To Share:

I believe others can Gain Strength from my words, in the same way that I gain strength from the words of others. That’s not because I think my Writing is particularly special, but because of the values it embodies – honesty, vulnerability and acceptance – or at least I try to make it so. This blog can be a platform to put out more of these values that I want to see in the world. Another benefit is that my writing could improve by writing for an audience.

Not to Share:

“Hell is other people.”

Jean-Paul Sartre

The biggest thing I’m concerned about is that I might start unconsciously censoring myself if I know my writing will be seen by others. As much as I’d like to think that my thoughts would still be as unbound, I can’t deny that I’m much more vulnerable in my private writing than in my public speaking. On top of this, I wouldn’t want to become more self-conscious and preoccupied with the image of myself that I’m presenting to the world. It’s one of the reasons I left social media in the first place. I’m also cautious of becoming attached to numbers – visitors, views and likes could easily become sources of validation for me.

So do I avoid these challenges or embrace them? They could very well be the furnace in which I forge my steel. I’m leaning towards sharing while remaining mindful of the dangers, and doing my best to ensure they’re not pulling my strings. I can always step away at any time.