Blogging Nostalgia

Eight years ago my cousin asked me to start a blog. Even though I had finished my MBA just around that time, I had no clue what a blog was. Yes, the Indian education system is to be blamed!

Anyway, I thought I’ll write whatever comes to my mind. And so I wrote about books and movies and love and life. It was a wonderful time. I was not afraid of being judged. I had no stat counters to track if my blog was popular or not. There were no blogging communities. There was just a simple diary like structure on a public domain and somehow we managed to meet other bloggers.

The only awards we had back then were created by bloggers themselves. We tagged each other and put the other on a pedestal. The interviews were self-created. It was just like filling a scrap book and it was fun.

Time changed. I stumbled upon contests 2.5 years back and fell in love with them. My second or third contest participation won me a first prize of Rs. 10,000 voucher on Snapdeal. I literally had tears in my eyes!

You see, I live a humble life of a home-maker. My vocational writing is all I have. That is a choice I have made and absolutely stand by it. I have friends who love my writing, but seeing yourself being appreciated on a national platform is a thrilling experience on its own.

I use to write for the local newspaper when I was in college. We use to get Rs. 150 for an article. My father swelled with pride whenever he saw my by-line in the paper. And now, every member of my family feels proud when I win a contest. Frankly, they have no idea what I am doing online. But whatever it is, they feel extremely elated.

This year, blogging has gone to a whole new level. We had to praise a product for a contest only about once in a while, but now, there are campaigns every single week. I sometimes wonder if they take away the real essence of blogging – which was writing in a diary on a public domain. I feel weird writing about something that I have never seen or used on my tiny space in this online world. Sometimes I feel embarrassed as well!

And then there are times when I feel that it is all about exploring your creative side. Whether writing for yourself or writing for a product, we need to be true to ourselves and give our best shot. I do just that. I soak myself into a topic for some time before actually writing for it. There are moments when words don’t flow, and then I just let it be. The voucher takes out all the regret actually!

Things change with time and only those who accept these changes learn and grow. The rewards in those simpler times were different than they are now. Compliments that made your day are hard to find. But that feeling of satisfaction, that is not lost. And until we remain true to ourselves, I am sure that feeling would not go.

P.S. I am not editing this post, because that is how I use to write once upon a time. Ah, nostalgia!