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Writing is how history stays alive. When a culture wants to block off from the rest of the world, the first thing they attack is the people's access to books and information.
And what a crazy, ridiculous, amazing time we live in where it is easier than ever to write and to get our words out there to people all over. The deeper I dwell on it, it becomes even more amazing to me.
This month I have been blogging for five years.
I never wrote down the exact date I clicked the publish button for my first ever blog post. My first ever blog post doesn't even exist anymore (thank heaven for that). But I remember that day so vividly. It was on a crisp day in November. I had just gotten home from my bible study group. I was 13 years old. And I was ecstatic to be writing on my first blog.
Five years doesn't seem like a lot when you're thinking of the grand scheme of eternity. Little blogger me is still practically a toddler in the internet world. But looking back on the past five years, I feel like a completely different person than that frizzy-haired girl who had no idea what she was getting into, who didn't know what she was doing with her life, who just wanted to write.
Sometimes I think back to those days and I just want to smack my younger self for posting the most mindless, random weirdness (I honestly have no idea how I had followers back then. I was obnoxious). Then other times I wish I could go back, back to when I didn't give a care about what other people thought of me, when I was bold and was able to find something to write about every day.
I never liked writing in private journals and diaries. I still don't. Blogging has given me an outlet to have an audience. I don't feel like I'm shouting into the void. I have a community, a family that I couldn't have by writing privately.
This was one of my points in my paper I talked about the other day.
Blogging is important!
We live in a world where we can write for and have discussions with people around the world. Blogging gives us perspective about things that we wouldn't have otherwise and that's amazing!
I'm not a perfect blogger. I've never been a perfect blogger. I'll never be a perfect blogger. I have kept four completely different blogs before I finally permanently settled on this one (I ain't going anywhere folks!). I still hate my writing sometimes, and I have taken so many unexpected, spontaneous blogging hiatuses (sorry) that I'm somewhat surprised you are still here.
In the end though, I wouldn't be the same person I am now without blogging. The world wouldn't be the same as it is now without blogging, and for that I am grateful. I still get annoyed thinking about my younger self sometimes, but honestly, I wouldn't change a thing that has happened over these past five years.
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This post was supposed to be a list of things that blogging has taught me, but then I started to bleed out feelings and everything I've been thinking on and this sort of happened. I don't really mind, though.
10 comments
I can relate to this so much (first posts are so cringeworthy, that we'd make the same face that babies make when eating sour lemons). Happy five years, Hannah! Despite the hiatuses, you're still here. We're still here. And we'll keep reading. <3
ReplyDeletexoxo Morning
Thank you, Morning. That means a lot. :)
DeleteCongratulations on five years of blogging! That's a long time - good on you. I enjoyed reading your thoughts and reflections about blogging - it really is an amazing thing when you start thinking about it.
ReplyDeleteThank you, Jessica!
DeleteI would say "congratulations" but it doesn't seem quite fitting for me to say. Because I understand this post. I understand how blogging can grow you. Shape you. I understand the sweet nostalgia of looking back over five years of blogging (I'm nearing the exact same milestone!). But I think I'll say congratulations all the same. Here's to fellow long-time bloggers! May our awkward frizzy-haired days never be forgotten. And definitely never be repeated.
ReplyDeleteYour comment made me so happy, Emily. Thank you so much!
DeleteThis was a lovely post, blogging is such an amazing creative outlet. Loved reading!
ReplyDeleteLauren | Sincerely, Lauren Emily
Yes, blogging is so incredible! Thanks for visiting, Lauren Emily :)
DeleteBlogging, for me, is an incredible release. I am so happy that you've managed to stick at it for five years, and even though I'm about to say it, it doesn't feel like it sums it up: you're doing great, Hannah, and as a new(ish) reader of your blog...here's to another five years! *clinks glass*
ReplyDeleteThank you, Sunset! That means so much! :)
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