The Power of Blogging

When desperately striving for a break from a stressful day, blogging is a much-needed getaway. Formally, blogging is a journal type entry that one posts on their personal website to express their ideas, sometimes about a specific subject, or just life in general. Many times, blogging is an outlet for unvoiced qualms, or simply a subject to be passionate about when lost in a world of schoolwork and stress.

“If I didn’t blog, I would be a lot more preoccupied with my thoughts” says sophomore Priyam Das, “I would keep all this stuff bottled up inside me. I’d kind of be more drawn in”.

While Das blogs about her daily woes, many others bloggers focus on a specific interest or passion. Junior Carly Olson has a nail polish blog that she considers to be more than just a collection of information and advice. “I enjoy writing,” she states, “And this is a chance to free form write out of English class, which is really structured.”

As a whole, blogging seems to stand for something different for everybody, some write to escape their problems, some to enhance a certain interest, and some because it is preoccupying.

Yet, more than just a hobby, blogging seems to have many benefits, and its perks make the time put into it worthwhile. “It’s a little bit of a break from reality,” says senior Dani Cutts, who maintains a fashion blog with friend Dominique Hebert, also a senior. “It really needs a lot of dedication” says Hebert, “[But] we love being able to put in our own fashion views. It’s a great way to express yourself,” says Cutts.

Blogging, even if merely the expression of emotions, is essentially writing, so one needs to reach a certain point of stimulus where they can get the most out of it. Olson says, “There’s not a lot to lose [by expressing yourself], so don’t be hesitant.”

Combined with commitment and perseverance, blogging grows to be a vital aspect of one’s life, something on which to focus, and something with which to keep up. Therefore, as a blog ultimately represents the blogger behind it, effort is put into making it an object of pride.

With success in mind, it is apparent that a proper drive is essential in writing something that is engaging and interesting to read. “Personally, my inspiration is that there are people on the internet who care about my thoughts” describes Das. Sophomore Roshanne Arathoon, who runs a tumblr account that she tries to update at least once a day, says, “A blog is almost like a diary that you are willing to share with people you don’t know. There’s a thrill in that that motivates me to write more.”

Blogging is essentially releasing emotions, the basis for so many art forms, but sometimes blogs are not made expecting recognition.

“First and foremost, to me, it’s just to put it out there” explains Das, which is in essence the same basis of expression for all artists. “Sometimes you can’t find comfort at school and when you blog, and someone reblogs you it means they feel the same way, and it makes you feel less alone in your problems,” suggests Arathoon. Perhaps blogging isn’t about being heard, but simply about speaking and having a voice in a community where opinions can be muffled and ideas overlooked. Blogging, since publicized to the world, allows room for self-expression to the otherwise shy and reserved. As long as it remains anonymous, the blogging can be relieving.

“My blog is not something that is known within my friend circle, otherwise that restricts the purpose” elaborates Das. The freedom behind blogging comes from the fact that it’s open to whoever cares to read it; it upholds the privacy factor so that one can freely express themselves without worrying about their audience.

When asked about how her work would change if she knew her friends could read the entries, Das states “I might censor my thoughts or ideas”. Blogging gives the freedom to voice whatever one might want to, but at the same time makes it especially coveted by putting it out for the public to take in. It’s desirable because bloggers know their writing has the potential to affect somebody out there reading it, and that’s thrilling. Das adds, “It’s your work, you have free reign over what you put into it, whatever comes out is a product of what you do. There’s a certain power behind that”.