I'm Aby; mama, wife, friend and drinker of copious amounts of chai latte. I am never too far from my camera, you see, I have so many memories to capture.
One day a couple of years ago, when I was a new mum and was unknowingly suffering from post-natal depression, I decided to start a blog. Just on a whim with no real plan or consideration. That afternoon I started what I thought would be my online baby book, a way to protect our memories from erosion over time. I wanted our daughter to know everything she could about her childhood and have a way to be surrounded by images and stories from her past. What I didn't know at the time, was just how powerful that would be; how amazing the world was that I was about to enter. How the friends I would go on to make would be the very best of friends, better than I ever thought I would have. What I didn't know, just by starting this blog that my life would totally and unequivocally be changed forever.
It started slowly, I would write about things that cropped up during our day to day lives. Not confident enough to be bold with my writing, but enjoying it nevertheless. As time went on, my love for my blog and the community grew dramatically. I met people, I met friends, I was blown away by their talent, their support and their kindness. People with similar lives and goals coming together, over their desire to share their story in their voice.
We all have a voice, we just have to know how to use it.
As my confidence grew, so did my skills and my voice become stronger. I became less afraid to publish my words and more immersed in the community. People who I first met online, became proper friends whom I would speak to everyday. The proof of the power of blogging at it's finest.
As my journey progressed, writing became my job and it easier to press the publish button without the worry of being judged. You see, your opinion matters, your opinion is what makes you unique, it is your USP. If you sit on the fence, despite the splinters you may get in your bum, you are not giving anyone a reason to read your story. So while I am not terribly controversial, I will never shy away from sharing my opinion, I will never be fearful about whether I have the right to have that opinion. As it is my opinion.
Fear can be at best an annoyance and at worst crippling. A natural instinct that can affect your life in so many ways, if you let it. It is better to be remembered for the wonderful things about you personality, not for the most basic of instincts that we all possess. People will always judge; it is more desirable that they judge you on having an opinion and not agreeing with you, than of being devoid of any conviction at all.
Your writing is your opportunity to share your story. People want to listen, so share something worth listening to.