Dear Diary.....

Confession time - when I was 20 I had a big clear out and binned all my childhood diaries.  Yep - everything.  From my first proper diary when I was 9, detailing the daily happenings on my grandad's farm (typical entry: "counted the cows, 44, good - none missing") to the teenage years, which seem to be preoccupied with what I'd eaten/watched on tv that day, rather than any major teenage rebellion. 

Luckily, the morning after my mass tidy-up I had a change of heart and raced down to rescue the diaries from the bin before the rubbish was collected.  Ever since then they've sat gathering dust in my mum and dad's house, 500 miles from where I now live.  But I'm comforted to know that they're there and am so thankful that I didn't lose them forever.

My early 20s are a bit sparse in diary terms, I guess adult life got in the way - studying, boyfriend, first proper job.  But this year I've resolved to keep a personal diary and so far I'm doing well - writing up each day faithfully before bed. 

And now I have the blog too - just in case I decide to have a clear out again!

January Blues

I've started this year with a dose of the January blues - feeling ill and sorry for myself, tired of the long dark nights and already counting the days 'til my next holiday.  One day in work I stumbled across a couple of blogs which instantly lifted my mood.  They offered inspiration, ideas, and the chance to peek into the lives of others - what's not to like?!

After reading lots of different blogs over the last few weeks, I have challenged myself to start writing my own posts - and make 2013 (and beyond) a time of inspiration, appreciation and adventure.... 

What made you start reading/writing a blog?  What advice would you give a newbie?