Why I blog

"We should write because its human nature to write" - Julia Cameron

Writing has always been an integral part of my life - from lists to letters, from essays to theses - writing helps me to make sense of all my ideas and lets me see the big picture, as well as the minute detail.
For a while, as post-natal depression took hold of my life for about 5 years, I found words around me overwhelming - particularly commercialism, news, signs and information - and I found myself shutting off from that outlet.
Now I find myself writing once again. Not to be anything or tick any boxes for anyone else, but to simply be with my words and ideas.

"We make a big deal out of putting words on paper instead of simply releasing them to the air" - Julia Cameron, The Right to Write: An Invitation and Initiation into the Writing Life.

That's why I blog - because it releases my thoughts into the blogosphere and lets them circulate there, rather than just in my head. And I can come back to them if I like. Or not if I don't.

For me this blog has many purposes:

Its an organiser - to help instil ritual into my week (see Friday Blog reviews)
Its a gift - a chance to give to others (my family, friends, like-minded readers) through photos and information (see Rosie's cardigan)
It a good place to brainstorm - a chance to read, review and organise my thoughts and ideas (see my post on the role of a supportive parent)
Its a celebration - 'Look at what we've achieved' (see A Birthday for Bethany)
Its a diary - e.g. the camper trailer logbook, observations of our days (see Slow travel in Sleepy Bay).

Happy reading (and writing)...