Image: MMT
I have been considering blogging again for quite sometime. I even purchased the vanity web address joshuagarrett.me a couple of years ago, but I have not until now been able to convince myself that the world needed to hear what I had to say. I am still not sure of that, but what has become increasingly evident to me is that I need to write. I blogged and wrote regularly when I worked in China from 2007-2011, even having a modicum of success and popularity. I never “trended,” but I had strangers from across the world interacting with my posts, and it motivated me to continue. This was one of the most intellectually productive periods of my life. Alas, daily living (the demands of a career change, an international move, and the ease and simplicity of FaceBook) ended what was then known as bloggarrett.com. The blog died a slow death, and through my inattention someone else purchased bloggarrett.com. Sadly, it is now for sale for $2295.
I need to get my ideas out of my head again. They need to be organized. I find myself giving the same advice and telling the same stories to people seeking my perspective. Generally they are appreciative, but I am not vain enough to believe that my point of view is unique or better. This blog is an attempt to externalize my internal dialogue. Perhaps others will find it helpful and/or interesting and desire to join the conversation. That would be a positive byproduct, but I NEED to do this.
But why do it so publicly? Why with a website address that is your name? There is something to be said about accountability as a keeper of habits. I want to write my thoughts, but I know that if there no one reading them, then I might as well keep them in my head. As far as a personally branded website is concerned, I felt that joshuagarrett.me was less pretentious than the other domain names I toyed around with. The domain of joshuagarrett.me is a descriptor of what I hope this site will become: a depository of my ME-ness. Of course this will be an idealize self, one that is curated and tastefully presented. Hopefully by designing the best version of me on this site, I will be able to transfer elements of the best me to my public and private person that is attached to my body.