Why does audience matter?

I got an email this weekend from a reader that included (among other lovely things) a thought-provoking question:

If it's a personal blog, why does the audience matter?

As I was thinking through my reply, I realized I could answer publicly and clarify something: my intention here isn't to grow an audience.

In my first post on this blog, I put emphasis on the idea of having to earn back readers, because readers—in any volume—are the point of putting this stuff online for public consumption. It doesn't matter how many there are, but it matters that they're out there. That they can be out there. Otherwise why bother?

I'm blogging to invite conversation. To meet new and interesting people and discover new ways of seeing the world. To learn and share what I learn, so others might carry those ideas further if it suits them.

For me, each person who reads this blog represents an opportunity for an encounter like the one in the email. Just an email, sure, but also a brief connection between two people from across the world to discuss how nice the Pixel Watch looks. I find that so cool! And as an introvert, it's sometimes easier for me to connect with people online. At least at first, or up to a certain extent.

Speaking of emails, I don't know if there's something in the water, but this time around the number of responses I've been getting has been unexpectedly high. And I love it! That's what this is all about for me. I don't keep a journal; I can polish my thoughts in solitude all I want, but they'll never shine unless I pull back the curtain and let the world reveal their facets.

So, now and again, I share them here instead. Because people challenge them, build upon them, and teach me things I didn't know. That's nourishment for the soul.