I took comfort in the reliability of my diary to be there for teenage me in the top dresser drawer. All that drama, insecurity, and confusion of those teen years were poured out on those waiting pages each evening. My diary became a mute therapist in a way when I needed to get "it all out" on the page one way or the other. I pride myself in knowing that I could hide that diary very well from my sleuthing little brother. He really tried his best to get his hands on it. (This makes me wonder where that diary is now. Scary to think that it's floating around somewhere. Not that I wrote anything scandalous at all. No soap opera material there.)
So here I am each day on my virtual diary sharing bits of me with all of you. This blog is a dynamic diary because I get support, feedback, and comfort from all of your posts and comments. Compared to that little diary with a lock back in my drawer, this blog is open and encourages discussion. At this age with this mindset, my need for a diary is not fueled by a desire for privacy and secrecy. I need my blog "diary" to be a living connection with others and a catalyst for personal reflection.
I'm holding on tight to this diary. There are always pages to fill.
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Make sure to visit the other A to Z challenge participants. There are many wonderful bloggers participating this April. (And by the way, Randi, I decided not to succumb to the temptation to do a deliciously decadent (double D's) post on donuts. However, I'm contemplating a chocolate covered one right now.)
22 comments:
I've always had a journal and recorded various things in my life. I actually have stacks of them in a closet. I think it was me being an early writer and just wanting to keep memoirs.
Kelly equating a blog with a diary is exactly right!We do write about our lives don't we, in just the same way as we did in those diaries of our childhood (mine waspink with a tiny little brass lock and key I wonder what I did with it? It was probably just full of Clint Eastwood or Neil Diamond photos anyway!)
Thanks for your comment about the cover of my novel! :)
Judy (South Africa)
I feel the same. I use this blog as an expression of my thoughts too!! I call it my virtual journal. ;)
Most of my life expereiences are in my blogs, I enjoyed your post right down to the last letter.
Yvonne,
That's funny that you should mention that a blog is like a diary. Since I began blogging, I have noticed that some of my personal writing, in my journal, has been pretty much non-existent. Blogging has been a valuable low-pressure medium for many writers.
I had a diary when I was young, and it didn't last long because I never kept up with it. I never thought that way about blogging, but it's true. It's a great diary!
Those are all the reasons I treasure your blog. I love that you are so human and relatable and just kind. It makes me want to know what you're doing or thinking. I've come to love the dialogue these blogs create...it's so important - our stories as women, mothers, friends.
I still keep a diary of sorts, but like you I have transferred my diary to my blog. I love sharing with others and getting that feedback and support. The connections are what's most important to me. I feel like I have exponentially expanded my circle of friends.
I still keep a journel/diary, and have lots I have used up and kept, it's a great way to vent my feelings. I couldnt live without one.
I was a journal keeper for more than 45 years, until I really got into blogging...but I've been thinking recently of starting again, for all those thoughts that are so trivial, mean, petty, and yet so valuable to vent some way to clear them from the system.
Hi Kelly
I've kept a journal all my adult life and they are all in the loft, forgotten and dusty. This is definitely the best way to keep a journal...alive, open, global and interactive. I think there are many things that we would find difficult to share is such a global fashion, but in the main, it's the biz. D is for Definitely!
I really like what you said, I need my blog "diary" to be a living connection with others and a catalyst for personal reflection.
Isn't that exactly why most of us do this? It's true for me as well, although, I could never have said it as well. :)
Great subject for D!
Waaahaaaa blogger ate my comment. It was long and shiny, too. :(
I said, that the concept of a blog being a type of diary is spot on. A living connection. So awesome. This is a thoughtful post, Kel. And other stuff that I forget. I'm too sick to remember, I guess.
And chocolate covered donuts to boot. Pass the plate. :)
What a treasure that would be to find your old diary! If you do find it, make sure you share it with us. I have a pile of old letters that I had written to my mother when I first started college. Of course I didn't share all my secrets with my mother, but it has been interesting to read through some of them and remember the me that I used to be.
Great post! I too am a diary keeper long before I became a blogger.
I think there is a natural and obvious link between blogging and diaries...or the more grown-up "journal"
I remember my teenage diary was so blah and boring. I led a very quiet life, mostly school, sports and work.
Dynamic diary is a great name for a blog.
I never have thought of blogging being a dynamic diary, but, you know, it so is. Mostly, because of the feedback and the on-going relationships formed from your thoughts and inspirations. Yes, it's definitely like that. {Except my grammar is SO much better now as opposed to my teenage self ;) }
Great 'd' word and I too had a diary and wouldn't be where I am without it. I like the way you relate your blog to a diary; yeah, it is sort of a present day diary in all its new fangled form...now we have people that read chapters in our lives and make comments to help us along the way; what a gift!
"I need my blog "diary" to be a living connection with others and a catalyst for personal reflection" always so lively & fresh Kelly - Many thanks
"My diary became a mute therapist"...love that line! Sometimes you just need to vent w/o someone analyzing, judging, giving advice.
Ahh blogging. This has become an extension of the stacks of journals I currently own. I agree completely with you about the added benefit of comments and feedback. It is a wonderful thing. How I wish I lived down the street from you, we'd be on our way to pick up those donuts right now. ;)
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