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Thursday, September 12, 2013

How Blogging Has Impacted My Life

1. The Community

Chances are when I'm talking about my "friends" to someone in real life, I'm talking about someone I met through blogging. The cool thing about the blogging community is that that's exactly what we are. A community. We live in different neighborhoods and towns and even countries, and have our own style or team we cheer for during football season, but we're also like-minded in that we're bloggers. We're a special breed. We have our own inside jokes, hashtags, and names for Starbucks drinks. I was in a sorority in college (and have even found sisters from across the country. ASA's, where you at?) but the sisterhood of the blogging community is unlike any other. It really is too bad we can't all live in the same neighborhood and have PLL viewing parties.

2. The Friendships

In addition to #1, the greatest part of this community has been the friendships that have developed. Not only have I "met" so many wonderful women around the world and been inspired by their stories, but the connections I've established are incredible. I've connected with some of you over our joint love for Pretty Little Liars (I mean how many times can I mention it in one blog post?), or us making our dreams happen no matter what it takes, or even over the losses of our moms. Shoot, you know blogging friendships are the real deal when you meet someone via blogging, happen to move to the same state as them like a year later, and in no time can call them one of your best friends. Not to mention the picture collages that will happen:

If you don't already know Ashley, stop by her blog and get to know her. She's one of the realest, funniest, genuine-est people I know, yo. (I threw in the "yo" for Ash because we're homies!)

And if you're in Southern California (or even Northern California!) and we haven't met up yet, boom... let's make it happen.

3. The Writing

Writing has been my passion, always. I cannot imagine life without writing, similar to how I almost cannot imagine life now without blogging (even if the posts aren't as frequent anymore.) But blogging is more than just writing. It's sharing and connecting. Blogging was there for me when I went through two of the most heart-breaking times in my life that I will ever go through. Not only was I able to express my thoughts and emotions through words, but people like you were there to read those words and to offer me your support.

4. The Realizations

Most importantly, I saw how my experiences and lessons I've learned have struck a chord with some of you, whether you're a friend, a former schoolmate, or a complete stranger. To know that reading about something that's been on my mind lately or about one of the struggles I had to get through has actually helped some of you... that has changed my life.

At the end of the day, all I want is to help make this world a better place. And if I help by giving someone the support they need when they reach out about an abusive relationship or the loss of a parent or how the heck to move across the country alone, well... what more could a girl ask for? :) Blogging helped me re-find myself, my passions, and my purpose.

Blogging. It's changed my life. For good. And for the better.

8 comments:

The Pink Growl said...

I couldn't agree more! The support we get from each other is unreal and hard to explain!

Miss Chelsea said...

I love this post. I don't know about you, but some of the girls I call my best friends now, I met through blogging!

Ginny Williams said...

Hi Chelsea!

This is a great post about blogging and the impact it has had on your life.

I'm envious that you have met and become great friends with bloggers. I have been to ONE blogger meet-up group here in Raleigh and it was an amazing experience.

I hope that some of these girls will become dear friends to me over teh years like some of your blogger friends have.

Blogging has changed me in the sense that I don't like Facebook anymore which I NEEEEEVER thought would happen to me--I used to be ALL ABOUT facebook. I don't yearn to connect with old highschool/childhood friends anymore since I'm a blogger now. I want to meet NEW people...even if I will never meet most of them in REAL LIFE, I still want to meet and connect with them online. I love blogging and it has seriously improved my writing and interest in reading books as well.

Love blogging. Your blog is great. Keep it up:)

Ginny
www.buttergirldiaries.com

Anonymous said...

Love this!!! Couldn't agree more with everything in this post. I love the blogging community, they are always supportive and always helping me see the light in everything :) And PLL, ugh obsessed!! I would defiantly be down for a viewing party :)

Preppy Girl Meets World said...

Alpha Love! <3

Anonymous said...

Yup, that pretty much sums up how I feel about it too!

Unknown said...

Love your post and totally agree with you. Blogging can inspire and teach many different things :)

http://golovelife.blogspot.co.uk

sue said...

You're so right Chelsea! And in a lot of ways - the friendships you make from blogging - are deeper and more authentic than some of the people you meet in real life.

We put ourselves out there - tell about our hopes, dreams, fears -- and the people who relate are the people who are drawn to comment! We don't have the same feeling of rejection as when you get up the nerve to "tell your story" in real life... people are too worried about what others will think... and the "realness" is lost! I LOVE my blogging girlfriends - and am grateful for those meaningful, support relationships - even though most of us haven't met each other in real life.....YET! :)