My daughter, Luna, writes in her journal nearly every day. Her reflections are far more profound than what I jotted down at her age. I recently stumbled upon my third-grade diary, filled with entries like, “Dear Dairy, we had peas again for lunch,” or “Dear Dairy, Max likes me,” and “Dear Dairy, my brother is such a brat.” It’s funny to think that the whole year I misspelled ‘diary.’ How could I possibly share my innermost secrets when my letters were addressed to a dairy?
Luna doesn’t read my blog, and I don’t peek into her journal, but she recently asked me why I choose to blog instead of keeping a private diary like I did when I was younger. That’s a great question, especially considering how sacred our childhood diaries were. They were locked tight, with keys worn around our necks, hidden away under pillows and in drawers behind closed doors.
Now, our thoughts are out there for everyone to see—our most intimate reflections and daily experiences laid bare. It’s a strange concept when you think about it. Still, I don’t share every deep thought on my blog. Those remain tucked away in my heart, with a secret key only I know how to find. My blog isn’t my diary. It’s just my blog.
With any writing, there are times when you just need to step back. I remember blank pages in my childhood diaries. I don’t want my children to revisit my blog someday and wonder why there were quiet periods. Life was happening, I just got busy or couldn’t find the words or maybe didn’t want to write about the sad stuff.
So, when Luna asked me why I blog, I reflected on it and came up with a few reasons:
- To Capture Memories: I might never get around to printing photos or filling out those baby books, so this blog will serve as a digital scrapbook for you. Along with the thousands of pictures I’ve taken, you’ll find these stories tucked away on my hard drives. Sorry about that!
- To Combat Loneliness: Motherhood can be isolating, and writing gives me a way to express myself, even if it’s just to my own thoughts. It’s a way to communicate when I might feel alone.
- To Connect with Others: There are incredible people out there online. Through blogging and social media, I’ve formed my own community and made lasting friendships.
- To Share My Story: I want you to know me beyond just being your mom. I’m not a natural storyteller, and I don’t want you to someday wonder what I was like. You can find me here, and you’ll discover the real me. There are so many questions I wish I had asked my grandmother. I hope you never regret the things you didn’t ask.
- To Preserve the Little Things: I want to remember everything, especially the small moments that make up our lives. While you’ll remember milestones like graduations and first kisses, I want to record those amusing little instances, like the time Luna played rock-paper-scissors with the cat. (I’ll dive deeper into that later).
- To Share Laughter: Sometimes you might not find my jokes funny, but maybe others will. It’s worth sharing a laugh with a larger audience, even if it doesn’t land.
- Because Writing Makes Me Happy: Writing feels fulfilling, and it brings joy to my mind. I want to keep writing for as long as I can, right up until my last day.
Love you both,
Mom
P.S. Consider starting a blog of your own. Trust me on this one. You may not take all my advice, but I hope this one resonates with you.
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Summary:
This blog post reflects on the reasons behind blogging, contrasting it with traditional journaling and highlighting the importance of capturing memories, fostering connections, and expressing oneself as a parent. It encourages readers to embrace writing as a form of self-expression and a way to document life’s little moments.
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