Blind faith and blogging
According to The Great and Powerful Oz—I mean Google—blogging first started in 1999 (yes, my dear millennial readers, I’m talking about the same century that brought us the television, personal computers, an economic depression, two world wars, and put a man on the moon). While many view blogging as just another routine source of communication between ourselves and the world (and some others will Google to word “blog” just to decide if I, I mean they, are using the correct form of the word), it is entirely new to me, and I am filled with equal parts curiosity and excitement as I am horror and dread.
It's not that I am unfamiliar with blogs; there are a few that I follow and thoroughly enjoy reading. Rather, it is perhaps the uncertainty of what it is this blog will be for my readers and me. My husband is waiting with eager anticipation for me to start writing, convinced my wit and sarcasm will relate. While my brother-in-law has for years encouraged me to start a blog with the same blind enduring faith that a parent has when believing little Johnny will one day grow up to be a Kung Fu master because he karate chopped his way out of a tent made of toilet paper. Lord, bless them both.
While researching other blogs, both in the mental health space and not, I noticed that most were written from a personal or a professional perspective. Each either informs the reader of the blogger's ideas and opinions with a hint of facts and information, or the focus is primarily facts and instruction, with maybe a sprinkle of personality from the writer. And here lies my first conundrum, I want to do both. This leads to my second challenge; as a licensed mental health professional, who is committed to helping others and easing the stigma of mental illness, how does one create an interesting and informative blog that is equal parts wit, compassion, education, and relatable? It’s like asking for a giant ice cream cone that won’t melt, or for a better ending to Game of Thrones…it’s not impossible, it just doesn’t yet exist.
I hope to share with you, the reader, a blog that makes you laugh and smile, think and inspire. I imagine at times the subjects I cover will be more serious and at other times lighter—much like life itself. This tiny blue planet we all live on can be harsh, people can be cruel, and judgment from others feels never-ending. Fortunately, there is also so much beauty all around. If you are a current or future client of mine, I look forward to exploring life’s challenges with you. And if you are not a client of mine, I hope you are challenged by my blog posts to live a life of health, love, and humor.
Hang in there, folks. We’re in this together.
As a side note: This first blog post is dedicated to my husband. Because of his relentless and overwhelming excitement for my first blog post, it led me to reconsider blogging completely. However, after I came off the proverbial ledge, his encouragement also challenged me to create something that encompassed my passion for mental health with my wit and sense of humor. Ultimately, if this is a failure we can blame him. Love you, babe.