Throughout the past few years, personal blogging has been on the rise. With people covering everything from DIY home projects to political views, blogging is a great way to express your passions in a public environment while also having the option of anonymity. It builds support groups, creates segways to jobs, and gives people a place to be themselves.
A type of blog that is becoming increasingly popular is the college blog, for people who wish to share their collegiate experience. It helps transitioning students explore and understand themselves through sharing their experiences and thought processes with others who may be going through similar situations. Two students of California Lutheran University, Victoria Lahney and Dani Kluss, were both inspired during their first years to start a college blog. When asked what motivated her to start up her blog, Dani claims it was, “An attempt to be creatively fulfilled.” She encourages people to start a blog, because it, “Helped [her] realize who [she] was.” Victoria shares a similar story, though she started her blog to keep family updated on her college experience. She has recently switched to her own domain, which is linked below, and is now part of a blogging network through Her Campus. Through her blog, her main goal is to, “have someone say, ‘I started a blog because I read one of your posts and it inspired me to start my own.’” One thing both girls agree on is that with a little effort and patience, blogging is a fulfilling experience that is worth every deadline.
Another blog type is a lifestyle blog, which highlights an aspect of a person’s life which is either unique or something they care deeply about. Julia Toronczak, of University of California, San Diego, recently started a blog to raise awareness for physical and mental disabilities, while also following day-to-day activities with her twin brother, Michael, who was diagnosed with Down Syndrome at birth. She explained to me that “90% of unborn babies with Down Syndrome [are] aborted,” and she thought that starting her blog, Beyond The Waves (linked below), would help rid people of the negative image of disorders by sharing Michael’s progress. Julia claims that she, “[feels] like Michael was destined to be [her] brother,” and the support from her blog keeps her spirits high that she is doing something with that gift.
Are you inspired to start a blog? Tumblr, Blogger, Weebly, and WordPress are all great (and free!) ways to start your own. If you become a more avid blogger, some blog sites such as WordPress can help you eventually set up your own domain.
Thanks for reading, and don’t forget that suggestions are always welcome! What’s your forte?
Dani’s Blog: http://danidearest.com/
Victoria’s Blog: http://toriinthousandoaks.com/
Julia’s Blog: http://beyond-the-waves.weebly.com/
Suggestion Survey: http://goo.gl/forms/8HcSkF1KK1