For Thomas...

[shadesong]

Thomas asked me last week what I got out of LJ, why I post random chunks of my life on the web for the world to see. I gave the usual explanation: helps keep friends who aren't local up-to-date, the community-building aspect, et cetera. Thought of another one, too - LJ has helped me to get back in the practice of writing externally instead of internally, writing for the consumption of others as well as for myself, which has actually been helping with Shayara. And everyone's input on the bits of Shayara that I post has been really helpful.

So - for Thomas - what do *you* all get out of LJ? Why do you do it?

Comments

[m0usegrrl.livejournal.com]

i have to say that LJ has been my first successful attempt at keeping a journal, ever. i use it as a tool to vent, to post ideas and thoughts that otherwise might slip through the numerous cracks in my brain, to keep friends updated on my life. i can also look back at older posts and laugh at myself. =)

one of the single most helpful and important features, and the one i think that's helped me to keep doing this, is the feedback -- having people be able to read and comment on my posts is tremendously beneficial. the community aspect of LiveJournal, even if you don't join any of the formal communities, is so important to me. it's one of the reasons i subscribe to 50-bazillion mailing lists. this, though, is a lot more interactive, and has a nifty interface to boot. [that's the artwank and webgeek talking.]

i hope this is helpful!

[shadesong.livejournal.com]

Exactly - the feedback aspect is great! We all know I'm a comment whore. :)

Í

[gwynraven.livejournal.com]

I guess I do livejournal because writing has always been therapy for me, I work out my problems better when I put them in writing, but I've always had trouble with the discipline of keeping a journal. This way, I can work out my problems in writing, and people can comment, offer suggestions, etc, and feedback gives me incentive to keep writing. I also get to share random thoughts and such with people instead of just keeping them to myself. It makes me feel more connected, and since I have a tendency to withdraw into myself I need that.

[m0usegrrl.livejournal.com]

exactly -- it makes me feel like someone's listening.

[voltbang.livejournal.com]

I do LJ for several reasons. One is to get in the habit of writing. The next step would be something with a tiny bit more structure. Another is for the sense of community. Another is that it is my first semi-successful attempt at any sort of journal. I'm sure there's more reasons.

[gallowglass.livejournal.com]

I have this problem with massive stress-related writer's block and in the two weeks since I set up my journal, I've been writing more easily than I have been during the several months previous, which is relieving that feeling I've been getting of thoughts trapped in my head with no avenue of escape, so hopefully, if I keep this up, my head won't explode. ;-)

Also there's the community aspect. I can use all that I can get, given the isolatingly factional nature of life in my town. Well, that and I can't afford to drink in pubs, so there really is no other form of social life. <.g>

[iroshi.livejournal.com]

I've always journalled, really. It's my way of recording, for myself, the changes in my life. I look back from time to time and re-read my journals, just to see where I've been, and maybe plot the trajectory to where I'm going. It helps me understand what's going on in my head, to have to put it into words. I write easier than I talk.

The fact that it's interactive makes me more consistent with it. It also adds quite an element of trivialness to it, yeah, but it gives me the ability to track my moods more consistently, too. I wasn't able to chart my manic/depressive cycle until I started LJ'ing, and sticking all mood-related entries into a single private memory topic.

I make new friends, keep current friends more upated with my life, keep records of my life, and learn something about myself along the way. Why *wouldn't* I LJ?

Why LJ?

[charleseb.livejournal.com]

LJ has given me an outlet to express myself. While I was going through the depression over my last relationship, I was able to vent a great deal in an enviroment that allowed others to comment and to offer advice.

I have also made several friendships over LJ and enjoy keeping up with people and letting them hear about what is going on with me.

YUP.

[ilexx.livejournal.com]

see, i couldn't resist, and now i'm reading past entries of yours like some creepy stalker chick. actually i read the journals of everyone i list as friends. i mean, their past stuff. anyway. yeah. i'm Ms. Awkward Insecure tonight, don't mind me... the whole point was to say, that this is exactly how i feel about the lj business. i do keep paper journals, i write pretty much everywhere. but even when i'm writing very personal feeling things on here, it's created differently than the scribbling madness i put to paper, because someone out there is reading it. it's therapeutic, and it's good practice from a writer's standpoint.