So why do I blog?
I used to be able to answer that. Much like driving in thick fog, my answer to that now is unable to fully reveal itself. I’ve even had thoughts of retiring my blog. Yet something — I don’t know what — holds me back from doing so.
The relatives who used to read my blog are now strictly obtaining their photo fix or updates on Facebook. Even friends no longer check out blogs. And hardly anyone seems to email either, never mind a handwritten letter.
There are sometimes a handful of ever-so-loyal Internet friends who cheerily pop in to see what’s on tap and, for those lovely souls, I am more grateful than you know.
At one point my blog became a business-related online venue and those days of blogging were likely the least interesting for me. I’ve even deleted most of those old posts. For a time I also dabbled in creating thought-provoking topics of interest to hopefully induce some conversation. Those never caught on — maybe it was the timing that wasn’t right because there are huge numbers of blogs doing that very thing these days. Blogging for me is much more casual than that anyway.
What I do enjoy is simply being able to post some of my photos — you’re fortunate I don’t post them all! Though admittedly, when I post a few photos to Flickr, there are far more people who take a look. But I’ve never been one of the people who is more concerned about how many people stop in or how many ‘subscribe.’ That has never been one of my motivations to blog. It’s also been helpful to be able to share my happenings or interests here on the blog. In fact, being such a huge proponent of stories, I feel happy when I can share a snippet of my life through #littlestoriesofmylife.
Going on nearly two years, I’ve made a point of doing regular Monday posts. That actually had benefits for me. It kept me from going fallow for months and then occasional posts planted here and there. When I had lots to share I could simply schedule them ahead and they would automatically post on the scheduled date into the future.
Perhaps some of my discontent lately stems purely from losing my piano teacher and the search for another. It has not been easy. Perhaps my thoughts of weaning off the blog are influenced by all the things I’m involved in or working on. Yet I am so reluctant to cut the ties completely. Now there’s a topic a psychiatrist might like to delve into.
I’m simply writing free fall here. Whatever comes to mind when thinking about this blog. It’s not like I need it for business or promotion purposes. I’m certainly not making money from it — nor has that ever been an intention. I’m also quite dis-pleased that my blog is now part of BlogLovin. It is impossible to undo as I’ve discovered. Yes, completely unable to undo unless I were to take down my blog. The other thing about BlogLovin that annoys me endlessly is how there are multiple strangers who keep subscribing and they are connected with … ‘undesirable’ links. BlogLovin actually does not allow me to unsubscribe or block those people — can you believe that? So, you can tell that I have highly charged feelings about BlogLovin and they are not on the positive side of any scale.
I’m just unsettled at the moment. Yet I feel I need to connect those thoughts and feelings to those who do stop in. It’s a connection though isn’t it? And it’s likely that connection that binds me to its existence.
Is this the end? No. Not yet, anyway.
i pop in here knowing that i’ll be greeted by beautiful photos…..and that’s important to me!!!! know that your efforts are appreciated and enjoyed!!!
I love your blog and look forward to reading it. You know we should FaceTime or Skype about piano lessons. We could talk about what you might want to learn. I’ve taught online lessons but I’m just throwing that idea out there. If you have found a teacher, yay!
I am so glad that you will still be here, Diane, even if just for now.
Things have changed a lot where blogging is concerned, and I really think that the bottom line is, we have to do what we feel good about and/or what we feel is right for us.
I wish you a wonderful week, my friend.
xo.
oh, i hope you don’t stop blogging
actually, blogging is making a comeback as people realize facebook and other so-called social outlets are flooded with bots and people who are creeps, to put it bluntly
as far as people subscribing to your blog and you not being able to block them, here’s a tip. install the free version of WordFence through the WordPress plugins page. go to your plugins page, choose install new plugins, search for WordFence, one word, no spaces. it should be the first match. install it, activate it. after it’s been working for a day of so, you should be able to identify the people you want to boot and block them with one click.
one last thing, it’s not cool to call it a blog…lol
i’ve been researching the subject recently and found that blogs are on the comeback like i said before, but don’t call it a blog ! lol..that’s what they say. i’m quoting them : – )
I am one who still reads blogs…
I have glanced at other online media (Instagram, mainly, and a bit on Twitter) but the short bits are…too short, maybe? Or lacking in the detail that brings the story alive? I haven’t parsed that bit out, yet; it will kick around in the ‘back’ of my brain (eventually I will have a more complete answer 😉 ).
At any rate, I definitely prefer blogs, and yours is one of my favorites!
I stopped blogging this year and many due to the same reasons as you especially Bloglovin. Now I was able to unlink my blog from Bloglovin. There is a little checkbox that allows you to at the bottom somewhere. Sorry I cannot remember where but if you know there is such a check box you might just stumble on it.Love Leanne
Diane, I love popping by your blog even if I don’t comment. I’m down to a handful of blogs that I follow, other than (monetized) interior design blogs. I like to think the people whose blogs I still follow are people I would love to have all in a room for a dinner party. You are all interesting, engaging, kind, and altruistic. The kind of people whose voices I need to hear through all the online noise. Keep posting! ?
I don’t follow many blogs but always enjoy seeing a post from you on Revelry .
You promote positive, insightful thoughts and the pictures are amazing.
Thank you for your time and effort !
Diane, I am sure you would have told me your new postal address when you moved house, but I can’t find it! (That surely tells you a lot about the state of house-keeping here!)
I know the shall I-shan’t I feeling about blogging. So many have de-camped and moved to Facebook (which I don’t like, but do maintain as it’s the only connection with some people.), yet some stalwarts still read my blog.
You must, ultimately, do whatever feels right for you.But I still like to “pop in for a Parksville pick-me-up.”
Could you please email your snail address? Thank you.