There are many benefits to writing on a blog. One is the opportunity to clearly see the past as it was in the moment–not a revisionist’s version of it. I am able to look back to read what I was doing, how I was feeling, remember my greatest fears and biggest frustrations. Last night was one of those moments when I had an opportunity to remember what life was like when I started Naked Girl in a Dress three years ago.
Between writing, managing the revenue aspect, and being a one-woman social media manager for the site, I rarely have time to work on updating and tweaking the site. Last night, though, I set aside time to review and update the About page.
What I discovered was the story of my split and how I was trying to find my way as a single mom. After reading the About page before starting to re-write it, I realized how much life has changed since writing that page several years ago. Over the past three years I have slowly been growing, learning, and developing into the person I am today. I have started a business, graduated from professional photography school, become much more proficient at home improvement projects, improved with work-life balance, dated a lot, and found my Mr. Perfect. While the old description of me was about my struggles as I worked through the divorce process, the new About page shares the progress from there to here as well as my newest adventure: blending a family with five children as my wedding date approaches.
The separation and divorce process clearly defined me at the time I started this blog. Reading last night how I described myself then no longer seemed relevant. While re-writing the About page was an upkeep task that was overdue, the project became much more than that; I was able to see clearly where I have been, and compare it to where I am now. I am so grateful for each moment and experience that brought me to where I am today, but I am so excited about this new chapter in my life. Growing my business, writing more, marrying my soul mate, and being a mom to five. So many good times await me.
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I definitely think being able to go back and re-read things I’ve written as a means to re-evaluate myself is a valuable aspect of my blog. It can be a timeline that shows where you’ve been, emotionally, and where you are now, if not a road map illustrating the different places and themes visited along the journey. Thanks for sharing, Kelly.
Thanks for visiting. Great insight into the opportunities we have with memoir-style writing in this medium from you as well.
That must have been a fun revision to write. Okay, maybe “fun” is a bit strong, with all that 3-years-ago stuff staring you in the face; how about “satisfying?” And a nice post resulted from the process! Cool.
I’m afraid to look back a whole lot, yet. I was in the throes of the longest unemployed stretch of my life, and the darkness often showed through. Soon, though…
You bring up a good point–the darkness that exists in our past, too. There are posts I no longer allow myself to read. I honor the place I was at the time of writing by leaving the words in place, but it doesn’t mean I have to read them (and relive the experience) anymore.
What a wonderful realization! I haven’t kept my blog long enough to compare “old me” to current me but I bet rereading that post must have felt like you’ve stumbled upon a time capsule. Very inspiring to hear that you are doing so well. I am curious to read your About page.
It was fun looking back, Katia. I also felt a sense of accomplishment to know everything that went into the transformation for me. I was faced with so much uncertainty with two young children along for the ride. We made it! That’s what I think at times.
Awesome! I am happy for the moments that await you.
Thank you so much.
That’s very cool. I love it when perspective gets dropped in your lap like that.
Me too. I always take advantage of it, analyzing where I have been and where I am at that moment. Such an educational experience and makes us wiser in the process.