I’ve decided guilt will play no part in this blog, or it will never survive.

When I was young, I tried numerous times to keep a journal. I would write diligently for a few days, then get busy and miss writing about some stuff then get behind and finally, just give up. For some reason I felt I had to update the journal and keep it current on EVERYTHING. The list in my head of things to write about would grow longer, and then it felt like a chore to record it all and … well, it became another thing to do instead of a real outlet for anything.

Then I realized that I had no obligation to record my life day-by-day for any reason. It wasn’t a biography, it was a storage device for all the extra thoughts in my head and the reflections on my life, and even if an event was a big deal in my life that didn’t mean I had to write about it if I didn’t want to. I barely mention my wedding at all in my journal, not because it wasn’t a big deal for me (it was!!) but because there was so much that happened that day I didn’t know where to start and it would have simply been a record of the events, which is what pictures are for. Once I realized that it didn’t matter if I put it down for a month or two and that I did not have to account for the time I missed writing, then my journal became something I have with me always, and scribble in gladly.

If you are having trouble keeping a journal or a blog and would like to start, try to concentrate on writing what you want, not what you feel you should report upon. This isn’t the news, and although updates are great, don’t beat yourself up over not writing about every event, even if it is a big one. Let the content flow out of you to create an organic collection of thoughts and art and updates, catching all the creative flow your mind can’t hold in anymore. My journals have ideas, sketches, accounts, mumbo-jumbo, funny quotes, scribbles, emotional confessions and cartoon characters. I tape in old concert tickets, cards I find funny, polaroid pictures and random stickers. I let my 2-year old nephew colour on a bunch of pages. I coloured a bunch of pages. I complain about loud people on their cell phone and write down directions to the dentist. I don’t make it pretty, I just make it full, and when it is, I start another.

This applies to blogging too - life may get busy and I may not post on my blog for a few days, but don’t give up on me and I will be back to post when there is something worth posting about, I promise.