Day #8 of Blogtember.
Thursday, September 12: Discuss ways that blogging or social media has changed you.
In third standard, I became fascinated by diary writing. There was something charming about keeping a secret diary and locking it in a special drawer. I tried keeping a regular diary. But I couldn’t. I had a great friend with whom I could share everything. I didn’t need a diary to vent out my feelings. When this friend left and I became alone, I could write freely. For two years, my diary was filled with long pages of typical teenage emotions, problems and experiences. Then again, I made a friend and my diary now sees less of me. But this time I didn’t completely stop writing. By now I had begun writing other things apart from my diary. And this writing made me happy.
Studies and entrance exams kept me busy for two years. And then, I just couldn’t get back to writing. I used to stare at my notebook hoping the words would come. They didn’t. Blogging began as an attempt to get back to writing. The earlier posts required a lot of efforts but it has become easier now. Especially these days, with Blogtember. 🙂
Discovering new blogs has been one of the best part of blogging. I’ve met some awesome bloggers; some of them are so unlike me that I would probably have never found people like them if it weren’t for blogging. So yes, blogging has helped me find people and ideas that are very different from me.
I love that somebody in some far off place takes the time to read what I’ve written, and that it resonates with them. It tells me that humans are pretty much the same all over the world, and what I write is bound to touch somebody. Blogging has given me a platform to be myself and find others like me.
I’ve written stories that I always wanted to write.
I’ve started enjoying writing poetry, something that I never attempted before.
I’ve written things that I strongly feel about.
And there seems to be an audience for everything!
I’ve never been fond of other forms of social media; I’ve never enjoyed sharing anything on social networking sites. Blogs have been the only form of social media where I’ve actually “connected” with people. They are like letters. And letters are always much more personal and touching.
It has been more than six months of blogging. And it has been a thoroughly enjoyable journey! 🙂
The Writer's Nest 
I agree. And I like how you compared blogging with letter writing. I started off writing diaries and lots and lots of letters to friends, since I grew up way back when when the only modes of communication were the telephone and stamped letters. I am also amazed when I know that someone else has come to my blog from a far-away place. I suppose it’s like having pen pals, except over the internet. I’m glad you have been enjoying blogging/writing! I am glad to have met you.
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That is exactly what I meant. Unfortunately, emailing never came close to letter writing for me. Blogging is doing what emails should have been doing. But maybe it’s better this way; I’ve met people like you! 🙂
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That’s an interesting point. I think I only have one really good email friend, who puts the time into writing really thoughtful emails and we have some wonderful discussions that way. My other friends, who are scattered all over the country, email but sporadically and briefly. It’s been hard to keep up friendship in the same way.
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I really enjoyed your post. I love blogging (and Facebook, a bit too much I believe). Social media is sometimes the only way for me to connect with friends who went abroad (and soon I’m going to one of the expats as well). Also social media has brought me to meet lovely people from around the world, some of them I’m meeting on a regular basis every few months. 🙂 xx Olivia
http://not-from-uk.blogspot.com/
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Facebook started as a way to connect with far off friends for me too. But somewhere along the way, the “connection” in the true sense was lost.
Thanks for reading, and I’m glad you enjoyed the post! 🙂
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Oh I feel the same way. Writing is the best way I know how to express myself and blogging just encourages it. And, like you, connecting with other bloggers makes it that much more enjoyable. That’s the point in the end, I figure, to have a connection either through writing or through someone else’s writing. 🙂
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Very true. Thanks for visiting! 🙂
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