Want to start blogging?

Have you thought about blogging?  Just want to journal your thoughts but not spend a lot of money? You can get going quick, easy and free.

Start blogging now!

There is something to be said about writing every day. It makes you collect your thoughts, focus, and be a little creative. I have always wanted to “journal” just never took the time to develop the habit. I did well this week and will continue to write daily through November. Many more topics to be covered…

Let’s Begin!

One way to start this for yourself is by creating a free blog account. These can be done on many sites including:

• WordPress.com
• Blogger
• thoughts

… just to name a few.

Don’t forget, this ties in with NaBloPoMo! Please feel free to join in… For a quick tutorial on getting started with a WordPress.com account click >>HERE<<

If you want to start writing and are not interested in publishing, journaling only, you can use an electronic notebook. There are two main ones that I use:

• Evernote – link
• OneNote – link

Both of these are pretty similar and pretty intuitive to use. They can sync on multiple devices from computers (Windows and Mac) tablets and phones. Really great for taking notes anytime and anywhere. You can even use the dictation feature and speak your notes to capture your thoughts quickly.

What are the benefits?

Why should anyone start writing? A blog or journal are a little bit different and serve a few different functions.

Journal – usually kept private. Write freely and “let it flow”. Do not take time to edit as you go. Just let the words come out and let your mind run freely. This will help in getting your thoughts out, processing previous events, feeling and connecting to your emotions, let you vent, ask questions, give answers, argue, agree…  wherever your mind may take you. This helps with generating creative juices and improving your overall mental well being.

Blogging – This can start off in a similar manner as journaling. Write freely with limited editing along the way. Since a blog is typically published publicly (you can make it private) you will want to edit before you click “publish”. This is one area I am still struggling with. I really need to start the article in OneNote and “let it flow” and edit afterwards. Too often I am editing as I go and lose track of where the story is going. – Progress not perfection.

Benefits to both – Both writing methods can serve as an outlet of emotions and an expression of feelings. The ability to document a journey is awesome. I used this during my cancer treatment with Caring Bridge. This was a great way to share what was happening with many people as well as motivation for me to keep on a somewhat normal schedule.

Part of my journaling has been to document my weight loss journey over the past year. Much of this is just data as to what I weighed, what I ate, etc. I could have put a bit more detail in how I felt through each phase. Very interesting to go back and see where I was just a year ago.

During the month of November I will be writing a post on the similarities and use of Evernote and OneNote. If you want to learn more about these products and more it’s very easy to subscribe below and you will be notified as I post the articles.

A task for each of you – I would love it if a few of you sent me a note or comment on ideas for tutorials? What is something you wold like to know a bit more about? How to do something? I will help with any requests I am capable of. For those that I may not be too capable, I will be happy to research other people and alternatives as well. Never stop learning!

As always…  Truly Blessed!
-Dennis