Why I Chose Blogging: A Journey of Purpose and Passion

Embracing Freedom, Creativity, and Connection in the Digital Age

Your career path is a choice that defines most people’s lives. Sure there are plenty of opportunities to change careers, and I’m a perfect example. I’ve spent almost 21 years at my current job, and while I love it and the people I work with, I watch the clock throughout the workday, longing for the end of my shift so I can retreat to my personal office and write. The process wasn’t without its challenges, some of which I’m still going through now. From losing money via other jobs because of my inability to drive because of my physical condition to lack of hours outside of a six-week window of time, I’ve dealt with some professional challenges But I think that’s what finally helped me decide that writing and blogging are my future, and it’s a future I can’t wait to dive into. In today’s article, I’ll share with you my reasons for diving into this industry headfirst and how it’s made me a better writer and a better man.

The Gift of a Fully Remote Lifestyle

The first thing that came to mind when I weighed a future in blogging and freelance writing was the fully remote nature of the business. I’ve always dreamed of being my own boss, unburdened by the confines of the typical nine to five rat race. I’ve also had dreams of being able to work from wherever I want to be, whenever I want. Because of my lifelong battle with cerebral palsy, which I’ve briefly alluded to in previous articles and will probably explain in its own article at some point, I don’t drive. I work from home at my current “normal job” but that still requires me to punch a clock. Further, it limits me to being in a certain place at a certain time every work day. Blogging offers the freedom of working from anywhere, whether that’s my home office, my favorite recliner, or a cozy cafe where I can get a cup of coffee and a bite to eat while I work. It also gives me the freedom of knowing that no matter where I choose to live, I can continue my work. My dream is something you might associate with a typical “writer type.” I want a quiet house on the shores of a lake or some body of water, away from the rest of the world where I can write and just live. Blogging has the potential to make that dream a reality for me. Every article I write is a small step toward that goal. I’ve spent so much time punching a clock and living on other people’s terms that nothing would make me happier than to flip that script. For me, the remote working ability that writing and blogging affords me provides the perfect opportunity to do that. I’d love nothing more than to make it to every family gathering, every sporting event, and every milestone without having to worry about whether or not I work that night while also not having to get up at 5am every day to be done with work in time for such things. I have not yet reached a point in my blogging career in which I can replace my everyday job with writing, but I look forward to the day that happens. I look forward to the day when my personal and professional lives can intermingle seamlessly and I can explore what life offers on my own terms.

Fueling My Passion for Writing

Though there are many reasons I pursued blogging as a career path, the reason at the heart of everything is my love for my craft. I have loved to write since I was old enough to hold a pen and smart enough to put sentences together. As a kid, I was always writing something. Whether I was reporting on the research I’d done on a particular subject that interested me at the time or simply taking part in what I didn’t know at the time was journaling, I almost always had either a pen or a book in my hand, sometimes both. I had multiple teachers throughout my school days compliment my writing skills. I was always a good student when it came to intelligence, but I wasn’t always what you would call timely in turning in my homework assignments. Chalk that up to being s shortsighted twelve-year-old. I had an English teacher whose name I will keep out of this article who called me out on that score. She wrote a comment on one of my writing assignments complimenting my abilities as a writer while giving me a gentle reminder that the work still needed to be completed and submitted in a timely manner. I took the former portion of that advice instantly, though I would struggle with keeping myself on task to complete daily work throughout my time as a student. Unfortunately for my twelve-year-old self, blogging as it is now wasn’t a thing at that time. Though I didn’t take advantage of it as early in life as I could have—I wrote about this exact thing in an article a few months back, which I will link here—blogging has offered me the ideal platform to turn my love of writing into something I can do for a living. Every article is an opportunity to learn and grow as a person and as a writer, all while telling stories that matter to me—and hopefully to my readers. I love waking up every day knowing I can tell my story, enrich someone’s life, and hopefully soon make a full-time living from it. The opportunity to build a personal brand through my writing is not an opportunity I take lightly, and I appreciate everyone who has supported me so far more than they know. 

Facing My Fear of Exposure

Blogging for me is not just about sharing ideas and experiences. I’m also sharing parts of myself every time I post an article. I’ve always been better able to express myself with the written word than in any other way. I’ve always dreamed of turning that ability into a career. The one thing that always held me back was a fear of exposure. Through the process of this blog, I’ve learned that exposure is a risk all creatives take. Anytime you see an artist with a piece in a gallery, an author at a book signing, or even a blogger on a podcast, that person is risking exposure to further their career. I’ve always been a private person, and I’ve had experiences with people taking advantage of me. One particular point in my life kept flashing to mind, a time in which one person left me in fear of showing my face anywhere, online or otherwise. Every social media post was weighed heavily. I’ve always been a private person to a degree, but this event drove me deeper into myself. I was always afraid of how people would see me, so I turned to online social networking to let my personality speak for itself before my physical issues laid themselves bare. Unfortunately, the perceived anonymity of online networking works both ways, and it leaves the door open for people to take advantage of people’s kindness. I’ve allowed that to happen more times than I’d like to admit, and it has affected how I conduct myself personally and professionally. The fear of those things coming together set my career back farther than I’d like to admit. I’ve discovered, however, that growth as a writer and as a person is on the other side of those fears. In creating this blog and sharing my thoughts and knowledge that I’ve gained about writing and literature through research and passion, I’ve challenged myself to confront the fear of over-exposure head-on, embrace my own authentic brand, and let my voice be heard. Over the past year, I’ve discovered an overwhelming sense of freedom in opening up, and it’s helped me grow both personally and professionally.

Connecting with Other Creative Minds

The best part of any creative venture is connecting with other creators and other like-minded people. I’ve been a member of many writing and blogging groups on Facebook for a while now. I have learned a lot by asking questions and interacting with people all over the world. I’ve also met some incredible independent authors through networking. Engaging with like-minded people, whether it be through messages, post comments or book reviews, the thing I’ve enjoyed most, even more than the prospect of doing what I love for money, is interacting with people who share my passions. Though I’m a bit of an old soul and not a fan of social media in most aspects, social media has given me, as well as other writers and bloggers, a new perspective and new avenue to reach readers all over the world. The connections I’ve developed provide me with an ongoing source of encouragement, inspiration, and motivation.

I have connected with many independent authors during my writing and blogging journey, but none have been more supportive as far as published authors go than Daniel Georgiev. Daniel is a Bulgarian fantasy author—he can fact check me if he reads this. While I admit fantasy hasn’t always been my thing aside from Stephen King’s Dark Tower series and a few books, I read in high school, I gave Daniel’s books a look because of his personality, his willingness to interact with and encourage fellow writers. We’ve done weekly word count goals together and talked about the craft extensively, mostly through the comment sections on his Facebook posts. I’ve learned a lot from Daniel about persevering through doubts and continuing on for the love of the craft. We don’t know each other personally, but I feel I’m a better writer for knowing him as I do. 

When I think about fellow writers who have influenced me, there is one in particular who stands out. I’ve mentioned author T.H. Figg before, but her name bears repeating because she helped to convince me that I did indeed have a talent for writing and should pursue it. We have had many conversations, both personal and professional. Even when I refused to believe it, she continued to encourage me and compliment my writing ability. I will owe her a debt for as long as I make this my career. She not only inspired me, but made the path irresistible. So if she reads this, thank you.

Other Reasons That Make Blogging Irresistible

While the reasons I’ve given above are foundational, there are other aspects of blogging that are constant reminders of why I chose this path.

• Limitless Learning: Blogging keeps me thinking, keeps me paying attention to the world around me. Whether it’s a new topic, discovering new trends, or experimenting with multimedia or other forms of expression, there is always something new to discover. As an example, I’ve learned organically through the process the best ways to set search descriptions and custom permalinks to make my content more visible, though as this article is being written, I’m still fighting with Google about indexing, and issue that will likely resolve itself. 

• Creative Freedom: Unlike your traditional nine-to-five job, blogging allows me to take full creative control. My content, style, and message are mine alone with no external pressures or constraints. Every word in every post is authentically and unapologetically me.

• Building a Personal Brand: This was something that scared me at first. The thing that held me back from consistent writing and posting was a fear of exposure. Over time, however, I began to see the potential impact of what I had to say and those fears faded. I know now that visibility will lead to opportunities, whether they be partnerships, collaborations, or simply an opportunity to help someone along the way. 

• Making an Impact: That my words can inspire, inform, or comfort someone on the page makes it all worth it. Even a single comment from a reader, or even a friend or neighbor who says “I read your latest article and really found it interesting” helps me see the value in what I do and makes it even more worthwhile.

Conclusion: Blogging as a Life-Transforming Choice

To me, blogging doesn’t feel like a job. That’s the reason I do it. It doesn’t feel like work. It’s more of an adventure. Every topic that comes to mind, every article that takes shape, is its own experience. By embracing the freedom of working whenever and from wherever I choose, fueling my love for writing, facing my fears, and connecting with people with similar passions, I’ve found a career path that feels less like a job and more like a calling. I encourage you to take that step as well. Find what calls to you. When you find that one thing that consumes your entire being, you’ll find, just as I have, that it opens doors you did not know were there.

Have you found your calling? Do you have a blog or a website that showcases your individual talents and passions? Let me know either via the contact form on the main page or by leaving a comment down below. I’d love to have a dialogue about your passions and how they enrich your life.