I was talking to a co-worker about his decision to let go after 6 years, of creating a weekly podcast in his spare time. We talked about how you get in the habit of something and before you know it, you just keep on doing it.
If someone asked you why you do it, you’d probably give them the reason why you started. But if someone asked you why you still do it, or more importantly if you enjoy it, the answer might be different.
It got me thinking about why I write these weekly posts/emails. I’ll answer that question with how I started AND why I still enjoy writing them now.
How these weekly emails started…
When I started offering Yoga for Trampers in 2013, we couldn’t use the venue every week. So I would send an email each week saying class was on or not. I worried that no one was reading my emails, so I would add a helpful tip related to what I was teaching in the classes.
Sometimes I would write tips on how to do a certain yoga pose at home. I needed photos to better illustrate what I was explaining. So I started doing photoshoots with my good tramping and photography friend, Tony Gazley.
Eventually I thought these weekly emails could be a marketing tool. So I began using an email service. Then when I launched my new website, I wanted to have all the past emails available as a library of information for you and me (there are more than 200 posts). But with less subscribers than posts, they aren’t really a marketing tool. And when I thought about it, that’s not really why I write them.
So why do I write these weekly posts…
Because I like it. I like writing in general. And for these weekly posts, I like the opportunity to creatively express myself and write funny posts like marsupial breathing and proud peacock.
But it’s more than just fun. For me, it’s a form of continuing education. Writing helps me process and critically reflect on my teaching as well as new learnings. Often to write these posts, I’ll research articles and videos, or refer to books I’ve read to find expert opinion or factual background. It helps me refresh my knowledge and continually learn, and hopefully that translates to the yoga I offer – essentially these posts are a form of reflective writing. And of course, I’m hopeful that you read them and have the chance to learn and reflect too!
In fact, I like writing so much, I’m doing a bit of guest writing for YogaLight – watch this space.
