#startwithwhy

Alas, it’s none of those things. 

What that question actually leads to is an answer about why I’m writing this post, or rather why I’m writing a blog at all, and it’s infinitely more interesting than any of those age-old debates.

I say debates, and, I’m not sure there is one around the mechanics of reproduction and childbirth, but I am happy to hear anyone out with evidence to the contrary (storks anyone?).

I’ve always liked writing so it won’t surprise you to know that this isn’t my first attempt at a blog. It may be the third or even the fourth. 

My previous attempts have included: a daily journal that I started when I was 14, as an outlet for my pent-up teenage angst, detailing the kind of universal shit that matters so much to boys; a humorous take on local new stories, titled Braking Nooz (good use of puns, not so much on the phonetic spelling); and a well-meaning-but-largely-lacking-in-sound-medical-advice take on type 1 diabetes, drawing from my own experiences (I know what you’re thinking - this guy loves a pun, he probably called it ‘Diabeaters’ or something ridiculous like that... you can see a theme emerging here, can’t you?)

There are some differences this time around though. 

Firstly, I’m not a 14 year old boy anymore and it’s much easier for me to see what the bigger picture is, having now lived through the subsequent 13 years realising what a winy little bitch that kid was. 

Secondly, I didn’t have the tools or the knowledge to realise what was necessary to make those ideas grow from nothing to something. I’m not saying I have the blueprint for success nailed right now either, but I have learnt a lot. 

Finally, the motive is different. The only purpose of the other blogs I wrote was to boost my own ego - even if trying to help diabetics seems like a noble cause now, ultimately it was just so I could be famous. And rich. And loved by all. 

This is probably one of the biggest lessons I’ve learnt:

The purpose has to come first, and it has to be about something bigger than you as an individual. 

This is why I’ve started out with this as a topic - so you know what I believe, what I want to achieve, and so that you can decide for yourself whether you’re on board or whether actually, this is not for me you winy-little-sugar-dodging-faux-journalist. 

The last 3 years of my life have been the best, without question. I’ve developed an appetite for knowledge that I lost somewhere along the line; I’ve become socially more adept, taking on new hobbies and physical challenges that I never thought I could and ultimately; I’m a damn sight happier. 

The purpose of this blog then is this:

To provide you with the stories and sources that I’ve benefited from to give you the possibility of increasing how happy you feel about your life. 

I realise this is a bold aim and that there are thousands if not millions of sources out there offering some variation on the statement above and I also realise that some of these sources are exceptionally good, but these are the ones I want to draw from because I believe that they have changed my life and they can for you to. 

I can hear them now, the cynics among us, “Hang on, if you really do achieve that, you will be famous. And rich. And loved by all. You sell out! I thought this was about us, not you!

For me, that’s all secondary. I know with the way that the world is that authenticity matters, and to betray peoples’ trust in your motives is unforgivable. This is why I’m telling you this now. If I make one person’s life better as a result of the information I’ve curated and presented, then I will have achieved what I wanted knowing I’ve been true to my principles.

Anyway, ignore the cynics and carry on regardless - so let’s get this diabeaters-braking-nooz-happiness-show on the road!