I feel a little ridiculous writing a blog post on why I decided to start up a blog and have continued to do so for a good 3 and bit years now. I have to be honest and say I don't really know who I'm addressing. Is it you guys? The people who come by and take a peep, which I am overly appreciative of. Or is it for me? Strangely, I think it's both.
I decided last night that instead of posting my usual weekly Top Ten Tuesday I would publish this instead because I do think it's nice to give a little backstory to "PrintedWords&".
In 2012 I was half way through my final year of high school and my love for reading was pretty much my coping mechanism with school. However, there wasn't a output source where I could discuss the books I was reading and it was frustrating. Then it clicked. I had internet access and it was there for a reason. I started up a blog to write reviews, which were definitely not at all good, but I really enjoyed doing. A part of me was also trying to seek out fellow readers on the cyber space who might've been interested in discussing different reads and share their opinions and recommendations. I wasn't really aware of the blogging community like I am now. There are some fabulous people I've come to know and whilst I'm terrible at constantly keeping in contact I do think this journey has been worthwhile.
Fast forward 4 years and I've struggled to be consistent both in reading and blogging. I've come to the point where I've started questioning if I still enjoy blogging. Some moments I love it. Love that I have so much to say and share, it gets me so excited. And there are some moments where I start to panic because my content isn't good enough or isn't ready for the scheduled day. I start to see blogging as a chore - and that is the one thing I'm scared will become a permanent feeling. I do not want this blog, that I've put effort into and wholeheartedly enjoyed, to become a burden that I feel I have an obligation to work on.
I started this blog for me and I intend on keeping it that way. In saying that, I do appreciate every reader that comes by and hope that the content I have up is enjoyable and interesting to read. I write posts that I have a personal interest in and also want to share with others so that they too can check it out and hopefully like as well!
It's definitely hard to juggle blogging along with my personal life - work, study, friends and family - but I'm trying. It's easy to be swept up in viewer counts, freebies and gaining "celebrity" status, but I'm going to blog for myself and what I love. I don't want to have to think that I owe this blog something and have obligations to fulfil.
The reason I blog is simple. Because I enjoy it. And I want to keep it that way. Fun and exciting and hopefully that'll reflect in my upcoming posts!
xxx
