As someone who has curated blog for over fifteen years, without a shred of advertising to keep it going, I have reflected on the purpose of keeping my blog and why I continue to write. I wanted to share my thoughts on the significance of keeping a blog in 2023 and what it means to me personally.
Connecting with Like-Minded Individuals
At different points in my career, I have connected with like-minded individuals who believe in teaching as a craft. More often than not, I have teachers who are professionals are work what they need to get the job done. The space for critical reflection is often lacking, and so I have found myself writing more when I experience less conversation in real life.
Documenting Personal Growth
Another reason why I still keep this blog is to document my personal growth over time. Looking back at my older posts, I can see how much I have grown and evolved as a person and as a teacher. The depth and detail of my planning have waxed and waned as I seek ways of being expert, but efficiently.
At times I have seen ‘efficiency’ as a lack of commitment or skill; the drive towards efficiency is a true sign of expertise, with time once spent on grinding planning instead spent on personal nourishment and improvement.
Creative Expression
Those who can, do. Those who can’t, teach. Those who can’t teach become consultants. While blogging is also a form of creative expression, it is fairly banal because there is not the direct engagement with my audience I once enjoyed.
Still, sharing my ideas and opinions with those few readers who seek some inspiration makes me want to write more (30k hits a month still!).
In conclusion, keeping a blog has many purposes, including connecting with like-minded individuals, documenting personal growth, creative expression, and sharing knowledge and experience. For me, blogging has been a rewarding and fulfilling experience, and I look forward to continuing to write and share my thoughts with others for many more years to come.
