the whys and wherefores of blogging

It was while living in Canberra, after we had bought our block in the country that I discovered the world of blogs. Our life had already taken a turn in a different direction. Not long before I had started to become a regular shopper at the weekend farmers markets. I had a small but successful vegie garden in the backyard. I started making my own bread. I began cooking up batches of liquid washing mix. We had plans for a small house on an acre of land (you can read more about that here) . I was delving into the world of a simpler way of life, but with no clear idea of what I was really doing. My research led me into the world of blogs, and it was here that I discovered a world I never knew existed.

In this world there were people living the simpler life that I was envisioning.  And far more. I particularly started enjoying many crafty blogs. I had no idea when it came to sewing or knitting, but I was always drawn to it. I read about family life, cooking from scratch, gardening and alternative cleaning methods. Blogs such as Down to Earth, Soulemama, Foxs Lane, Tiny Happy and Farmama (no longer blogging)  though quite different to each other, were hugely inspiring, and continue to be daily reads.

From the time we rented in town, to building and moving into our new house, to welcoming another baby into the family, I continued reading blogs. I learned to sew and knit in these few years. I'd had a desire to learn these things for so long, but it was the inspiration found on blogs that finally made me decide to learn.

It was Daniel who started suggesting that I start a blog of my own. At first I laughed at the idea. I had many doubts. Who would want to read my relatively unexciting life? How would I find ideas for blog posts and wouldn't these ideas run out?  Would I constantly suffer from writers block? I hadn't done any form of writing since I was a teenager. Shouldn't I wait until I had a better camera? There is also that vulnerability of putting yourself out there and so being open to criticism. And importantly, how would I find the time?

But despite the doubts and after some time had passed, I decided to give it a try. I had a feeling that blogging might be something that I would very much enjoy. The blog became a little life of it's own. A little escape for me in the day to day, where I could record what was going on at that point of time. I was never really stuck for ideas. I would, and still do, usually park myself in front of the computer early in the morning, and write about whatever is on my mind, or find that my just downloaded photos tell a story of their own. I'd write about what I was making, what the kids were doing, what I was baking, what I was reading or where we went.

I recently realised that blogging is not unlike the constant diary and journal keeping that I kept form the age of eleven to nineteen. During my teen years I felt a need to keep a record of my day to day, and in my later teen years I carried my camera almost everywhere. Blogging has felt like going back to both of those in a sense.

But the thing I love about blogging the most is the connection I've felt to other people. People who are kind of like me. People who "get me". I can count on one or two fingers the people I know in real life who sew or knit or make bread or are interested in simpler living. I had always felt different somehow, but the blogging community has helped to fill that gap with their support and sharing of ideas.

 


Of course having a blog led me to discover many, many more wonderful blogs out there. Some I feel, that I can truly call friends, despite never having met them in real life.


So thank you for your generously shared ideas. Thank you for your comments that help keep me going. Thank you for visiting.




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Also I am very grateful for your all comments and suggestions in yesterday's post. Shadecloth sounds like a very good suggestion, as does companion planting. I think I need to have some discussions with my handyman husband. Thank you Elaina for the natural pest spray recipes.

I can also happily report that it's raining right now and has been since late last night!