Why blog?

I sometimes wonder why I blog. I wonder why I feel the need to share my thoughts and photos with the world. Why not just keep them to myself?

I began with Haikugirl’s Japan. It was a way of sharing my love of Japan with my friends and family, as I planned to move to Japan. While in Japan I made a lot of friends and contacts who also blog about Japan, and became a part of a J-blogging community. Even though I’m back in England now, I feel like I’m still part of that community. In fact, I’ve been adding to it by finding other people living in England who also love Japan and write about it. I love writing about Japan, taking photos of Japanese-related things, and sharing them online. I don’t think that will ever end.

Then there was Haikugirl’s World. Once I realised I would be going back to England, I thought it might be nice to have a place to write about other trips and travel experiences. This blog is still very much in its infancy, but I’ve been writing up past trips and plan to continue doing that, while also adding in any new trips. The concept of this blog is travel though, so it’s not a place where I can write often (although I do wish my trips were more frequent).

There’s also Kit Kats! – a blog about my love for Kit Kats. In Japan, I often found new flavours to post. Now I’m back in England I expect this blog will slow right down, although I am always on the look out for new flavours.

When I returned to England I needed a way to stay inspired, so I started Picturing England. This is solely a photo blog. I post one photo a day, from anywhere in England. It could be a nice view, something funny, something interesting – anything, as long as it’s taken in England.

Then there’s Only me… This blog right here has been somewhat on the back-burner. I’ve used it mainly for musings and thoughts on writing, so far. One thing I believe is really important when blogging is to keep to your theme. For example, I wouldn’t write about a trip to London on Haikugirl’s Japan, unless I did something in London which had a connection to Japan. Likewise, I wouldn’t post a photo taken in France on Picturing England. But that doesn’t mean this blog is a place for everything else that’s left over.

There are two reasons I write:

1) I have to. I have words clamoring to get out sometimes.

2) The response. I love that people actually read what I write. I get all sorts of feedback, and it’s not just from friends and family anymore. Perhaps I can help someone, amuse someone or inform someone. I don’t mind what people get from my blogs, so long as they get something.

So, this blog, Only me…, isn’t dead yet. But I’d like your feedback.

What sort of topics would you like to see me writing about?  

I’m open to challenges… Please leave your comments and suggestions below! Thanks. 😀