Blogging through COVID…

So, until just a few weeks ago, I had not written anything publicly for almost three years! Perhaps it was a little bit of writer’s block? Mostly it was time and motivation. Suddenly work, parenting and life in general got in the way.

So… why start a new blog right now? 

Writing has always been a little bit of an escape for me. It’s also incredibly cathartic when I need to express myself. I felt that this year has thrown to me (to everyone) a curve ball. We really are navigating an unknown right now. Writing about my thoughts, feelings and experiences is helpful for me, it enables me to reflect and sometimes calm my own anxiety by putting it down on paper (or on a blog).

It’s strange how a crisis or uncertainty seems to send me straight to my writing. I’ve always enjoyed creating stories or just even writing a diary or a journal. The last real catalyst for me was around six years ago, where I faced the early loss of four pregnancies and other fertility challenges.  A journal that kept me almost sane during a tumultuous time ended up being my first published memoir: Finding the Rainbow. From there I felt inspired to continue writing stories, both fiction and non-fiction, and for almost three years writing became my outlet and focus outside of my professional career. 

I also started my first blog, same name as my first memoir, Findingtherainbow.net.  The blog allowed me to give updates to my followers, give my perspective on fertility, trying to get pregnant and the many things that I felt created anxiety, concern, or just discussion when dealing with the highs and lows of trying to get pregnant (or staying pregnant) when Mother Nature has a different plan.

Right or wrong, I didn’t seek personal counselling during that time. My mindset was calmed through the pure connection I had with my online audience, and that was what helped me through one of the most difficult times in my life.

And so this blog, EmbracingthisStorm.com, has been created in the same vein as my prior blog. You’ll see I have a theme of rainbows and storms. My theory is that every storm leaves damage behind it, and there is always a rainbow to look forward to, as a sign of hope.

With COVID-19, we are all in the same storm. It is just that perhaps we are travelling through this storm in different boats. Each of us is riding out the turmoil in the best ways that we can (and we have our own ways of coping with bad weather). 

So, I’m back on the wagon – the writing wagon! This time is slightly different. I’m trying something new. My previous blog was such a new experience, and on reflection, I guess I was still a little gun-shy. I sometimes avoided sharing too much ‘personal’ information about myself and I was very nervous about sharing any photos of me or my family.  This time you get me, the whole me. The good, the bad and the ugly. If I want to blog, I need to be me, the real me. So let’s see where this takes us… 

Receive these posts first, enter your email below: