Why I Blog

     I’ve been thinking a lot over the past week about why I blog.  I’ve never been very vocal about my opinions and I’m usually not comfortable speaking in front of large groups of people.  Being overly shy has always been an issue for me, though I’ve almost grown out of it.  So far, my personality does not seem like the type of personality that posts her thoughts on the internet for everyone to see, but there is something about blogging that make these obstacles irrelevant.

     Maybe it’s the writing.  I’ve always loved to write, and have multiple third grade diaries to prove it.  For me, writing is drastically easier than speaking.  I have the chance to articulate my thoughts in a sensible way, and there is also the ability to edit.  It’s hard to fix something spoken, but just a couple taps of the backspace key erases any error in a matter of seconds.  Having my thoughts visible on a piece of paper strengthens them, and allows me to take a stance on subjects I would not normally go anywhere near.  Other people may feel differently, and to some this may just seem cowardly, but it is a habit I could not do without.

     Maybe it’s the distraction.  Whenever I have a ton of work and absolutely no motivation, doing a little blog work helps.  Blogging provides the same distraction as Facebook, without the guilt that comes with procrastination.  Any extra writing is good for school, right?

     But perhaps it’s the experience.  Later on, maybe even next year, I’ll look back on my blog and see how unimportant and poorly edited some of my posts were, but I don’t think I’ll ever regret it.  For the first time, I’m publicizing my voice and getting involved in where I live.  Most of my posts aren’t groundbreaking Washington stories, but studying local news and formulating opinions on it causes me to feel a strong connection to the city I live in.  Spending time away from D.C. made me realize how unique the city is, and I hope to show that appreciation through my blog.

     As people seem to learn again and again, once something is posted on the internet, it is open to a big audience and a wide range of criticism.  Just because it is open to the public does not necessarily mean that they will read it or care, but it is there all the same.  I started this blog as a personal project, not really meaning to actually post anything, but just write for myself.  However I made the decision to put it on the internet, and I hope anyone who reads it feels the same enjoyment as I do when I write it.