Since writing my very first blog post for ASweetLife more than three years ago (my sophomore year of college), I\u2019ve discovered quite a bit about myself, others, and diabetes. Some lessons I was eager to learn, others not so much. I love writing my blog and I\u2019m looking forward to writing future posts, but I just wanted to take some time to reflect on what this experience has taught me so far.<\/p>\n
As much as I enjoy writing, I get writer\u2019s block from time to time. It\u2019s tough to write a blog post when I don\u2019t know what I should focus on, and it\u2019s even more difficult when I have so much to say in a given piece and can\u2019t quite articulate my feelings properly. Often, I worry about whether readers will find what I have to say remotely interesting or helpful. As a writer, engaging my audience is one of my top priorities and something I strive to do with all materials I create.<\/p>\n
I know that some of my family and friends (hi Mom and Dad) read my blog faithfully; otherwise, my blog is viewed by perfect strangers. That being said, it stresses me out to think that people I don\u2019t know might judge me for thinking or feeling a certain way. This makes me extra sensitive to the other bloggers out there. I know it\u2019s not easy to be vulnerable, especially to nameless and faceless people. But I do it anyways, in the hopes that my openness can offer support to someone struggling.<\/p>\n
In my spare time, I like to read other diabetes blogs. There are so many talented bloggers out there who inspire me. But my exploration of other blogs leads to something that I know is a huge no-no: Comparing my diabetes to other people\u2019s diabetes. I know I shouldn\u2019t do this, but I put myself down when I read about people who have \u201cbetter control\u201d (I hate that phrase, but I don\u2019t know any other way to describe it) over their diabetes than I have over mine. When I get too caught up in this, I get burnt out\u2026so it\u2019s a habit I\u2019m trying hard to break.<\/p>\n
I read ALL comments on my blog posts. It doesn\u2019t matter if the comment is posted directly to the site or if it\u2019s on Facebook\/Twitter, I\u2019ll read it and (more often than not) take the commenter\u2019s words to heart. Most of the time, the comments are appreciative or offer kindly words of advice. But once in a blue moon, someone will leave a hurtful or judgmental comment that, depending on the degree of severity, will leave me fuming or depressed. When it comes to my personal and professional writing, I\u2019ve developed a thick skin when it comes to criticism, but I shouldn\u2019t have to face criticism when it comes to my personal thoughts and feelings.<\/p>\n
I find that writing can help me solve problems. It\u2019s sort of like talking something out\u2014as you put something into words, you can stumble across solutions unexpectedly. This has happened to me a couple times in the process of writing a blog, and other times insight from readers serves as the answer to an issue.<\/p>\n
Have I mentioned how much I love writing in this post? (I\u2019m pretty sure that was the third time I\u2019ve said so.) I get a rush from putting my thoughts into words and experimenting with language in my writing. Growing up, I wrote so often in my spare time\u2014poems, short stories, long stories, vignettes, and so forth\u2014that I miss it now that I\u2019m older and have more responsibilities that take away from time I could spend on my writing. Blogging allows me to tap into my creative side sometimes, and it has helped me satisfy the part of me that longs to devote more time to writing in my own unique style.<\/p>\n
This is the best part of blogging. It\u2019s only happened a dozen or so times over the years, but when I have someone reach out to me and say that my blog has positively affected them, I feel overjoyed. Whether they\u2019re getting in touch with me to say that they can relate, or that they learned something from me, or just to say thank you, I genuinely appreciate the time, effort, and sentiment offered by that person and their message. It makes me feel validated that writing this blog serves a greater purpose than just writing it for my own personal reasons.<\/p>\n
I\u2019m humbled by the fact that people read, and hopefully enjoy, what I have posted on my blog over the past three years. Here\u2019s to more blogs being written, connections being made, and support being offered across the DOC.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
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