What Inspires You?
I’d like to start by saying I hate the word “blogging”. I am a writer. I love that we as writers have a community where we can express ourselves any way we’d like and a way to easily find each other, but we’re essentially just online media, writing in our own virtual magazines.
I know that’s what blogging means, but it just sounds like something I vomited up. I used to hate blogging, before I knew what it really was. I thought it was just for parents who wanted to update their families on their lives. I just did that via email, so I didn’t see the point.
Then my friend Sarah would send me links to her blog and blogs she loves and I started reading some really great stuff online. Shortly after that, I lost my sixty pounds using the Wii Fit and it was suggested that I start a blog of my own.
I started writing September 1st of last year and wrote pretty much like I do now, only I was more conservative and self-conscious. I didn’t publish the post on my weight loss for two months, because I didn’t want my entire image to be just about fitness and weight loss. I wanted everyone to read and like me for me.
Every single thing I do I put out to the world for all to read. Every day, I think about how I’ll turn my every day life into a story you’d enjoy reading. It’s the little things that inspire me. Peeing in the shower, watching football with no pants on or posting a picture of a balls bookmark on a Wednesday.
I don’t just write to hear my own voice. I rarely even read what I publish. I never have. I can’t stand seeing myself on TV (although I adore the camera) and when I’m in a photo shoot to promote something, I have such anxieties over seeing the pictures, I usually just ask someone else to look and tell me if it’s okay.
I write because it makes me feel good. I can type better than I can talk. While I’m a great public speaker and can communicate effectively, I just express myself better through the written word. I sit down at my computer and zone out. Half the time I have no idea what it is I’m doing, as told by my Twitter bio.
I love what I do. I love this world I write in. Doing this has completely changed my life. When I’m asked what I do for a living, I proudly tell people I’m a writer. I own my own company. I make a positive contribution to society.
In just one year, I started this site, made a name for myself and have formed connections with people all over the world. I now have friends I would trust with my life whom I’ve never actually seen before. Between getting to know my readers via comments left on my sites and the power of social networking, I have immersed myself into a community of love and support.
The friends I’ve met online have been with me through some of the most significant times of my life. Surgeries, illness and recovery. You’ve helped me battle depression, you’ve laughed with me when I’m feeling good and you’ve joined me on my journey to good health through playing video games.
No matter what time of day, I can get online and find a friend. I’ve met people from all over the world since I started writing online and some of you know me better than my own family does, because you see inside my head (it’s a scary place) and I let you into my world in a way that the spoken word can not convey.
So that’s what inspires me. YOU. Every single person who wants to hear what I have to say inspires me to keep going. I love the ability to express myself through the written word and you know what? I’m a damn good writer. I have a voice. I have the support of the world behind me and you give me the drive to continue to write every day. Without you, I’d still write, but with what purpose? I really don’t know.
So thank you. All of you. Thank you for being my inspiration. Thanks to every regular reader who comments on my site and communicates with me via social networking sites. Thank you for loving and supporting me and thank you for being my inspiration.
18 Comments »
RSS feed for comments on this post | TrackBack URL | Create your avatar
That is so sweet Julie!
Do you know you were the first blog I read that in turn inspired me?
You Rock!
MommaYoung´s last blog ..Halloween Costume using stuff from home?
Well said. I honestly wanted to be a writer my whole life but lacked the confidence to do it. I’ve been blogging for about a year and a half and that really motivated me to take the next step. Just recently I started freelance writing for a couple of sites and then got hired by Examiner.com – the Raleigh edition – as their homeschool examiner. NOW I feel like I can finally say that I am a writer. I have to admit, due to one disturbed member of my family, I have had to cut back on family material on my blog and that really pissed me off because they are what makes me…ME! I hate having the limitations put on me and I am trying to deal with it. I mean, I have enough crazy crap that happens to me without them but I have actually had people comment that they miss that aspect of my writing. I’m rambling. Sorry. I do love reading what you write and hope that you continue to do if for many, many years!
Stacey´s last blog ..Would someone please tell me how to comfort this child?
thank you for writing
kyooty´s last blog ..Random Tuesday Thoughts, late
Well said! I think most people can’t understand the appeal of “blogging” until they start themselves. I know I thought at first “What on earth could I possibly have to say that anyone (besides my mother!) would be interested in?!?” I still don’t have the answer to that, but lots of comments and positive feedback on my writing has helped to build my confidence a lot! I just wish blogging weren’t so time-consuming and addictive to me!
Rachel´s last blog ..A Scourge of Suburban Wildlife
Putting the un in inspired today.
Julie, you ROCK! You are an inspiration yourself!
((HUGZ!))
Stacy (the Random Cool Chick)´s last blog ..Spinning up a Champagne Thanksgiving Turkey
Great post! And THANK YOU for your honesty – I love your blog! I started my blog to keep my brain from turning to mommy mush as a stay-at-home mom (I’ve always loved to write and view it as cheap therapy). What surprised me and amazed me was the wonderful community I’ve found in the blogosphere. It’s what keeps me going on the tough days!
Christina @ Northern Cheapskate´s last blog ..Flexible Spending Accounts Help You Save
[...] View original post here: What Inspires You? [...]
OMG!!! I have to splurge on the WII fit!!! This would be cheaper than a gym membership.
I agree that I never realized how great blogging was until you tried it….
kinda like ummm…. and the bathtube
Eileen´s last blog ..A Few Tricks….
I don’t know why I did not come here more often. I think that I thought that this was a blog where you tried to sell products. I love this statement that you make here. I will be by more often.
OTIN´s last blog ..Theme Thursday (Traffic) (Warning: Some sexual content)
You are a totally damned good writer, hon…an excellent writer!! Inside your head is not a scary place: it’s a fun and wondrous place where I go to laugh at the world or cry with you. xoxo
Teresa´s last blog ..Sherrie’s 1000th Post Giveaway!
Inspire you???? Julie you have inspired a whole host of people from all over – and through your honestly, candor and being down right funny – we have all come to care for and love you tremendously. You are a gem!
Hugs my Dear, great blog.
I usually only blog once a week, but I do look forward to it. Very cathartic!
Annette Piper´s last blog ..The beach holiday plus kangaroos
Yeah, the word blogging and blogger leaves a bad taste in my mouth. I cringe when I hear it, or when I’m referred to as ‘just another mommy blogger…’ ugh! I’m not your average mommy blogger, to be sure. I’m a writer and proudly refer to myself that way when people ask what I do all day at home, as if to say, ‘oh, you’re one of *those* women, like there’s no value in being a stay-at-home mom. But, that’s a comment for another post.
I enjoy your writing, and interacting with you is never boring.
Miss Behavin´s last blog ..Stonyfield Organic YoBaby 3-in-1 Meals: Gift Pack Giveaway
I envy you cos you have plenty of English words to use unlike me
2005 i started blogging because my daughter and I live thousand islands away from my husband. During that time networking sites are limited. I’ve been living in this online world since I was in college. I gained lots of friends too but since the paid blogging introduced in the internet everything changed into business. That makes me sad a little bit but I still keep some of my friends though. Great entry
scart´s last blog ..Please vote for Freya and Yuna in the Gap Casting Call…
Hmm well I THANK YOU for introducing me to an awesome way to get fir AND to the teitterverse!
I too love what I do(writing on my blog) though do not call it my profession as no money is made, but I do love the outlet and also have met some absolutely amazing people via twiitter and the blogoshpere.
So you are among some pretty awesome people I have “met” and hope to someday meet face to face.
Trish @IamSucceeding´s last blog ..Meat less stroganoff
I am not a huge fan of the word blogging, but I hate the word twitter and tweets even more. Sounds kinda…..dirty. Anyway, I enjoy your life. Keeps me occupied.
Hey keep it up. nice thoughts and i really loved the way you pen them down in form of your posts. Enjoyed reading ‘em