I’m not the only one to have neglected my blog over the past year.
I was putting effort into my YouTube channel and the only blog posts I would upload were to promote my latest video offering. Creating for YouTube - and for Instagram - took up a lot of creative energy. YouTube took around two days a week of my time to produce one video. And on Instagram I would update with Stories throughout the day. On a regular basis I’d stop writing to take photographs, to annotate and to edit them - all so I could describe what I was working on at that moment in time. I enjoyed it. But I was in a constant state of time pressure. And by that I mean I was always aware that I only had a certain amount of time to get things done; I was always thinking about my YouTube deadline, always thinking I had limited time to write, always thinking I had to consistently upload and to check my phone. I was tense, physically. I had no creative energy left for my writing projects. I had no time to write on my blog. But it was only when I stopped creating on YouTube and Instagram that I realised this.
Grief was the reason why I stopped creating for Instagram and YouTube. But this negative reason for temporarily stopping eventually turned into a positive. I was starting to feel better being away from it all. And I was yearning to write again. On here and elsewhere. In fact, I was starting to come up with ideas and plans with blog post titles coming to me because I wasn’t distracted by social media.
The blog is where it all started for me. Back in 2006 when the Internet world was completely different. There were no influencers, no angry voices on Twitter and no illusions of a perfect life on Instagram. I started a blog so I could join in with a group of writers on the Internet who wanted to finish the first draft of their novel. I wanted to join in with a small community and to write. This was a life-changing event for me and my life has revolved around writing and being online ever since. My blog has evolved over the years. Different domains, different designs, different subject matter - but I continue to return to it - just as I am doing now.
Fast-forward fourteen years and we’re in a world dominated by social media. It all seems fast and fiery and when I step away and return to my blog I feel like I’ve stepped away from the crowds. It’s such a pleasant change. I’m no longer one of many vying for attention but I’m now in a calm world where I can do whatever I want. It’s like the relief of rain after parched weeks of hot sun. And in that blissful relief I realised I wanted to write.
The question is: is there anyone left to read what I write? Or has everyone else stepped over towards social media?
Blogging is long form content. Something that takes more than a few seconds to read. Apparently people nowadays like quick content they can double tap. Or they want the visual not the written word. So there’s a preference for Instagram, for YouTube, for vlogs and podcasts. Something people can listen to or watch whilst doing other activities in their busy lives. We have limited attention spans and reading a one thousand plus word blog post is something none of us want to do. At least, that’s what they say.
But - is this true?
I know people don’t leave comments on blogs as much anymore. I understand that and don’t often leave one myself. But I doubt if there is no-one left that likes to read blog posts. Because - well, I do. And I cannot be the only one.
I love to discover new blogs that I can connect with. I love finding a blog with a clear voice and interesting topics. I love going backwards into their archives and immersing myself in their words. Blog discoveries like this are a real treat to find. But finding them is hard. Even on social media it’s hard because the posts there move by so fast, Instagram Stories where blog posts are linked only last twenty-four hours and many bloggers don’t like to mention a new post more than once for fear of ‘spamming’. And it’s so busy on there, good stuff is often drowned out in the noise.
And when you try searching on a blog feed app like Bloglovin’ the blogs that are pushed are ones that are popular. And by popular I mean they’re often influencer blogs who talk about what’s in their make-up bag, or tips for decluttering or what item of clothing they’re lusting after this month. No offence at all to this type of posts and bloggers. I appreciate people love this type of post and that they’re popular for a reason. But that’s not what I’m looking for. I’m looking for posts that are like magazine articles. Quality pieces that are perhaps not so SEO or Pinterest friendly because they don’t solve a problem (they’re not ‘how to’ posts) but are there to entertain or inspire or offer a fresh perspective.
Because it’s difficult to find these blog posts I’d stop looking for them; instead scrolling mindlessly through Instagram. I was feasting on fast food but not savouring a proper meal. I don’t want to spend my time doing that anymore. At least, not on a regular basis. And I don’t want to provide that sort of thing either. I want to write, and read, well-crafted, thoughtful, long-form blog posts. And to connect with others. So, that’s what I’m going to do. That’s why I started a blog in the first place. To join a community and to write.
I always teach my children not to follow the crowd. I’ve spoken to them about not being a sheep (or a duck ‘cos they’re the same and follow the leader) and doing what they feel is best. And I’m now applying that here. Just because the experts are proclaiming Instagram is the place to be - doesn’t mean I have to do that. Just because they feel blogging is dying - doesn’t mean it is dying for everyone. Especially for those who like to write and tell stories.
I think what it comes down to is this. There is a space for everyone on the Internet. Bloggers, writers, emailers, Instagrammers, Podcasters and YouTubers…you just have to find what you enjoy and do it. And to do it with passion and conviction.
