This is post is part of a weekly feature called the Passion Series…enjoy!

“It is amazing what undercover talents and abilities we have we when believe in ourselves.”

This quote comes from Christine Tolhurst, on her blog Saved by Grace. It reminds me of that age-old Ghandi quote,

Men often become what they believe themselves to be. If I believe I cannot do something, it makes me incapable of doing it. But when I believe I can, then I acquire the ability to do it, even if I didn’t have it in the beginning.”

Blogging helped Christine believe in herself. I chose to feature her tonight because I am sucker for people whose lives have improved through blogging (as you can tell). It touches my heart.

In her interview, she talks about how blogging gave her the confidence to get back into the workforce, and overcome mental illness. Mental illness! That’s amazing. And looking at her blog, you can tell she loves it. She’s got everything neat and organized, and a classy design to boot. Here’s what she had to say.

Has blogging helped you in any emotional or creative way? 

Blogging has been an amazing journey of self discovery for me. I suffer from mental illness and I am on disability. Up until I started blogging, I had always believed I was a failure and would stay that way. I never believed in myself or my talents and abilities. I don’t remember the exact reason I started blogging, but I do remember how great it felt to get my words out there, and start a journey to being productive. I have now been blogging for almost a year and a half. Pretty good for someone who seemed to always fail and give up on herself!

Not only has blogging made me realize I am a good writer, but it has also helped me focus, make goals, stick to goals, and push through, even when it gets hard. In fact, I hadn’t held a job in over 5 years until 3 months ago (outside of blogging of course!) and blogging gave me the confidence to jump back into working part time.  I knew that if I could stick with my writing, I could and was capable of so much more. It may seem silly, but blogging really opened me up as a person, writer, and even a friend. I learned I am capable, I am, not as useless as I once thought and I am worth it!

Has blogging daily/weekly helped you achieve any personal goals?

Blogging daily has helped me feel like I have a reason to get out of bed. I have a purpose and a skill to share with the world! It has helped create structure in my life as well as gain confidence in my abilities and skills. For someone like me, who suffers from mental illness, it creates the structure I need to succeed. It has been an amazing journey and I am so alive now that I have found a passion and purpose. In fact, the structure I have gained from blogging not only forces me to push on, but forces me to learn about myself and the world around me in a whole new way I never thought possible.

Does the ritual of daily/weekly blogging give you motivation to pursue things you are passionate about?

Daily blogging has made me finally do what I love and get started on those projects we all want to do, but never seem to have time for. I have learned that there is time, and all I have to do is make it.

I love featuring passionate bloggers like Christine. Every Wednesday I am able to step in someone else’s shoes, hear a new story, and learn how the sheer act of writing daily has given bloggers all over the country something to look forward to, and be passionate about.

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This is post is part of a series on bloggers who have found direction or passion through blogging. If you would like to be featured in the Passion Series, please email me with responses to the above questions, and share your passions. Thanks!

See all Passion Series posts >>