Thoughts on Blogging Part 12
Due to the ongoing Global Pandemic, many people are now finding themselves working from home or having to stay in for health or childcare reasons. Hence there has been a marked increase in online leisure activities. Steam has been hit by a record number of concurrent users and Netflix and Amazon prime have both seen an increased demand upon their respective streaming services. If you’re not commuting then you are freeing up a substantial amount of hours each week. This potential abundance of “free time” along with a practical need to channel your energy into something to prevent yourself from going “stir crazy”, presents some interesting opportunities. Many people who have previously expressed an interest in writing and content creation now have the leeway to do so. Naturally, as a writing enthusiast and a long time blogger, I am happy to encourage such activities.
I have been part of a wider content creating community for over a decade now and it struck me as soon as this situation developed that a lot of people were going to find themselves quarantined at home with time on their hands. Leisure time is usually a premium commodity these days but I suspect that a lot of people will not be prepared for such a rapid change in fortune. Plus having to work at home, possibly cheek by jowl with your entire family, is going to require some sort of “safety valve” to release the stress such confinement inevitably brings. So in many respects now is an ideal time to start a new hobby. If it is pursued in a measured way then writing, podcasting, live streaming or creating videos may well provide not only a pleasurable leisure activity but also a means to interact and communicate with others. Something that we have taken for granted up until now.
“Sod off and go and do something constructive, instead of continuously bothering me, you sweaty galloot”
For the sake of my example I shall focus upon writing but obviously the points I hope to make are applicable to other forms of content creation. Writing your thoughts down regarding any subject provides a sense of focus. Often when we marshall our thoughts it leads to a clearer understanding of a subject. It is also a process that we can control 100%. Such things are good for your mental wellbeing while we’re all in lockdown. If you start a blog and write regularly, having a schedule provides a clear routine. Structure is beneficial when in self isolation. Plus writing more often will improve your literacy skills. And then there is pleasure to be found in sharing your words with others, building an audience and becoming part of a social community. No matter how niche your chosen subject may be, there’s always an audience to be found. It is often this interaction that is the most rewarding aspect of writing and it subsequently fuels your creativity and desire to continue.
So if you’ve always toyed with the idea of blogging about your favourite games, movies or your cats, then why not grab yourself a free account over at wordpress.com and give it a go. Alternatively maybe you’ve always wanted to do some live streaming? Well now’s the time to do it. It’s not that hard to figure out. Even I’ve managed it. The same goes for YouTube. The barriers to entry are very low and there’s a wealth of online help available to get you started. It would be great to get a positive from a negative and see a resurgence in all kinds of content creation during these difficult times. And if you still need a nudge or the safety net of a community that you can draw upon for advice and guidance, then I wouldn’t be surprised if you see a lot of online communities rally and offer a helping hand. Don’t pass up on a golden opportunity. What would you prefer? To look back on 2020 as the year you were terminally bored while you holed up for 3 to 4 months. Or for it to be the year you started a new hobby that got you through a difficult period? The choice is yours.
