Why I {Heart} Blogging

image: ucd.ie

Today's post was inspired by an article written by Laurie over at Tip Junkie. She wants to know why her readers blog, why it's not a waste of time, and perhaps a tip or two.

I don't know that I'm qualified to share any blogging tips, but since my little bitty blog grew to reach over 200 Followers this week, I thought it's as good a time as any to share why I started blogging and why I continue to do it.

I typed up my very first blog post when my youngest was just a few weeks old. It pretty much summed up my reasons for starting a blog: I was feeling frustrated after being cooped up in the house with a newborn and a two year old, it was January, my husband was at work all day, and my friends were busy. I had things to say, but no one to say them too. Nothing particularly earth shattering, just funny little things that were going on, or my opinion on various subjects from fashion to TV to food.

I wrote one or two posts and then took an 11 month break. The newborn baby phase was wearing on me, and it seemed like I was just talking to myself. It wasn't until after I started reading other people's blogs that I realized a potential for community within the blogosphere.

Sure, I could write about dirty diapers and Starbucks all I wanted, but no one was reading my words because I wasn't putting myself out there. When I took some time to visit other blogs, leave thoughtful comments, and get to know the writers behind the screens, I felt so much more connected.

Some women blog to chronicle the cute or embarrassing things their little ones do. I certainly do some of that and a lot of the other. Some women love to write about the way they create a beautiful, welcoming environment in their homes. I try to do some of that too. Others share their love of fashion. Me too.

I guess for me, blogging is slightly more than a hobby. I truly do it to find some "Serenity Now." Taking some time to write about things I find interesting or things that are going on in my life is like pouring all of my jumbled up thoughts from the day into a strainer. Once filtered, I can see things more clearly. It's not a waste of time to me to feel a bit of serenity in my life because I was able to express myself in words.

The icing on top of the cake is that some of you stop by to offer feedback. Whether you are a man or a woman, a mom or a single college girl, the fact that you take the time to share your thoughts with me means that I may sometimes find something that resonates with you, despite our differences in life stages. That is community. That is my serenity.

Visit Tip Junkie to share your own story of why you blog! I hope you'll return to Serenity Now!