Why I Blog

I was remembering today about the many, many journals I've had since I was 13.  I have about 7 or 8 volumes--some of them cover a few months (when I'm good at writing), and some of them cover several years (when I'm not).  I not only have the regular journals, but unfinished journals like my Happy Journal (in which I wrote gratitude lists, quotes, things that made me happy that day, etc.), my Body Image Journal (where I wrote foods I ate, exercises, measurements, and feelings about my constant battle with body image), my Patriarchal Blessing Journal (in which I studied about and wrote each line of my patriarchal blessing as part of a scripture study one year), a Scripture Study Journal, and so on and so on.  Now, let me be clear--I love writing.  I was not blessed with a good memory, so I am a person who needs to write things down to remember them--from appointments to experiences and everything in between.  Writing helps me not only record but make sense of my experiences, and it's often a very cathartic experience.  The problem with all of these different journals, however, is that I was compartmentalizing my life and I just don't think you can do that.  I would get so overwhelmed with how much I HAD to write in each journal each day or week that after a few months of excited momentum things just sort of trailed off. 

While I do find typing WAY easier/faster than writing, and therefore blogging is easier than journaling, this blog is really, aside from the truly personal stuff, my solution to all of those problems I mentioned.  I've thought about making different blogs for my crafts or recipes or spiritual stories, etc...  But all of these are facets of who I am.  So sometimes I will share thoughts, memories, quotes, and impressions that have shaped who I am.  Sometimes it will be a travel log.  Sometimes, like lately, I will share crafts and recipes and other hobbies, mostly to give myself something to look forward to and a place to remind myself of the things I love to do.  I don't know how to compartmentalize myself, so I'm not going to try.  This blog shows you, bit by bit, all of me.  And I'm not apologetic about that.  :)

I DO hope, though, that my life will soon enough bring me more to share than just stuff I make or do.