Why I Blog

November 12, 2008

Through my years of blogging I occasionally have the need to process why I blog.

Follow up posts:

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Something you may not know about me is that for a decade I haven't earned any money.

Nada, nothing, zilch. And not because my hubby is some big shot executive earning the big bucks - ha! We have managed to do this because of God's provision (free housing for 6 months during a time when Damien was earning very little) and a lot of frugal (not cheap) decisions. But this post is not about how our family of 5 has lived on one modest income for 10 years. It's about blogging... eventually.

Potential

First a little history

10 years ago I was an university student in my last year of an education degree. I was also a wife and homemaker, pregnant with our first child.

That last term of school was intense. I was "working" full time as an (unpaid) student teacher. We moved that spring, in the final weeks of my practicum. I graduated in April, nested for a month and then welcomed our first born Celine in May.

We had no intention that I would work outside the home when we had babies and little ones. But someday I figured I might do something to earn a little extra...

Someday never came because we moved to the United States when Celine was one year old. We have been here for over 8 years and for that whole time only Damien has had a work visa.

I am not legally allowed to earn money.

We are in the process of applying for permanent residency (go figure, Canadians immigrating to the US!). When we are granted that, our lawyer says it could be another three years, I will finally be able to earn money. Money, like the stuff you need for groceries, the mortgage, and the occasional vacation.

Finding my own path

What does this have to do with blogging?

Although I can't earn money right now, someday I will. And I'm hoping (don't laugh I have a fragile ego) I'll be able to sell/trade/barter my creative skills in exchange for things our family needs and wants.

Things like art and music lessons or a trip to France - a mama can dream can't she?

Dare I even say it? That someone will value my writing and photography (and who knows what else) enough to exchange something for it.

There I said it. I want to go somewhere with photography and writing.

Right now the most logical place to start is with my blog, the easiest means of self publishing. But because I can't sell (remember I can't earn $) my experience or skills as homeschooler, photographer or writer I get satisfaction simply in knowing that people are visiting my blog.

Hopefully they are inspired, encouraged or challenged about something I wrote. Maybe they'll even start to eat more local vegetables, enjoy an afternoon outdoors with their children, re-think homeschooling, plant a little garden, go on a family hike, show kindness to a neighbor, pursue a creative life.

Creating and sharing an authentic (I have bad days too) lovely family life is my message and I'll be honest - I want people to read it.

I don't earn anything from people visiting this blog or clicking on links (in case you're wondering) but I get immense gratification just knowing people are reading.

To be sure, I'm not the only camera wielding mama who is hoping to unleash her creative genius on the blogging world. There is nothing like linking your way through the blogosphere to make you feel like a really little fish in a really big pond. That's ok.

This blog which started 4 years ago as a way to keep extended family in the loop has now grown into a creative outlet for me. A venture that someday may add value to our family.

Some mamas quilt, scrapbook or paint. I take photos and blog.

Thanks for joining on the journey.

Do you have a blog with a similar purpose? A creative outlet to share your take on life with the world? Please share a link in the comments (ps. You don't have to be a mama).