Why I blog

So the other day I was sitting in my hotel room on an overnight thinking of all the stories I could blog about when I stopped to wonder why I even blog in the first place...

I know that I have always loved to write. I starting writing stories and books all the way back in Elementary school. I was sure that at some point in my life I was going to publish a book (and that is still on my dream list along with shooting photographs for National Geographic). I had a different blog in college... It was filled with inspiration and ideas and frustrations. It was the blog of an artist trying to find herself. The last time I peeked back at it, it was actually quite beautiful to see where I had started and where I ended up. Its like I found a journal- one that wasn't hidden, but open so anyone could look.

This blog came about a bit later after I started flying. The main purpose was a sneak peek into my life for all my friends and family to keep tabs on me.
Since they were in Ohio and I was working out of JFK in New York AND the fact that not many people understand the job or the things we see and do, I needed them to understand my life a little so I didn't become unrelatable. While everyone else was out getting engaged, buying a house and planning a wedding... I took off for a life of reserve, crashpads and last minute trips to Italy and Mexico.
However, the thing is, they didn't really read my blog. A few friends do every now and then, but it wasn't what I imagined. So, I just wrote what I felt inspired to write, what I wanted to remember later on when I read back through.

Then, a funny thing happened... I got a few followers who were also Flight Attendants and all the sudden I was pulled into this wonderful internet family of Flight Attendants from all over the world and all different airlines, who are so different but all so familiar as well. It felt like my blog had found a home.
However, after a while that warm fuzzy feeling I had led to a few doubts about my blog. Was it interesting to read? Should I write more about the planes? Less personal stories? Should I not air my frustrations? What about photography? Am I too vague? Do I have a focus? I have so few followers, does that mean it's boring? All these questions flew through my head as I tried to think up things to write about...

After a few weeks, I decided that worrying about what others might want to read was not good for me or my blog. I was me and my blog was me and that was that. If people like it and found it interesting that was great, if no one comments for weeks, thats ok too. I am going to let my blog be what it is and take the stories as I am inspired.
I will air my excitement, frustrations and laughter like I wear my heart on my sleeve, I will let the world into my little slice of life, I will love those I have met in person and online who encourage me and give me sense of acceptance, I will keep posting my photos because I love to share the beauty in life to others and I will continue writing stories for myself, my friends and family (who really should read this more often) and for all my fellow bloggers. I will just be me.

Why do I blog? Because I love it.