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Friday, March 30, 2012

The Experiment

I have a love/hate relationship with this here blog you’re reading. I love the last few things I’ve written on it, since starting grad school. I hate the fact that I’ve only written 4 times since then. I love the idea of having a blog, but I hate how I feel inadequate to have anything to say most of the time. I love writing, or at least want to love writing, but I hate…writing. (How does that even make sense?!) I love sharing my ideas with people but I hate feeling like a failure when I go 3 months between posts. See my dilemma? It’s a doosey.

As some of you may have seen a few weeks ago on Facebook, I stayed up til 4 am my first night of spring break reading blogs. Oops. See, I’ve always heard people talk about all the great blogs they read and thought, “how on earth do they find these blogs? Cause I can’t find any.” Then I stumbled upon Hopes and Dreams through pinterest. And she linked to C. Jane and NieNie, so I found them too. And I think I might be a little bit addicted. Just slightly though…I haven’t stayed up til 4am again. That’s good, right?

I always thought that I couldn’t have a real blog because I’m single and in school and am too busy to do a ton of fun things. My perception of blogs was that they are there to share with family and friends all the fun things you’ve done with your husband and kids and how wonderful and perfect your life is. Well, that doesn’t really work for me. Because I have no husband or kids, and sometimes my life is kind of boring because I’m working hard in school to become a Marriage and Family Therapist.

Then I discovered these blogs. And yes, the writers are all married. And they all have kids. And they all do fun, exciting things. But, that's not the only thing their blogs are about. In reading I came across posts that made me think, “huh – I could write something like that…” All these ideas came into my mind about how I can use my blog and have fun with it and not feel inadequate because of the stage in life I’m in. So, that’s what I’m going to do.

And here’s why. In reading those blogs, I have seen myself in these other women’s experiences and thoughts. They’ve got me thinking about things and about myself and about the world in ways that I wouldn’t have thought on my own. I gained strength from them to help me in my hard moments. I have more thoroughly found myself in their writing. That’s kind of weird sounding, but I am loving it!

So, I want to do that for other people. I think there are thoughts, ideas, experiences, trials, that I have that might be able to help someone else. Or just entertain them. Or make them grateful for their lives. Or make them think about things from a new perspective. That’s exciting to me.

Here’s the experiment. I am going to be an active blogger for the next 3 months. It’s my trial period to see if I like it, if I can come up with things to write about, if I feel like people are reading and being helped. Three months, then I’ll reevaluate and decide if I want to keep it up or let it go.

So, here’s where you can come in. If you like what I write, if you want me to continue writing, let me know! Either on facebook, in comments, or send me an email. Click that follow button at the top left side of your screen. Because though I am doing this for myself, if I’m not reaching anyone at all, I’m more likely to stop when my experiment is over.

Thanks for sharing this journey with me!


5 comments:

justine.rae said...

I like this experiment, and really you could just post about something that you've been thinking about or some other random stuff. Anything that provides insight into your life, even if you think it's boring.

Chantel said...

Yes, yes, yes!! I'm all for this experiment!! I'm so excited. I love you so much. You have such a brilliant mind, and you are so wise. I dannyn wait to hear more of your thoughts and ideas. Gosh, I miss you. I wish we were roommates.

Chantel said...

the word "dannyn" is supposed to be can't. Stupid phone.

Lee Lovell said...

Just read it all. I have read each of your posts and whenever you post a new one it give a notification through Google Reader on my phone. Keep it up! :)

Sarah Elizabeth said...

Dear baby sis Rachel, where did you go?! I want this experiment to start again, k? Please write for us all to read!