Those of us who've blogged for a while (I started in 2010) know that blogging became popular 10-15 years ago and... then slowly fizzled out. When personal videos became possible and easy (on mobile devices) the masses gravitated toward them and away from static word-and-picture blogs. It was inevitable since most people can't write and don't like to read. Watching videos on TikTok and Instagram is their first choice.
I'm sad about this for a few reasons. First, I love to write so expressing myself here has always been a delight. Second, I like to connect with others so reading blogs, pondering the writer's experiences and being able to comment is always fun. And third, I find most video content to be shallow whereas blog posts are usually deep and more meaningful. Plus, on blogs we can show off our fancy vocabulary. :)
It was sad to see my favorite blogs -- which at one point numbered over 60 -- disappear. Of those, only a small handful exist today. Most evaporated without warning, like water on the patio during Summer.
I plan to remain here forever and will continue to support like-minded souls doing the same work. If you're reading this and have a blog, link it in the comments so I can join your community.
Recently I posted about a fabulous new book ("The Secret of Secrets," by Dan Brown [2025]). The novel has passages which give me hope about a future return to blogging. Here they are:
"Online, I am a bodiless consciousness…". (p. 656)
"It’s an unusual idea, but I’ve come to believe that our current technological explosion is actually part of a spiritual evolution… a kind of training ground for the existence that, in the end, is our ultimate destiny… a consciousness, untethered from the physical world, and yet connected to all things.” (p. 656)
The idea of consciousness outside human bodies is growing in popularity as it explains many odd phenomena (like the paranormal, mystical and metaphysical). Science and philosophy are examining consciousness with fresh originality. Noetics are pushing back against materialism and opening doors to new concepts and thought. Blogs may be training wheels for something much, much bigger.
i miss blogging SO MUCH. substack is a little closer to what i miss than tiktok/instagram/et cetera but nothing is quite the same and i often have the same thoughts as you have here, though i have long since abandoned my own blog.
ReplyDeleteThanks for the smart feedback.
DeleteI love my blog! Even though I have had my current blog since March of 2025, I had a blog way before that for 6 years...also on Blogger. From 2012 to 2017. The reason I had no blog after that until last year is because I had no computer for more than 7 years.
ReplyDeleteThe only social media I have right now (and the only one I want), is my blog. I used to be on Facebook for decades, but last year decided to close my account. Honestly, I haven't missed it.
I would, however, miss my blog. Instagram, Twitter and all the other social media sites don't interest me at all.
I find it sad that many bloggers that I knew from my old blog have died or just stopped blogging for whatever reason.
I am happy to have found and reconnected with bloggers from the past who are still blogging! And I am also glad to have met new bloggers as well.
Thank you so much for sharing, and thanks as well for your visits and kind comments on my blog, I really appreciate it so much. I only blog on Mondays and Thursdays, but I really enjoy doing it and very much appreciate the kind feedback I get in the way of comments from other bloggers.
I hope you have a wonderful week!
Thanks, Linda. It's heartening to hear how valuable blogging is to you. The activity is better than other social media and I wish more people understood that.
DeleteA fancy vocabulary indeed! Thank you for adding noetics to mine.
ReplyDeleteI started blogging in 2010 as well and have no intention of quitting, although I have slowed the pace of posting considerably.
My first blog, now called "Two Spirits - One Halle", was originally "Maintaining the Façade" and hasn't been added to for over a year. https://hallesfacade.blogspot.com/
The one you have found and commented upon - thank you very much - is "On The Other Hand" https://onanotherhand.blogspot.com/
and it is a continuation of entries started before the internet was available.. kept in a little red notebook until the world gave me a chance to share.
Blogging has given so much to me, especially friends, who I correspond with regularly still.
Making friends through our blogs is a great benefit. I maintain and nurture those friendships.
DeleteAs with video, do you think social media* played a part too? No need to craft a post, set up a writing schedule, etc; just blast whatever is on your mind straight into the system.
ReplyDeleteFWIW, I'd rather read your measured words and long form. I find it easier to reread and reflect on what you've put. Certainly compared to video content.
Wishing you many more happy years of blogging.
( * Perhaps now, ironically named 😉 )
Thank you. You remind me of another important difference between personal blogs and social media. You don't own or control your content on social media sites. I've had friends pained when a social media giant like Facebook unilaterally and without warning deleted their content or blocked their account. I never want to be subject to anyone else in that way. I'm responsible for my blog and will always control it.
DeleteI miss the old blog days, but as Lizz noted above, Substack has some of that feel (it's for writers!), and I do more writing there than on my blog, which is sometimes more of a picture repository. I think you would enjoy my slightly more "me" of my weekly Substack newsletters, Ally: if you enter your email here (you don't need to do anything, just select "Free" and click through or skip most of it) and you'll get it in your Inbox every week. Logan reads the entire thing without actually going to Substack.
ReplyDeletehttps://sheilaephemera.substack.com/
Wow, that's great Sheila! Thanks for telling me.
DeleteI really enjoyed reading this Ally. As someone who also enjoys blogging, I understand exactly what you mean about the value of putting thoughts and experiences into words. There is something special about taking the time to read someone's story, reflect on it, and have a meaningful exchange through comments.
ReplyDeleteI agree that video has become the dominant way many people consume content now, but I think blogs still offer something different, a chance for deeper reflection and a more personal connection between writer and reader.
Long may the blogging community continue. There is still something wonderfully human about sharing our thoughts through words.
Hugs,
Lotte x
Yup.
DeleteI do post on Insta but I do still prefer blogging even if I'm not so good at doing it regularly recently. I don't post loads on Insta although I do like sharing little moments.
ReplyDeleteI miss the heyday of blogging when there was so much going on!
Me too, pal.
DeleteIt makes me sad as well - even though I am one of those that have drifted away. My blog is still up though and has several false re-starts lol I don't think I'll ever fully give it up.
ReplyDeleteI think I just need to find what motivates me to post about these days. My reading has pretty much fallen off so my reviewing days are over.
I'm late to the blogging party, only starting 15 months ago, but I enjoy it. It's quite cathartic to write about my life my experiences and to be able to connect with people who have read it. And I enjoy making friends, so blogging works for me.
ReplyDelete