When we began the Blogging With A Purpose track at Blogchatter, our intent was for us as content creators to give our blog a valuable purpose. We could have a niche blog or a blog that covers multiple topics, but at the end of the day, the journey feels wholesome when we are able to give back in a way that would inspire someone’s life, maybe by talking about a cause close to our heart. Even though I had thoughts to share, they were words and I just couldn’t find a way to string them together.

This was a couple of years ago. We went back to the drawing board and pondered over what more we could do. During our research I realized how much goes into writing for a cause- the terminology, making sure we keep everyone’s sentiments in mind, the credibility of sources, and of course, if it is personal- are you ready to talk about it? I have been contemplating for a long time on whether to share my disability journey on my blog. I remember reading Suchita’s post on how much of ourselves to share on our blog when it comes to a topic as sensitive as mental health. And slowly, the confidence emerged as I saw so many from the community taking the step too. Like Sona had said in one of her posts, the role of a community is important in your mental health journey. I was terrified when I was about to post a very personal piece on when I was in a very dark place, but by now I knew what a safe space CauseAChatter is and it was okay to talk about my experiences. The overwhelming response I received made me a little stronger, a little braver than I was before.

Reading what causes the community is concerned about has also given me insight on how we are all one, sharing similar ideas, the willingness to unlearn and relearn so we become better and more conscious people. This, in my opinion is the biggest success of CauseAChatter

I have to leave you with this quote by Joey from Friends not just because it made me laugh remembering his epic speech but…

“It is a love based on giving and receiving as well as having and sharing. And the love that they give and have is shared and received. And through this having and giving and sharing and receiving, we too can share and love and have and receive.”

…because there is more to it than that. Although CauseAChatter is about championing relevant causes, sharing your viewpoint and giving to the community, it is also a healing process like it has been in my life. My victory is being able to talk about mental health on my blog in a way I only wrote in journals tucked away for nobody to see. Moreover, if what I write gives hope to even one person, I know it was worth it. For this has added a new purpose to my blog and given me a voice I never thought I had!

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This post is part of Blogchatter Half Marathon and Cause A Chatter – Mental Health Talks. Perhaps you can sign up too!