How Blogging Has Helped Me (And How It May Help You!)

While sharing this morning in one of the plant based/starchivore/low fat vegan Facebook groups that I frequent, I was asked the question: Has blogging helped me in my journey? The short answer … yes. The complete answer, however, turned out to be quite longer ... too long to want to post on a Facebook feed, thus this new blog post. Thank you, Cheryl L., for the inspiration.

First of all, I believe writing in general, i.e. journaling, blogging, helps with introspection and the working out of thoughts, feelings and emotions. For a person with food issues, who has been overweight literally all her life (obese her entire adulthood) and who comes from a history of food addiction and abuse*, introspection plays heavily into the journey. (*I’m referring here to me abusing food, not me being abused, though I have lived through the latter as well. That, however, is a subject for another post …  maybe.) 

Of course, I don’t put everything out there. There are some things just for the journal … some things just between me and my Maker. But I do try to be real and authentic in what I do put out there. And, hopefully, someone else may, at some time, find it helpful ... if they can actually find my blog.

Secondly, and something I really need to concentrate on, it helps me to look beyond myself and try to be an encouragement to others who may find themselves on the same journey by sharing tips and recipes, what has worked for me, etc. With no advertisements or affiliate links! (Sorry ... pet peeve of mine. Though it shouldn't be, I know. People gotta make a living.)

Thirdly, on those occasions when I feel less than enthusiastic about the food I'm eating, or am craving what many of the groups call "non compliant" food (Argh! I really don't like that terminology!), or when it seems that I haven’t had much progress, it helps to look back and realize that I’m certainly not in as much pain today as I was a month ago ... a week ago ... to recognize that not all changes will be visible. Some may be harder to discern, but they are there nonetheless.

It also helps me keep track of recipes I have tried, tweaked, and want to keep making. I want to do more of this in the future. Maybe Pinterest would make this easier … not sure. I kind of get caught up there ... sometimes ... as I do on Facebook or the internet ... sometimes. This spot is all mine. I won't get lost searching for hours here.

It provides a creative outlet for writing and photography. Are my photos food blog worthy? No ... emphatically no! Much as I enjoy arranging (playing with?) my food and choosing dishes to use for plating, and even though I have a strong desire (obsession?) to photograph my food, I have no talent in this area. I know this because I search many food blogs and see much, much better photos everywhere. I also have a daughter who is an extremely talented photographer ... something she did not get from me. I have even thought, perhaps, I should ask her to help me in this area, but it's the writing, the chronicling of my journey, not the food, that is my main focus here. That, I do believe, is a talent. (Though some may disagree.) And, as with all talents, I believe they improve, you improve and grow in them, the more you use them ... exercise them ... share them ... Don't hide them under a bushel!

So ... yes ... blogging has helped me. If reading this post, or any of the others, inspires you to begin your own, I say GO FOR IT! And, please, send me a link so we can encourage each other on the journey.