Welcome

Hi, bungalow friends!

About once a year, I like to organize my blog a little (check out the new format!) and remind myself of why I like to blog. I’ve gained quite a few new followers since the last check-in (and I go back to school tomorrow), so I decided now was a good time to review.

I like to blog for many reasons. For starters, it’s a way to practice creative writing. I have to write so many case notes and reports and (soon) a dissertation, so it’s nice to have practice putting words together and checking how sentences flow. It’s also a creative outlet. I spend a lot of time doing pretty usual life stuff like driving to school, sitting in meetings, getting haircuts, and washing dishes which makes it fun to take a pause and involve myself in something different than just saying “thank you” to the person who brings me my Starbucks tea.

Blogging is also a way to express myself. As an introvert, I usually need a while to organize my thoughts and think about what I really want to say. By taking the time to roll ideas around in my head before typing them out, I think my posts are a pretty honest reflection of who I really am. I am thrilled when I am able to connect with people on a more personal level through thoughtful written words instead of impulsive verbal responses. I also use blogging as a way to engage in my community. I enjoy highlighting different restaurants and activities as a way to be a part of the new and exciting things happening in my (pretty awesome) city.

I think the main reason I blog, though, is that it provides documentation of my life. It forces me to reflect on the positive and not-so positive events that take place on a daily basis. It reminds me of the new recipe I tried or the gathering I hosted or the restaurant we visited–all things that may have ordinarily been forgotten. My blog is a silent witness that “things are happening” and that my life is more than just sleeping and eating and going to school. Blogging empowers me to escape a rut and build memories and practice a healthy rhythm of pause and reflection.

As much as I would love to grow my blog even more, I don’t think I’ll ever really care about “being on theme” or “establishing my brand” or “creating catchy titles” because those are not my goals (although I am available for consultations and partnerships). My goal is to provide a welcoming space through my personal adventures and hopefully encourage others to take the time to curate their own bank of memories and explorations.

Thanks for being along for the ride!