I am slowly getting back into the swing of life. Christmas came and went. The household dragged out a game of flu tag, that lasted the whole holiday, as if it was an epic game of Monopoly. Family visits were postponed. Presents undelivered. Sigh. I even missed my birthday. (Which means I can spend another year at this age, right?)
( fabric wrapped presents for the younger members of the family)
The upside is that I’ve had time to think. I’ve been blogging 10 years, this month. I wondered if it was time to let it go. It is so different from when I started. More crowded and commercial. People didn’t make money from their blogs. There are lots more younger voices. Not surprising in 10 years. Personal blogs are fewer. There is room for all, but the balance has shifted.
It made me think about the posts I really enjoyed writing, and reading on other blogs, over the decade. They were fun. I’d like to do more like those, and be less swayed by the rest of the blogging world. I’d like to run my own race.
Time for me to throw the numbers and statistics to the wind, as they say. Write, but not for the sake of it. I might just stick around a little longer and see how it pans out.
I’d like to work on my photography and I have three books that are hovering around, demanding to be written, so this might be the year. I want to up my creative projects to share.
No random adverts, as ever, and very few and select reviews. No pop-ups. I hate multiple pop-ups. Blogging is not a job for me. It is a creative outlet.
I want to make it fun again. Something I’d like to read, and hopefully you too. The change won’t happen over night. It feels liberating.
Also, I’m getting a flu jab before next winter.
A belated Happy New Year to you all and thank you for visiting.
Joining in with Anne’s Word of the Week.
belated birthday wishes x And yes, do get the flu jab. I couldn’t because of the medication I was on, but I had flu last year so I’ve made sure every single family member has had the jab instead. Then if I go out anywhere they can walk around me in a wall of protection 🙂 I know what you mean about blogging, I’ve been doing it so long and going around in circles. At first I didn’t even know making money from your blog was a thing, mine was just a diary that I shared with a few friends. Then I started to rake in some income but it was such hard work and I felt I wasn’t writing what I wanted to write. So I went back to keeping it personal, with the occasional ad in the sidebar (I earned £50 from my sidebar ads last year..it took all year, but it was a little extra to pay for my hosting!) Then occasionally I get an offer I can’t refuse, so I do it. But mostly it’s my blog and my space and I’m not ready to give it up just yet. x
p.s. hope you are all feeling better now s
Your blogging journey is interesting. I’m glad you’ve made some income from yours. I’m just not finding much that fits with my blog. It all feels like a compromise. Like I’m selling out. This is my happy place. Yes. Flu jab next winter!
Oh, no! Flu tag is the worst, especially over holidays. I think you absolutely get to spend another year at this age. It’s a do-over. 🙂
That is definitely my way of thinking.
Oh no! So sorry you were unwell over Christmas and your birthday. I hope you are all better now!
I’ve been blogging for just over 7 years and blogging has changed so much. I still love it but for some people it is all about making money which isn’t for me. You do you! Do what you enjoy. x
Absolutely. You do you. It really feels positive. Expect more pretty makes, simple living and growing a family! 😀
Oh, dear – I’m so sorry you’ve been sick. If being laid low gives you time to think deeply about something, at least you got something out of it.
Thank you. I do love finding silver linings.
ooh no, flu is awful. Madam was ill with it before they broke up. I don’t blog for a living – just as well because I’d be in debt by now LOL! I just put whatever comes to mind and if someone reads it then great 🙂 I do like your posts, they make me smile. Have a good weekend
Oh Karen, thank you. 😀
Sorry to hear you’ve all been poorly I think a lot of people were over the Christmas holidays this year, I hope you are all on the mend now. I really hope you do stick around it would be a shame to stop after 10 years. Definitely get those books written this year! I love seeing your creations they really inspire me. Have a lovely weekend x
Thank you Angela. I’ll keep plodding along for now.
I have felt a few times to throwing in the towel, so many more people blogging as a business, good luck to them, but I find that are that many out there that there is not enough time in the week to read many of the posts when you are writing your own.
Mine has modified over the course of its life,will be 10 in April) much less allergy stuff as so many do it now, and less adventures as the children have all got older.
I don’t blog for money or stats, far to many “big” blogs get the opportunities now, and of course good opportunities lead to higher stats, which on turn leads to more offers. I blog to look back on how my family has grown and grown up.
I am totally with you. I love looking back over the ten years. Reminds me what we have done and how we have grown. Like you the children are getting older and I share more carefully. Part of me thinks that even though there are so many more blogging about similar subjects, not all have so much experience as you do in your subject.
So sorry you’ve all been poorly. I hope you are feeling much better now. I also hope you continue to blog, I love popping over here and reading your posts.
Happy belated birthday too. xx
Thank you Jayne. I suspect I’m slightly feeling the January blues. I will bounce back.
Flu tag sounds horrible, and particularly over the holidays and your birthday too (but yes that sounds like a good reason to stay the same age for another year!) Hope that you are all feeling much better now. 10 years of blogging is amazing. I’m coming up to 6 years with my blog and I’m with you on throwing statistics to the wind and writing as a creative outlet. I do love seeing your photos and hearing about all your homegrown and handmade things. Makes me want to try and do more of that myself. That last photo is beautiful. Happy New Year to you all x #WotW
Thank you Louise. I’d love to think I pass on some inspiration to others.