Why I Keep Blogging

One of the many surprises about writing a blog is that I just never know when a post will take off – or not. I was a bit surprised by the reaction to my recent post “When Bloggers Stop Blogging”. I didn’t really anticipate much of a reaction to that one; it was just one of those posts I had to write. 

Since then, I’ve been thinking about the reasons why I continue blogging. These reasons are not the same as why I started blogging. That’s a post for another day.

Writing a blog takes a fair amount of time and energy. It’s work.

So why do I keep at it?

The short answer is this:  I keep on blogging because at this point in time, I can’t imagine not blogging. It’s really that simple.

Of course as a blogger, short answers often aren’t enough, so…

I write this blog to honor and remember my mother. I write to honor my friend Rachel. I write to honor others lost to this wretched disease, some whom I have known and many more I have not. I write because in some small way I want to be here for those friends of mine presently living with metastatic breast cancer. I don’t want to leave them behind just because I’m presently NED. I write for the “newbies” entering into this maze that is cancer, always hopeful that when they read the ramblings from someone who’s been there it might help just a little. I write because I want to talk about cancer, grief and loss and this is a safe place for me (and you) to do that. I write because I believe we need to talk about such things. I write because readers and commenters matter to me, a lot.

Blogging is also my primary vehicle for breast cancer advocacy and opinionating (Is that a word? If not, it should be!) on any topic I care about. I keep blogging because I want to and I guess I still have more to say!

Who knew?

Blogs come and blogs go. This is as it should be. It has been suggested to me a couple of times (though just a couple) that perhaps it’s time for me to let it go, to turn the page, to write about other things. (Actually, I can and do write about others things too.)

I don’t believe another person can possibly know when the time has come for another blogger to move on, and suggesting that someone should move on – from whatever it might be – isn’t really appropriate. What’s right for one person may or may not be right for someone else.

For me it’s just not time yet. I know this in my heart. Will it be at some point? Of course.

There are a lot of cancer blogs out there. There are a lot of breast cancer blogs. Sadly, there will undoubtedly continue to be more.

Every blogger speaks from a somewhat different vantage point. Everyone’s voice is uniquely her own. Some of us are newbies and some of have a bit of experience under our blogger’s belt. We are a diverse yet similar bunch. Everyone’s cancer resume is a little bit different.

There is much to learn from one another and much support to offer and garner. There is a wonderful sense of community. It’s a safe place and I like it here.

I don’t want to give it up.

Not yet.

I plan to stay a while.

What about you?

Why do (or did) you write a blog?

Why do you read blogs and how many do you read on a regular basis?