Why I decided to blog again?

This is year 2020. Platforms like Instagram, Tik Tok, Facebook, Twitter and WhatsApp are the assumed channels for communication and expression of ideas. These platforms “rule” the Internet space. Blog is probably the last thing people would use in this age and time. Why create a blog? Why write on a blog? Do people still read blogs?

Around 10-15 years ago, setting up a blog and trying to write on blog was a popular thing to do. Many people would jump into the blogging bandwagon for various reasons. Some people blogged for the pure joy of writing. Some blogged as a channel of soul searching and self expression purposes. Some people blogged because of peer pressure. Some blogged for the so-called pecuniary benefits which never really materialized for the general public anyway. In my life journey, I have dabbled in blog writing for a very short period of time. Through the encouragement of a very good friend, I started a blog around 10 years ago (around 2008-2009). After writing probably less than 10 posts, the whole blog was abandoned and shoved into the abyss of oblivion. To soothe my feeling, I have provided silly and seemingly valid reasons to stop writing on the blog. On one exercise to simplify my life, I removed the blog from the cyberspace. Fast forward to Covid-19-Pandemic-MCO-era in Malaysia. I am encouraged by Yin to start blogging again. Finally we decided to start this blog “Learning Curve” as a joint blogging project. Learning from previous experience, I realized the importance of identifying the intrinsic motivation in doing something. These are some of the the reasons that propel me to write on a blog: (1) Writing is a learning process.

Different people learn with different modes. Writing is putting what you experience and know into words. It involves processing the inputs, the ideas and processes into a coherent piece of writing. Writing reveals how much we actually understand and know a certain body of knowledge. The writing process brutally reveals the “gaps” in our knowledge. Put it crudely: “If you think you know something, try putting it in writing.” Hence, writing is an apt approach for my learning journey and the “Learning Curve” theme of this blog. (2) Writing allows us to practice this craft.

Writing is a self-expression using words. Writing is communicating ideas with words. There are no other ways to improve in any craft by just reading about it, talking about it, thinking about it or clicking “Like” on other’s social media post. The only way is to just practice the craft. One learns to write by writing. This is the intrinsic motivation to write. The relentless pursuit of learning a craft means actively practicing the craft. (3) Writing helps us to process our experience.

We long to make sense of our experience and reality. We want to find meanings in what we do and what we experience. The process of writing can help us to reflect about our experience and to process through our experience. The writing process may help us to see the clarity, connection of “dots” and serendipity of our experiences. (4) Writing leaves behind memories.

I want to leave behind the story of my journey in writing. These learning, writing and musing probably will encourage, motivate and inspire someone along the way. Even if this is not the case, these writing will definitely speak to at least one person. That is my future-self. Now if you read all the way up to this point, thanks for your attention. Congratulation, you are probably one of the rare breeds in this age of distraction. Now before you leave, would you like to try writing a blog (again)? If you do start a blog and write again, do share with us.