Friday, August 19, 2011

Why Do We Blog?

Why do we blog?
As busy as we are, many of us choose to spend a good deal of time working on our blogs. I wonder why?

Is it our love of the written word? 
I know that's part of it for me...I love to write...and blogging allows me to write for a "real" audience. Social networking sites like Facebook and Twitter are quick and fun but they just don't provide the same kind of opportunity for creative writing that blogging does.
"Writing became such a process of discovery that I couldn't wait to get to work in the morning:  I wanted to know what I was going to say."  ~Sharon O'Brien


Is it our love of photography?
Since I've been blogging, my camera has become another means of self-expression. I never leave home...or work at home...without it nearby.

"To me, photography is an art of observation. It's about finding something interesting in an ordinary place...I've found it has little to do with the things you see and everything to do with the way you see them."  - Elliot Erwitt

Is it the love of our homes?
We spend so much time creating a home that reflects our personalities and interests...

Collecting and displaying favorite vintage objects...

And painting, hammering, sewing and gluing together little patches of our lives...
That sometimes we just can't wait to share them with others.

Is blogging about a need to record our lives...to leave something of ourselves behind?
This is my diary from 6th grade...in 1959. My blog is like my e-diary...I like being able to look back through previous posts ...just as I did years ago with written journals. I especially love rereading the posts that my sister, Nancy, wrote, when we blogged together at It's Always Something...it's like hearing her voice again.

Remember diaries with keys?  An Internet diary has no key ... your sisters and brothers finally get to read your "diary"!

Do we blog to connect with others?
For me that is a big part of blogging.

It sounds counter intuitive that the busier we are in today's world, the more time many of us spend on the computer...blogging and commenting back and forth with one another. But maybe it is exactly because we are so busy that we enjoy our blog friendships so much.

We may not have the time our mothers had to visit each other's homes for coffee...
But, through our blogs, we can make new friends with similar interests...from all over the world...and keep in touch with them at a time that works best for us. For me that's often at 1:00 a.m., when the house is finally quiet, or very early in the morning before I leave for school.

So...now that I've 'fessed up. I'd love to hear from you.
Why do you blog?

Today I am linking up to:

link up every friday!


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18 comments:

A Few Pennies said...

Beautiful post~~you have just said in words and pictures what it is we love about blogging. Have a wonderful weekend.

★Carol★ said...

I loved this post, and you do have a knack for the written word! I guess I blog for alot of the reasons you mentioned. It's a chance to meet people with the same interests, that I probably never would meet under normal circumstances. I'm inspired every day by all of you ladies, and you're right about being able to visit at 1AM, if that's when you have the time for it.
I LOVE your old diary, and that Girl Scout camera. I love it so much that I just have to find one for myself now!

Anonymous said...

I do not know how to say it any better.
I began blogging to make connections. Although things are slow for me now (someone told me to get out and enjoy doing things to blog about so I have been busy) I still crave those connections and friendships made through blogging.
It helps me grow as a person and enlarges my world in so many ways.

Pamela Gordon said...

Hi Sheryl, I guess I also blog for the same reasons as you. I'm at home all day so pop on here whenever I want to make a post or visit other blogs. I have really enjoyed meeting so many lovely people like yourself, who share the same interests. I also love taking pictures and have learned to take my camera almost every time I go in the car, even to church! One never knows when a good photo op will come along. ;-) I started my blog to share my photos with anyone who wants to see them then I got hooked on gardening and decorating posts too. I used to have 5 year diaries with locks and an old Kodak Brownie camera so I guess this is my modern way of using those things. Great post! I hope you have a wonderful weekend. The weather is awesome right now! Blessings, Pamela

Katrina said...

I've kept a journal (diary) ever since I could write. I have volumes of them packed away in my closet, and one current one in my nightstand. But that current one is barely written in. And why? Because now I have my blog! I record our daily happenings in the blog, but my private feelings are still recorded in the journal. (I'm not one for sharing everything online!) I have friends who have never kept a journal and I can't help but to gasp, "What?? But...how do you record things? your feelings? your memories?" and they JUST DON'T! I can't even imagine it... Some of my best friends depend on ME for certain memories. "Hey...do me a favor...I can't remember the name of that guy I went out with in the 11th grade...remember we went on the double date to the movies? You were there. I'm sure you wrote about it. Can you look it up?" I'm the historian of the group. Always.

Loved your post - I'm a new follower on GFC.

Katrina
They All Call Me Mom

Linda @ A La Carte said...

I think you put it perfectly! I started blogging when I lost my job and was at home and 'lost'. It has saved me in so many ways. I've found a creative outlet through writing and photography and I've made some wonderful blogging friends. It has really given my life a new meaning and depth. I am changing as we all do and should but I will continue to blog in whatever direction it takes me. Thank you for this great post! hugs, Linda

Vickie @ Ranger 911 said...

What a thoughtful post. I used to wish I could publish my blog under another name so the family members that don't "get it" couldn't read and judge me, so to speak. Then I came across the quote by Dr. Suess that I now have on my sidebar. It goes like this:

Be who you are and say what you feel, because those who mind don't matter, and those who matter don't mind.

This is my new mantra and I read it before I write each new post. Now I'm free to be me, whoever that happens to be on any given day. :@ vickie

Sharon @ Elizabeth & Co. said...

Well, the funny thing is, I NEVER kept a diary. I always felt that my thoughts were too private to share and that surely someone would read my diary that I didn't want to read my diary and I would be horrified! So no diary for me, but now I write a blog that could be read by anyone out there in blog world. Who would have guessed?

Neha@ Allthingsbeautiful said...

Lovely post...and so true!
I blog for my love for my home and creativity! Through photography and writing, I express this love on my blog.
Do visit my blog when you get a chance
http://allthingzbeautiful.blogspot.com/

Diann said...

What a totally fun post! Loved it. I think we blog for all the reasons you listed above and a few more. thank your for sharing this with all of us at TTF and have a fun weekend!

Brenda Pruitt said...

It's all of the above and more!
Brenda

Dayle ~ A Collection of Days said...

In my perfect world, I would do more journaling in a "real" journal. I still do that, but my handwriting has gotten so bad, not to mention I have joint issues with my hands, that my blog is truly the chronicle of my life. There are some things reserved for my hard journal, but, for the most part, I blog to leave a trail ... oh ... and for all of the other reasons you mentioned, too. :)

Jenny - French A La Beach said...

I love your blog - Good on you for doing this! I am a Breast Cancer Survivor (13 years) and really honor and respect you for keeping your sister's memory alive. It is good for you and for so many others. I believe you have to live each day as your last and laugh and enjoy - it is the best medicine to laugh alot LOL!! Keep up the good work and visit me some time for a chat if you need to.

Thanks again
Jenny

Debra@CommonGround said...

Wonderful post, and so true! I'm not into facebook at all, there's so much more room for creativity blogging, thanks for linking up with VIF! xo

Anonymous said...

Cheryl..I think there is a little of all the above behind the reason,and I'm so happy to call you one of the reasons WHY.
Glad to know you my friend.
~JO

The Charm of Home said...

Isn't this the truth. We don't have to time to go visit the neighbor and visit in the kitchen. We live online. How much has changed! I love to create and be creative. This is a wonderful outlet and has been a great thing for me. Thanks for linking this up to Home Sweet Home!

Megan Gunyan said...

What a great post to do a little reflecting on our computer time....sometimes, blogging is a worthwhile endeavor and sometimes, it's just a waste of time! :)

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