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Writing this blog has been quite a learning curve for me...in many more ways than one.

I have had to learn a few technical things along the way,

 but the biggest lesson has been what I'm learning about myself...

Having the opportunity to write freely about whatever I please is pretty liberating. However, I think when I started to write a blog I thought that the only people who would read would be family and lifelong friends who knew me well anyway!

I quickly realised that 'others' were reading...

so I became cautious...

and through this caution I became bored...

with my own blog!

I began to leave the odd comment on a few blogs. Then I began to 'follow' the blogs that I kept returning to read. At first this felt strange as I didn't know the writers. However, these comments were the first steps to getting to know the writers...now it feels like catching up with some good friends over a cuppa.

Ever so slowly I have moved to writing about what I really want, sharing experiences, everyday life events, emotions, thoughts...

As the blog has developed during the last few months I find myself  'conversing' with wonderful people from all over the globe! Unbelievable! My life is so much richer for it. The comments and messages that I received after writing about how it felt to move away from home and settle here in Australia were so thoughtful and supportive - thank you.
I am naturally quite the cynic. I need proof of something; I need to build up a trust. I don't think that any of this is necessarily wrong - it's just a trait. British maybe?? Having a young daughter I am so aware of the wonders and the dangers of the Internet so I tread carefully.
(I have to share that a few months ago I was told off by my mother for posting that I was home alone for the weekend! After my initial "Oh don't be silly" thought, it was quickly followed by a "should I have posted that?")

However, living in Australia has started to erase some of this.

Australians are much more open, welcoming and accepting.

Here, you're a friend unless proven otherwise.

I like that.

I still occasionally think about things too much, but I'm learning to accept more on face value.

Anyone else go through this thought process with their blog writing?

A couple of months ago a journalist contacted me after reading my blog. He was writing an article for British people moving to Australia or New Zealand and wanted to know my story. I sat on the email for a while and then decided that I should write back. We exchanged a few emails, he sent me a link to the magazine I googled him(!), before deciding that it was bone fide, and wrote a few answers to his questions.

The magazine is called 'Australia, New Zealand Outlook'. There is an online version (click here)  if anyone would like to read, (I can only link to the home page of the online mag, my article is on page 34) or the print version is available to buy at the end of July.

I'm still learning, but loving the journey...