In 2006 through till September 2007, I felt loneliness that I hadn’t felt since my freshman year in college. A loneliness, that despite my loving relationship with now fiance, encompassed me to the core. Lacking people to share the ups and downs and tribulations of a post-graduate life.
Then I started blogging.
Then I started connecting to my “freaders.” Because to me, I don’t have an audience per se, I have readers. And friends. I’ve always written for myself. I’ve never written anything I wouldn’t otherwise share with my mother, and I would never post something I didn’t want my employer to read. Aside from previous posts about my unhappiness in my former job, I rarely, if ever, write about the workplace. Not worth the risk.
This weekend, I attended my first blogging convention, BlogHer 09 in Chicago. Breaking so many barriers for me. I connected with girls – nay, women – who I had been reading for the better part of two years. Women who shared the ups and downs – my engagement, wedding planning, the harsh reality of unemployment, and everything in between.
Their stories inspired me, they made me laugh, made me cry, and while I can argue about the tendency to err on the basic side of the forums/break out sessions, meeting the bloggers who have virtually held my hand when I needed it most, made every penny worth it all.
Would I go to blogher again? Absolutely.
Blogging for me, isn’t about getting the most numbers. It isn’t about getting sponsorship, or making money off ads. It’s about the community. The people you meet, that you read. The commraderie.
Sure sure, I do want to be published. I admit that. Am I using my blog to get there? Yes and no. I’m using my blog to make myself a better writer. Despite what some may say about my writing, I’ve found my voice. But my blog? Is my place. My little corner of the internets if you will.
Bloggy pals – the ones I met this weekend and the ones I have yet to meet – you all make blogging worth it. Putting myself out there to be judged, to be scrutinized but mostly, to be embraced for me.
This? Is my virtual thank you.
See you all at BlogHer 2010!!!
