing. I hate the phone. I find I keep in touch better with those who communicate the same way I do (email, blog, etc.) I agree it seems impersonal, but that's the way it is.

I wish I were as creative as you, and able to express myself as well as you seem to, but most of all I wanted some sort of documentation of my life and the life of my family. See, I hate scrapbooking, and my journaling has been non-existent since college.

Thanks for all the great inspiration, and motivation that you give to me regularly. You make me actually want to move back to Utah sometimes! Yikes.

[amanda jane]

Thank you for posting the link to get these published! I began blogging for my daughters - I am a very lame record keeper and they deserve a record of their lives. So I figured why not? Now I can publish it for them to see any time they feel like. I am over JOYED!!! I am now feeling inspired, better jump on that quick.

[carin]

LOVE, LOVE, LOVE your blog...just discovered it along with a kindred spirit. hmmm...why do I blog...I blog for posterity. I blog for me. kind of makes me feel, I don't know...published, I guess. I reread stuff I've written and realize how great my life really is.

Wishing we lived closer so we could not answer each other's phone calls, cave, and just know the other understood.

keep writing!

[Maggie Roe]

This blogging thing...the book making place...blurb...that's awesome! I love it!
I just im'd my husband and gave him the link. I think it will be a late Christmas present to myself each year. Maybe a Valentine's Day gift to us, from us. What a great idea.

Do you know of any other companies that do this, or just blurb?

And I've commented before, but just once. I check up on you every few days. You are just a few clicks away, only 3 degrees of separation. You are such an inspiration to me- in all aspects. Your life as a wife, as a mother, your faith, in your craftiness, and as a blogger. Keep it up! My compliment to you!

[waisze]

Great post. I never used to like the idea of blogging and revealing anything about myself to the world.. but now I can't seem to live without it.

[waisze]

i just realized that you're on etsy.. cute shop... Me too!

[lisa]

As the "friend" who started this conversation I want to thank everyone for sharing (especially Kelly).Having never shared on a blog, I'm amazed by just reading through your comments I'm feeling more connected and as belonging to a community of authentic women. Maybe blogging is what I need to help me set goals (not to mention actually remember what my goals even were/are as well as to stay focussed on my priorities: integrity, love, life & my family. I also think that by having a place to show off my beautiful babes, I might be driven just a little less stark raving mad by their demands for food, water and nurture. I'd appreciate your prayers and so would my husband...Who also drives me mad (I mean angry mad vs. crazy mad) most days of the week. Thank you again!