5 Reasons I Blog, and Why You Should Too

February 21 is my 1 year “blogiversary” (yes, that’s a thing). In celebration, I’ll be writing a short series this month on blogging. I’ve learned so much in one year, but there is still SO much more to learn. I hope this series might encourage some of you to start a blog and give some helpful tips if you’re a new blogger. Here are 5 reasons I blog, and why you should too:

1. Accountability

I shared here, in my very first post, my main reason for starting the blog one year ago. In the beginning I wrote once a week with a before picture of a decluttering project, and then the following week I posted an after picture of the same project. It was a simple format that helped me focus on completing a task, and also process the thoughts I was having while decluttering. When I first started there were many rationalizations and realizations whirling around in my head and writing it down helped settle them and bring clarity.

Now I am writing and sharing my monthly goals along with the progress of our larger and smaller decluttering projects.

2. Community

When I started blogging I was sure there were people like me who yearned to see others working through the process of decluttering and simplifying their lives. I have been honored to interact with so many people through this blog. Many are still in the process of decluttering and re-evaluating their relationship to stuff, just like me. I call myself an “aspiring minimalist” because I love the values of minimalism but I’m not there yet. I’ve loved sharing my journey and gaining encouragement from groups such as this Facebook Group.

Since I’ve recently started budgeting, I’ve been reading and interacting with many new readers who are also trying to budget and live well while practicing frugality. When you’re trying something that feels difficult, surrounding yourself with others who are doing the same thing is priceless.

3. Encouragement and Authenticity

There is so much on the internet that can make us feel discouraged — uncluttered and perfectly decorated homes, fit bodies, and stories of great financial success. I am pretty inspired by those stories, but they feel so far from my reality. I wanted to show my “mess” so that others would be encouraged to face their “mess” as well.

The goal of the blog isn’t to stay in our mess — but to make small changes that eventually become habits. Blogging about my struggle to make decluttering, praying, meal planning, and budgeting daily habits hopefully encourages others that it’s never too late to start making changes.

I’m in my 40s and still learning how to consistently implement the daily habits that many young 20 something wives and moms are blogging about. There’s a part of me that wants to kick myself and say, “You should have that down pat by now.” Decluttering negative self talk has been a large part of this journey to simple. My mantra around here is progress, not perfection. We can all make progress — perfection is a myth.

4. To make a Side Income

I didn’t start blogging with the intent to make money, but it is one benefit of blogging. There are bloggers who are making a little bit of money (me) and there are bloggers who are making a great full-time income (not me).

Since I work part-time and my husband is currently unemployed, making money from blogging will be a focus this year. Don’t worry — every blog post won’t become a sponsored post in hopes of earning a dollar. However, I will be accepting sponsored posts, that our family already uses and is in line with our values.

5. Writing is Healing

I worked with a principal who gathered the staff together for morning prayer before the children arrived. She would stretch out her arms and wiggle her long fingers while saying, “Touching is healing,” and we would grasp one another’s hands in a circle of prayer.

I find writing is healing. Growing up, I always kept a “diary” or a journal. I lost the discipline and joy of that somewhere along the way. Blogging is getting me back into a regular habit of writing.

If writing isn’t your thing, there is “vlogging” (video blogging) or podcasts. Personally, the idea of putting myself in front of a camera or microphone makes me break out into cold sweats.

Read Next: How to Start a Blog

Have you thought about starting a blog? If you’re already a blogger, why did you first start blogging? I’d love to know!

Originally published at settingmyintention.com on February 5, 2016.