Why I Blog

Tap tap tap. Is this thing on? Hi. World. Canada. Universe. Mythical Creatures. Random person. Neighbour. Rival. Mom. Friend. Enemy.

If I left anyone out, I'm sorry -- I'll make sure they include you in the press release....

WHY?

Why do I BLOG? Or, how 'bout we phrase it in my favourite way (I get this all the time): "I could NEVER blog, Haley. How do you DO it? Doesn't it make you uncomfortable that the whole world knows what you're thinking and what's going on in your life?"

Here's another favourite of mine: "My husband would NEVER let me blog. What does yours think of it?"

Or how 'bout this one: "What you wrote today, like, about eating disorders? That was, like, really intense. I could NEVER. Eek."

Well. I'd be lying if I told you these questions didn't make me a little anxious. I'd be lying if I told you these questions didn't make me question my reasons for blogging and ponder the freaky notion that random people are reading my thoughts. And I'd be lying if I told you these questions make me sometimes want to pull it all down, call Google and beg them to erase my name from their database -- as if Haley-O and Cheaty Monkey never existed. Ever.

But, as my readers know very well, I'm an anxious impulsive person. I HAVE taken my blog down because of the anxieties these kinds of questions trigger. TWICE. And both times, I put it right back up -- the first time, within 24 hours, and the second within 3 weeks (but, of course, with intermittent posts here and there).

Yes, I need to blog. I need to have a blog. Here are some of the reasons why (in no particular order):

• WRITING. I'm a writer. Period. I've always been a writer, loved language, poetry, words (both real and made up), stories, storytelling.
• MEMOIR. My blog is a record of SO MANY wonderful (and not so wonderful) experiences of motherhood. There are moments etched in my blog, and pictures posted, that I'd totally forget about if not for my blog.
• ACHIEVEMENT. I'm, sadly, a high achiever. My blog offers me opportunity to accomplish something every day -- something JUST FOR ME, both as a mother and an individual.
• OPPORTUNITY. Unexpectedly, I got my current job because of my blog -- a job that involves blogging and, most importantly, enables me to work at or away from home.
• BUSINESS. My blog has been a great tool for me to promote my own business -- a company showcasing genuine artists.
• SERVICE. Through my blog, I'm able to promote my causes in a positive, non-aggressive way that's comfortable for me -- helping animals and the environment by offering healthy meatless recipes to my readers, and bringing awareness, through ads and posts, to charities and organizations that are important to me.
• COMMUNITY. Oh, the friends I have made! People, bloggers, just like me, with the same writing compulsions, the same vulnerabilities, desires to do service, the same sense of humour.
• HELPING OTHERS. By writing about my experiences of anxiety, pregnancy depression, eating disorders, parenting challenges, potty-training troubles, terrible twos, adorable cats with OKD (obsessive kissing disorder), and so much more, I help people. They find my blog and discover they're not alone in their circumstances, that not ALL mothers brush their hair, sleep through the night, and lose their pregnancy weight....
• And that's...NOT ALL.

See, at the expense of a little anxiety, I gain so much. I DO so much. I wouldn't be who I am AT ALL without this blog. I'd be lost without it. I HAVE BEEN lost without it and without the talented community of bloggers who enrich my life with their writing, friendship, knowledge, silliness and love.

Questions, anyone?

This is an original blog post for Canada Moms Blog. Haley-O blogs totally un-selfconsciously, guilt-free, and with no anxiety about it whatsoever at CheatyMonkey.com, saves the world with meatless recipes at CheatyKitchen.com, sells awesome art for kids at her freshly-designed art shop KidsDeserveArt.com. She also tweets with no shame as @Cheaty.