Last night I received a message from a stranger from the other side of the world. Someone I’ve never met, with no connection to my circle of mates or the karate world. But somehow, this gentleman had managed to find my blog and decided to reach out. Now this dude has a blog on the same platform himself (about woodworking), was kind enough to tell me he enjoyed my blog - not the content, but the style of writing. Sounds similar to liking someone’s kata but not the movements huh? I wasn’t sure if I should be flattered or if he was just really into reading complaints about the karate world... and people in general haha. Some sad sacks find comfort in others’ misery right? He also stated his surprise that not many people read my posts. Unlike him, the number of readers or followers is the absolute last thing on my mind. Pretty certain it’s further down my list than how to win at a creative kiai kata tournament. But then came his “life changing” question: “How do you continue writing when not many people read your blog?”
Huh…I thought. In a world possessed with likes and instant validation, it’s rather easy to assume writing becomes meaningless if you don’t gain a social media high from it. But for me, writing is and never has been about seeking validation - polar opposites actually. Writing simply gets my mental juices going, at the same time provides a therapeutic effect, much like kicking someone hard in the guts while they attempt to gasp for air. Not exactly everyone’s idea of therapy, but hey, that’s just me.
I’ve always seen my blog as a kind of personal diary. A place where I can spontaneously express myself, process my emotions (while creatively replacing the C-bomb), with zero f#cks to give about who’s reading it or how it makes people feel. It’s definitely not a marketing strategy, not about building an audience, it’s just me and my thoughts typing away. I almost hope no one reads it, but if they do, I certainly hope they don’t feel obligated to like or share. Just like this website, it’s out there in public for all to see, but does not mean I need or am actively seeking any new students…. unless they can provide free house reno services maybe.
Do things you enjoy, not for others or to satisfy expectations. Do it because it makes you happy. Why is everyone obsessed with trying to please everyone else these days? When we create for ourselves, without the pressure to impress, we give ourselves the green light to be imperfect - just like our karate journey or a kata in progress.
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