Some people have asked me if I will be continuing with this blog, and honestly I'm not really sure. I'd like to think my life is as interesting as ever, that I'm just cool enough to warrant maintaining a running public dialogue about going to the grocery store. However, the whole reason I started this blog was because I was going somewhere interesting that people wouldn't know about. I was writing about a new culture. I think it might be an entirely different thing when I'm writing about some of the same people who might be reading. Lines crossing, weirdness ensuing, all that. In the sense of audience pleasing, I think the conclusion would have to be to just end gracefully.
However, I find that I gained quite a bit by maintaining the blog. Oddly enough, it forced me to live more in the moment, so that I could write about it later. If I was at home and there was the opportunity to do something fun, something perhaps worth documenting, I took that opportunity whereas without that impetus, I might have sat by and thought, I'll just wait for the next one, I'm tired today. I did more because I was expected to provide interesting information about my life. The idea that this might be a way to push myself to live life more fully is one I hadn't previously considered, but is a very valid one. And finally, no offense to South Carolina, but I sort of thought I wouldn't be coming back here, and while I'm happy with the decision I've made, I am disappointed to feel like I'm just moving backwards. I think trying to look at South Carolina the same way I looked at Nicaragua, as though it were a new place with its own crazy culture might help me feel like I have learned something, like I am moving forward. Re-examining my own culture in light of what I've learned might be an interesting proposition anyway.
So in conclusion, I think I'm going to wait and see. If I see things that seem worth documenting, if I am able to re-examine, then I'll do so. If not, in one or two weeks, I'll be shutting down. If everyone stops reading, that's fine too, as my reasons for maintaining have more to do with me than with anyone else. But before I go, a thank you to everyone who did read for a while. Thanks for sharing Nicaragua with me. In a couple years, when I make it back down there, or to somewhere even more fabulous, I hope you'll read all about that too.
However, I find that I gained quite a bit by maintaining the blog. Oddly enough, it forced me to live more in the moment, so that I could write about it later. If I was at home and there was the opportunity to do something fun, something perhaps worth documenting, I took that opportunity whereas without that impetus, I might have sat by and thought, I'll just wait for the next one, I'm tired today. I did more because I was expected to provide interesting information about my life. The idea that this might be a way to push myself to live life more fully is one I hadn't previously considered, but is a very valid one. And finally, no offense to South Carolina, but I sort of thought I wouldn't be coming back here, and while I'm happy with the decision I've made, I am disappointed to feel like I'm just moving backwards. I think trying to look at South Carolina the same way I looked at Nicaragua, as though it were a new place with its own crazy culture might help me feel like I have learned something, like I am moving forward. Re-examining my own culture in light of what I've learned might be an interesting proposition anyway.
So in conclusion, I think I'm going to wait and see. If I see things that seem worth documenting, if I am able to re-examine, then I'll do so. If not, in one or two weeks, I'll be shutting down. If everyone stops reading, that's fine too, as my reasons for maintaining have more to do with me than with anyone else. But before I go, a thank you to everyone who did read for a while. Thanks for sharing Nicaragua with me. In a couple years, when I make it back down there, or to somewhere even more fabulous, I hope you'll read all about that too.
Comments
I think there are reasons to continue (well reasoned and already explained in your blog). The blog is a journal with all those associates benefits, yet one that motivates you because others read and enjoy it. And, if anyone could find interesting tidbits of life in SC, my bets would be on you. Actually, I'd really like to hear your perspectives of the US and SC now that you've been "outside" for a while. What do you see about us? Later, if you run out of interesting stuff to talk about, you can always come out to our house. The chickens, goats, horses, dogs, children are rather perpetually entertaining and perplexing in their behaviors.
Best wishes,
Briana