4 Years Blogging: Why write?
This is post #162 for me! Not a particularly special number, except that it marks 4 years writing at the Owl.
How does writing fit into my life?
I read a book earlier this year about the challenges of writing memoir, Writing Hard Stories by Melanie Brooks. Brooks wrote that the act of writing our stories down, whether or not anyone ultimately reads them, can be helpful for us, to integrate our experiences into ourselves, to make sense of what has happened in our lives and our place in the world.
"Writing is a way to organize your life, give it a frame, give it a structure, so that you can really see what it was that happened. —Melanie Brooks, Writing Hard Stories
Blogging often is like writing memoir. Writing about life, stuff that has happened, stuff I'm learning about—it forces me to organize my thoughts into a coherent story. You give yourself a narrative arc. You give it all meaning. I've written previously about how blogging is a way of putting thoughts into words, taking a first stab at ideas, reflecting, and synthesizing. Reflection is part of learning.
This year, I've blogged less than in the two years prior, but I've also been working on several other writing projects, on and off. More off lately—more on that in a minute. But every time I take a morning to write, I feel more me. I'm always happy to get back to the keyboard.
Sometimes, I feel bad that I'm neglecting other projects or activities to take the time to write… but then I remind myself that no, writing is good for me. No matter what your hobby—art, writing, crafts, baking, sports, exercise, etc—you ought to have a thing you do for you. Especially mothers, especially mothers who predominantly stay home with their children, especially homeschooling mothers, since they can too easily get all wrapped up in their kids' education and activities, and forget about their own interests. Writing is one of my things.
As one mother interviewed in Catherine Pakaluk's book Hannah's Children described, you are more yourself when you do your things. Your kids learn that those things are part of who you are. You should take the time for your things. And so I keep writing.
That writing journal…
Earlier this year, I tried out the idea of a writing journal. As it happens, that idea went nowhere—oops! I think the problem was twofold. First, I started in the spring—late March. But spring is when my indoor projects (like writing!) wind down, and outdoor activities ramp up. Here in Idaho, the warmer months are spent gardening, at beaches and parks, hiking, camping, adventuring. Time spent on reading, writing, crafts and art wanes. So, shortly after starting that writing journal, I was not actively working on leveling up my writing skills. I was just trying to get words in for the blog and my book projects. Honestly, in the mix of things, I actually forgot I had a writing journal.
The second problem was that I'd set it up as a digital journal. I'd done that intentionally so I could record from my phone, since I do most of my first drafts from my phone, but I think something is lost doing that. I need to switch to paper.
Why share all this? Usually my posts share the success stories (like writing 50,000 words). It's also important to share the struggles! The struggles are where we learn the most.
(Read: My Experience Writing Morning Pages as a Parent with Young Children)
Further Reading: A few of our most popular posts
Here are some of our posts that were most popular this year:
- What Does It Mean To Be A Scholar?
- How to Practice Self-Denial—and What You'll Gain By Doing So
- Tutorial: Super Simple Crocheted Water Bottle Holder in 5 Steps (Great First Project!)
- Book Review: Simplicity Parenting: Using the Extraordinary Power of Less to Raise Calmer, Happier, and More Secure Kids by Kim John Payne with Lisa M. Ross
- Tutorial: How to Make a Braided Rag Rug From Old Sheets or T-Shirts
