Boredom is boring
One night in November last year I woke up and said “I want to blog.” So I did, but not very well, in my opinion. The urge came after feeling an immense void that couldn’t be filled by doom-scrolling, studying, binge-watching or gallivanting the city centre. It was boredom. Throughout the year I’d tried various hobbies: crocheting, skating (once), sewing and scrapbooking. These were skills that required time to learn (time which I never seemed to have). One thing I didn’t think would need time to learn? Writing. A blog is just writing whatever I like, right? Right. Write.
Commiting to the bit.
Last week I touched on the fact that I kept my blog semi-secret and only wrote about myself. It was my hidden corner on the internet— not as exclusive as my spam account, but certainly more interesting than my main Instagram (a discussion for another day). Writing has always been a way to process my thoughts and reflect on my experiences, so my posts stayed within the boundaries of self-reflection and random musings. Would I have called myself a writer or a blogger before? No, because I didn’t take it seriously enough to ‘earn’ those titles.
Over time, my blog evolved into much more than a little journal. Whenever topics popped into my mind, I would immediately open my notes app or start a document and leave it. While releasing my thoughts in short bursts was okay, it was not fulfilling. Gradually, the idea of writing about topics that truly excited me grew on me. The permanence of my memories, thoughts and feelings encouraged me to start blogging regularly.
Learning how to write
So far, blogging has challenged me to think critically, organise my thoughts, and communicate effectively. None of these are easy. Each post serves as a practice session that helps me refine my writing style and discover my voice. The trickiest part about blogging has probably been finding my voice in a world that has never and will never be quiet. Putting myself out there has never been more challenging, but I haven’t been faced with the negativity my mind seems to be dying to meet.
Slowly, the joy of writing about my interests has encouraged me to open up my blog to a wider audience. Whether it’s delving into the latest book I’ve read, or sharing memories and opinions, I have enjoyed fleshing out my ideas. Some of which, come from fleeting conversations and discussions with friends and deserve further exploration. Blogging has allowed me to explore my thoughts and reflections, and present them coherently.
Thanks for reading!
This blog is now a space where I can explore, learn, share, and create. It’s a reflection of my growth as a writer and as a person. And it wouldn’t be the same without the support and feedback from readers like you. Feel free to share your thoughts, experiences, or suggestions for future posts in the comments below. See you on Thursday!
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