What better way to start the 12 Days of Anime 2018 than by talking about my return to blogging? This has actually been one of the highlights of my year! I recently wrote about the things that I’ve been able to achieve in the past six months since coming off of my hiatus, including: increasing my view and follower count, kick-starting my first ever tag post, and writing more than 50 posts, but, boring number stuff aside, it’s also been an immensely fulfilling experience!
Firstly, since I’ve begun to write again I’ve met many kind, wonderful, and fascinating people. I know that the day will come when I’ll receive negative feedback, or “hate”, but so far I’m yet to encounter somebody who hasn’t been overwhelmingly positive, encouraging, and welcoming towards me! These qualities are especially evident in my fellow writers. I hope that I can come to know you all a bit better and that we can grow closer as friends as I continue to write! I’ve mentioned before about how I’m extremely isolated here in the US. I’m not able to drive (yet), which limits my social life, but, regardless of this limitation, blogging enables me to escape my four walls and interact with other people, which is reason in and of itself to continue doing it!
Secondly, blogging gives me small boosts throughout my day. Though it’s easier said than done, I try not to derive my self-worth from things like my followers count. That said, getting a new follower or seeing that somebody has commented on or liked something that I’ve written never fails to bring a smile to my face! There’s absolutely nothing wrong with taking enjoyment from the fact that somebody has engaged with or liked something that you’ve worked so hard on, after all…
Finally, and most importantly, I love being able to actively participate in my hobby. I was never content simply being a passive consumer of anime, gorging myself on show after show without ever pausing to reflect on or discuss them with other people. Being able to reflect on a show often allows me to fall deeper in love with it. When I’m picking apart a show, especially what makes it great, my appreciation for it grows tenfold. Furthermore, when I start watching a show with my critical, writer’s hat firmly in place, it lets me pick up on more subtle details, symbolism, and the like, that I might have otherwise missed. Even ranting about what makes a certain show stink is an enjoyable, cathartic experience! I also love the fact that, through my blog, I have the ability to influence other people (even if my circle of influence is kinda small). By praising shows I can encourage people to watch them, whereas by criticising others I can ward other people off. Both alternatives are extremely satisfying!
To those of you who have engaged with my content thus far, thank-you! I hope that you’ll come visit WWB again to read the rest of my 12 Days of Anime posts. And to those of you also taking part this year, take a moment to let me know! I’d love to check out your posts!
Watashi Wa Bucho!! 
Blogging seems to be quite helpful to lots of people in different ways. I’m glad you feel fulfilled and are enjoying it so much! I look forward to your 12 Days of Anime posting. 🙂
I mean, blogging is not without its challenges, but, at least for now, it’s still an overwhelmingly positive experience! Do you mind if I ask what you get out of it? : )
I don’t mind at all 🙂 I actually wrote a whole post about it last week, but it basically helps treat my depression, anxiety, and ADHD, and helps to keep those things manageable on the worst days so that they aren’t as bad as they could be. It definitely has its challenges, as you’ve mentioned, and it was the reason I went on a hiatus. But the benefits (which I learned after the break) far outweigh those challenges for me. 🙂
Do you find that, Do you find that, as much as blogging helps with your ADD, anxiety, and depression, it sometimes aggravates them too? During those times, what do you do?
Active participation in this hobby we all love is what keeps a fandom alive, so I’m glad I made the shift to a more analysis-based style of blogging (in comparison to the more regurgitation-based one I used in the past).
Anyways, I’m part of the 12 Days and I’ve seen some people say they’re doing it too…but if you’re ever in doubt about whether someone’s participating, there’s always the spreadsheet…
*…I’m participating in the 12 Days…(urk, didn’t proofread)
How long have you been blogging, Aria? It sounds like your writing style has evolved quite considerably!
Of course. The spreadsheet. It’s kind of amazing just how many writers are participating in 12 Days this year!