I started blogging three years ago.

Three years ago, I thought this was going to be a fad. It was just something to distract me from Tom’s deployment.

Little did I know, I would still be doing it even now that Tom is no longer active in the military.

So why do I still do it?

1. It’s a release for me. I have always enjoyed writing, and expressing my thoughts this way has been good for my soul. Through this writing, I have been able to open up about insecurities in my life (faith, work, family…). I am not sure I would have faced some things as fully if it weren’t for this space allowing me to open up. (Ripping the band aid off in some ways.) I have been able to embrace some of the hard things by just putting them out there, and found support and people relating to my issues. I don’t have to open up about these things, but I have found that having this space pushes me to be not only honest with others about the reality of life, but mostly with myself about the imperfections and to celebrate the growth.

2. I have really enjoyed connecting with others. Whether that is with my blog friends or people I know in real life, I feel that I have been able to get to know people better through my blog. It’s perfect way for this introvert to do some mass socialization.

3. Free books. Through some connections on these interwebs, I have been able to review books in exchange for a book. Yes, please! I am not going to lie that this is an awesome perk to blogging.

4. I like having a space to chronicle not only my life, but also my marriage and George’s life (which I guess are extensions of my life…). I read back on George’s monthly updates, and there are things I have already forgotten. It is great to have this space to have as a photo diary of sorts to remember our life we have made but to see what we came out of as well.

5. I enjoy it. Plain and simple. Blogging has become a hobby of mine. I like that it ebbs and flows. It is there when I need it, but I don’t feel pressured to do it every day. I get to write about things that I want to write about:  things that I am passionate about, things I find funny, things that inspire me, you know my things. So I will keep doing it as long as it doesn’t feel like a job, and I keep getting something good out of it.

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Thank you for reading. While a lot of reasons I blog seem to be for myself, I have really enjoyed the connections I have made with others by sharing my stories. Your comments and messages mean a lot to me. I do hope that by putting my life out there I am able to touch and impact others through my words. So thank you for coming to my space!

Here’s to another year of writing ahead!