When I started blogging in 2009, it was a lot easier to connect with others who were just starting out too. Everyone appeared to be on a level playing field, meaning none of us seemed to know what we were doing or where blogging would take us. I didn't think it would take me anywhere frankly. It was a genuinely supportive community, and this was all before social media blew up and took over hours of our days. There was no Instagram (at least not that I was aware of) and affiliate linking was barely a thing either. We blogged because we loved it and wanted to share our finds, and it didn't matter if you were tech savvy or not. Most of us took pictures with a point and shoot, or our phones. Yes some ladies had already delved into the professional side, but it wasn't nearly as common as it is now. There was no air of snobbery either.
Today, the blogging world is saturated. I mean completely drenched. And don't get me wrong, there is room for everyone. I think it's great that people feel comfortable sharing their lives (or at least their style) with anyone who's interested on the web, but I can't help but wonder where some of the ladies I started out with have gone. Where did they go?
Wearing //
It's like having a friend that just stops calling you out of the blue. I often wonder how they are doing, if their lives have changed in a way that blogging just doesn't suit them anymore. Busy schedules, children, lack of time, maybe they just moved onto bigger and better things...But can't you break-up with your readers first? I mean, do we as bloggers owe that to people? Is it anyone's business? I don't care if I only have one person interested in the gibberish I have to say, I feel like I would owe it to that one person to be like, "hey. I don't plan on doing this for awhile. I'm taking a long break. Check back in a couple months". Or, "you know, this just doesn't interest me anymore, it's been fun though and thank you for sticking it out with me!"
Am I wrong? I tend to over-analyze so yes is a strong possibility. But I do miss my old blogging friends. I won't call them here by name because that's not my place and they probably want their privacy now that they don't blog, but they know who they are.
I also often wonder if Instagram has taken the place of even having a blog. It's definitely more convenient and less time consuming. However, I like to write. So therefore, I'd rather have a place where I can blather on and on without taking over people's Instagram feeds. Plus, I have friends on my IG that don't give a crap what I wear. They'd rather see pictures of Nettie or places I'm going to. And I'm certainly not making a separate account or carefully "curating" anything because that's just not what I want to do.
So anyway, I don't plan on stopping anytime soon but if I do, I'll let you know. I'll write a proper goodbye, even if no one cares to read it. And to those ladies who gave up blogging, I miss you! I hope you are all well :)
