well, why I blog[1]
I’ve been trying, and failing, to do some M208 work over the last few of days. No work has happened—I’m too busy at work-work, too knackered-tired and too mentally-unfocused to do more than stare hopelessly at the unit texts. Bad news? Not really—I’ve been here before, many, many times. How do I know this? Because I blog and I can read what I thought then….
Blogging, for me, is akin to keeping a public diary, a diary helps when you hit the lows [or highs]—it’s a comfort to know that you have been in a similar place before. Gives you hope [or pause], and gives you a direct-tunnel into remembering the feelings that you had then. Your own writing is a form of smell/taste—you’re right back there.
Why is it important that it is public?
Because if you’re, potentially, going to splatter your thoughts across the entire ether you think a bit. And when you think, you think about what it is that you are really thinking. True, I sometimes craft a post in an attempt to make it a bit more interesting, or to reinforce a point, but in general what you read here is me. I do this for you, If I was doing this for myself it would be a stream of incoherent babble, I’ve got books and books of that.
The most important person that you’ll ever analyse is yourself. When you do there are obvious temptations to lie; if you analyse yourself in public these temptations are fewer. Why? Because in a certain sense you have to step outside yourself—you create a caricature of yourself [an avatar?] that splits you off from yourself. Despite yourself you’re tempted into relating, mostly, the truth.
I started off trying to say something entirely different here—how my M208 blog had helped me realize where I was going wrong—as you can see I didn’t, which is why I’ve labelled it [1].
Blogging, like forgiving, is for you. The very act of trying to write what it is that you feel/think is important. There are some spin-offs, we’ll talk about those next time…
Comments
Good point Neil
Why do I blog? Guess its because I enjoy writing as for me, its a diary of sorts. A bit of meandering around a few chosen topics and/or experiences from my life. Its really nice when others respond and I can then comment back. In what I write, I try to be upbeat and humorous as I can't do too much seriousness. I get too much of that from Work-Life and my OU blog's a bit of a refuge from that. Its therapeutic at times and I just really enjoy doing it. SharonNew comment
Know what you mean.
I've a terrible feeling that this will become a series...
arb shaz
neil
Yes please Neil. Its got me thinking.
Looking forward to the next instalment. Pray bring it on! SharonNew comment
I agree, I think it writing it in a 'public' space keeps you (I mean me) the right side on rational!!New comment
Neil,
I often read your blogs and they actually make me feel as though you're talking to me. I like that style of writing.
I also blog, only started recently, but was a bit put off that most of the stuff I blog about wasn't really 'academic' so wasn't sure if my OU blog was the place for it, so plumped for one on Wordpress.
Having got into the hang of it I can really identify with what you say about the impact that putting your words into the ether - never thought about it like that before.
Thanks for your post - keep them coming.
Jacqueline
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Here, here. With a caveat having been there. I got into this 1999-2006 and a couple of us went down the 'exposure' and 'disclosure' route opening our souls and every aspects of our lives. The read might have been insightful but I would hate to see the choicest content printed out and infront of me at an interview. The beauty of blogging back then is that it was really entirely text based and the chances are the people you developed an affinity for lived thousands of miles away. I have found it humansing and sanitising to meet a couple of people who read this. There is a desire for the authentic voice which is where any corporatese falls flat. I called it Twitter Twaddle yesterday, where an overly scripted Twitter Feed from many sources invades the piece.New comment
Well I think you have really started something with this posting, what a response! Like you I see my blog as a diary, only I do try to keep any really personal issues to myself. I know you would put these things into a private diary but I don't want the whole world to have access to my intimate feelings. They are to be shared only with close friends if at all. For more general opinions - great!
Joyce
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Jonathon and Joyces contructive caution is actually very sensible....sometimes I would do well to remember that. It's all a balancing act between sharing/communication and on the other hand not exposing yourself too much.... Interesting...New comment
I too see my blog as a journal of sorts although I do own an actual journal that I actually write in. But with the blog other people get a chance to comment on stuff and I sort of get a sense of acheivement out of it and it's really nice to see others points of views about things.
It might seem like a pour my heart and soul into the blog but seeing how no-one's actually read my journal you would most definatley see that I don't, as my journal contains, intimate family stuff, intimate friend stuff all that kind of stuff m thoughts my feeling etc. that no-one besides me really needs to know.
It's good to let things out sometimes though as you've very recently seen with my particular blog
Stacie x.
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I could do a very big post on this but I don't think that I should as yet. I blog to let the world that I am a valid character. Being amongst others whom I probably would never meet in real-life, strengthens the orientation of my identity as well as humanising theirs, to me.
I am aware that sometimes my posts are too personal but I like that I am in a community of people who wish to learn- there doesn't seem to be a credible 'social identity' as such, for people like me, so I feel it is necessary sometimes.
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Yes agree, expressing thoughts and feelings this way is helpful, also when others comment, I like that everyone has their own unique way. I like blogging here and tend to write whatever I'm feeling at the time. I thought about it and decided I don't mind if what I've written, floats around the ether. It's all harmless, I haven't harmed anyone, or myself. I think getting used to being online was the hardest for me. I used to get very upset at idiots saying ludicrous things in my name, but now even that just makes me laugh. I've got 5 and one baby rhino's nowNew comment
Well I have to add my piece and say that blogging for me has been a good self viewing experience that helps endear me to me and takes away the 'I'm not worthy' side of things. Blogging does allow others to look into my world and yet it is strange because I now know that others do read what I write, and vice versa. At first I didn't know who I was writing to but as time as passed by I find that there are others, those who I have read their blogs and feel part of a community of sorts, for which I am very appreciative of and value.
It is always interesting to know what others think and do. It does make us more human.
Thanks Neil