August 28, 2017

Bring Blogging Back

This little blog recently turned five years old. Before I began writing my own blog, I read several others written by women very much like me. They inspired me with their love of home and family. They shared ideas, recipes, and photos of their homes. I felt connected to an entire community of women who shared my interests and values, and despite the fact that they lived all across the country, I felt as if we were neighbors, sharing coffee and talking about our days.

I was so inspired that even though I knew nothing about blogging, and even less about computers, I jumped in feet first and began my own little blog. Because of this space, I have met some of the most amazing women, and have developed the most wonderful friendships with women from all over the world. I have even met several of my blogging friends and their families in real life, and know that these people will be part of my life forever.

Where am I going with this? I am making a plea. I am making a plea to anyone out there reading blogs to jump in and begin a blog of her or his own. Throughout the past several years, I have noticed a drastic decline in the number of new bloggers joining this world of online scrapbooking. I have also witnessed many of the amazing women I so enjoyed reading abandoning their blogs for one reason or another. I totally understand that one of the most important aspects of blogging is timing. You must be at the right time and place in your life to be able to devote yourself to your blog and enjoy it as well.  If now is not the time, I understand. I have been there! Babies and schoolwork...home and family...work and laundry...these things come first.

However, if you do have the time, and feel like you have something to share, do it! Simply choose a name, pick a theme, and start writing! Visit other blogs and introduce yourself. Those bloggers will, in turn, visit you. All you need is something to share and a phone or camera to snap a few pictures. That's it. Write about what you know. Upload a few pictures. Speak from your heart. And others will read.

I would be remiss if I neglected to mention one of the main reasons I believe blogging is less popular today than even a few years ago...That being the increase in usage of Instagram and Twitter. I have nothing against either. In fact, until a few years ago, I maintained an Instagram account that I really enjoyed. I also had a Twitter account that I used occasionally. Instagram is fun. It is easy. The response is quick. In today's world of instant gratification, Instagram is a big draw. But it was that instant chaos that finally made me stop. I felt compelled to respond to the likes and comments as quickly as they came in. I felt the need to post multiple times a day. And there was so much to see! I found myself scrolling way too long. And it never ended.

Blogging takes place in a slower paced world. I feel at ease when I open a favorite blog and read a post. I sit down and even drink a cup of coffee as I spend some time visiting. And if I miss one? I visit later, when I have time. It may be me, but I find blogging to be mindful and cozy. Please note, I am not against Instagram. I am simply putting out a plea to others to not view it as a replacement for blogging.

Blogging is my hobby. It is a place to write and share and document moments of my life. Here, you share as much or as little as you want. Someday, I know I will be thankful that I took the time to write about my everyday life with my family. I will be grateful I didn't try to fit it all into those tiny Instagram squares. And I will be able to look back and see how I decorated my Christmas tree or what we had for dinner on any given Halloween. I will see the beautiful fall trees and the smiles on my children's faces on Easter morning. That is why I blog. Why not give it a try sometime? You will be gad you did. Promise. : )


My very first picture from my very post...
A teeny, tiny Flynn!

Sometimes I post pictures of pumpkins...

And sometimes...pie!

I was thrilled when I met my first ever blog friend Tara...

And again later when she brought her beautiful family to visit!

We met Kathleen and her amazing family when she so kindly picked up my Madison at an airport and let her stay in her lovely home!

And I also met my dear friend Joey and her precious family when they visited our home last summer!

We all made so many wonderful memories.
Flynn found a forever friend in Joey's husband Roger.

The community of bloggers is full of wonderful people...
Perhaps you would want to join us?






41 comments:

  1. I also have noticed that many of my favorite bloggers are gone. A lot have gone to Instagram. And then you can't follow because they are private. I get it sort of. No one owes me anything but you become a bit interested in their family, lives and then they're gone. I don't want that to sound creepy. I look forward to your blog, I'm older 63 but I feel like you do about family and I like to stay home. Which no one understands. I love different candles for different seasons, different decorations. Especially autumn and winter! I hope that your message gets others to come back to blogging. Thanks for sharing your beautiful family and home with us!

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  2. I started blogging in 2004 just after my mother passed away. It was actually an aol Journal and as I documented my journal without my mom I ended up meeting many women just like myself. Some that I am still friends with. There have been bloggers that have genuinely touched my life through their stories. : )
    Over the past few years I have neglected my blog at times (which I could kick myself for because I love to print my blog yearly for my girls.) I've noticed a huge change in the blogs ... I remember blog parties having over 100 bloggers sharing their links, now sometimes I see 20. It's sad.

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  3. A post from the heart and one which I agree with entirely. A wonderful way to scrapbook all the changes as we progress through life and then look back and enjoy.

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  4. Agreed. I have always looked forward to catching up on my favorite blogs with a cup of coffee in the mornings after the kids are out the door. Now everyone is on Instagram. I get that it's easier but I keep blogging because I love the record that I have of my family. And hopefully now that the kids are back in school I can get into the habit of posting regularly again.

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  5. I agree Billie Jo I too have see a decline in the blogging world and also believe its because of Instagram as well as Facebook. Im not a fan of Facebook even though I have an account - its not my go to place. I also have Instagram and like it so much more because like you said, it's instant and easy. I gravitate to Instagram for that reason, no politics or rants just fun pictures in the moment. Blogging for me is journaling. I hard copy it once a year to save the stories for posterity, I guess. But what I love about blogging is the people you meet and the stories they share. You really do feel a connection with people who once were strangers that become friends even if you haven't met them in person. You are lucky to have met a few of your blogging friends. I love the people who I have come know through the blogging world and hope to continue to meet new people.
    Thanks for posting this!
    Have a good week!!!
    Saimi

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  6. Yes- to every word you said! Although FB and IG can be fun, they do not replace reading stories and really developing online relationships- I miss my big list of blogs to follow. And sometimes they just drop without any warning and I feel like a great book I was reading was lost before I was able to find out the ending. So sad! When I see my kids' faces as they read the blog books I print out, I know it's worth every minute! :)

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  7. I love this post. It's all so true. I blogged then put it down for health reasons, family and even depressive occurrences. I need to get back to it. Thank you SO much for sharing!

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    1. Missing you here, Elizabeth.
      Praying that you are feeling better and return when you feel ready.
      Hugs!!!

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  8. Awww....Flynn was and still is adorable. As you know, Billie Jo, I changed over from Blogger to WP...many reasons why.

    What a great post, my friend.

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  9. I love this. I too have met so many amazing people. I have stayed in their homes and they have stayed in mine. I just met you and I am excited about that!

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  10. I have been blogging since 2005. It was the best thing I have ever done. While I do have to have breaks at times due to seasons of life I always head back. I agree that blogging is declining and it saddens me. I love blogging and have learned so much from it. I have made so many friends and kindred spirits that has blessed my life. It is the best thing. I had great blogs that I was faithful to reading that has all left for FB or other things. It saddens me. I agree....join in the community!

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  11. Love blogs and especially love yours! So happy I found you! I do miss the days when lots more were blogging and commenting, but love the ones that have continued!

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  12. I've had a blog I've been working on and just published my first post today. I've been reading blogs for 10+ years and thought it was about time to create one of my own, you're post today helped me to finally create a new blog post and hop on the "blogging bandwagon"! I starting reading your blog this year and have enjoyed it from day one! Thank you for being a blogger I enjoy visiting! May you have a wonderful day!~

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    1. Hello!
      And YAY for you!!!!
      I am going over to visit your new brand new blog now, and hope others will do so too! : )

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    2. Thanks again for stopping by Billie Jo!! You're first comment of kindness and support meant a lot to me and was like creamer in my coffee, so very comforting and sweet!

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  13. Oh Billie Jo, you know just what to say! I love your posts and keep coming back here again and again because they are so beautiful and authentic. You are so right about there is a season for things and I miss blogging a lot, but am having a hard time putting a post together because of there.is.always.one.more.thing.to.do!!! Right now that is battling fleas in our two cats...oh that is fun! Hopefully things will settle down soon and I can get back to blogging. You are so right about the digital scrapbook. I am so glad I blogged so much of Elizabeth's pregnancy and early years and not as much with Katharine's, but still a fair bit. I can't believe she just turned 3 a couple weeks ago...where has the time gone. Anyway, all this to say, thanks for the proverbial nudge to get back into it! God Bless you and your beautiful family!

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    1. And my sarcasm little reference didn't post, so believe when I say that it is fun battling fleas, was purely sarcastic. LOL!

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  14. Great post Billie Jo. I think part of what has happened is many blogs now focus on making money and affiliate links. Those blogging to scrapbook their lives or just for fun I think felt too much pressure to keep up with the others. I have always said I will blog when I want and if I have something to share. I am looking forward to reaching out to the others who have posted comments on here.

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  15. I've been blogging more than 10 years and even though I take breaks, I always keep blogging. It's like a public diary but I like reading my old posts and remembering so much.
    Also, if my children are looking for one their favorite foods recipes, they search my blog and usually find it.

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  16. Great post and I agree, blogging has brought me so many amazing friendships and it has allowed me to visit my memories easily.... my only regret is I didn't start sooner. Have a wonderful day!

    blessings,
    Jill

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  17. I agree! I love blogging and reading blogs but this summer I have kind of been in a blogging low...I miss it and now that everyone is back in school and I am feeling better I am excited to start blogging! I would not have become friends with you had it. It been through blogging...❤️

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  18. I love blogging. Sometimes I get down about how few of my blogs in my dashboard are left, but I keep on keeping on. And I am thankful for your blog and friendship as you know!

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  19. I so agree!

    "Lurkers," please make a blog.

    Those who are considering leaving blogging, please don't.

    None of us _have_ to do "amazing" things, to blog. Nor take "amazing" photos. Nor live in "amazing" homes. We all have a mind, and minds run a million miles an hour. So none of us can say... "We have nothing to say." :-)

    And if our muse, flies from our shoulder at times, that's natural too. So we take a wee break. And in no time, our muse will come back and we will be blogging again.

    Thank you for this post!!!

    Gentle hugs,
    Luna Crone

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  20. Yes, yes, yes! I love this post!! I was introduced to the blog world in 2005 when we were in the middle of waiting to receive a match to the baby we were adopting. I was working at the time, but my heart was really home. Keeping home and having a family is all I ever wanted. I stumlbled across a blog and I felt like I had found a kindred spirit. Then I found another and another. I started blogging and I enjoy looking back at years past. Seeing my little one enter our life, watching her grow and seeing all the wonderful things we've experienced warms my heart. When I feel isolated as a stay at home wife and mom or feel the world telling me that home and family isn't enough I find peace, acceptance and friendship with other bloggers. I'll be back later to check out the blogger who have commented here. I'm always looking for more kindred spirits!

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  21. I so agree with all you have written here, Billie Jo. I first started reading blogs and was encouraged to jump in myself by my daughter and fellow bloggers. It's a great way to journal the happenings of our life. Wonderful women supporting each other is a win win for me. I've been blogging almost 3 years now and enjoy the friendships very much with all of my friends. ♥

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  22. Crying, I'm cozy in bed right now with tea. School has started and I needed to be in my jamies early tonight. I just told Scott "I refuse to give up blogging" (because I have a classroom to teach... refuse) I too find it cozy and not chaos. I will never quit. Love this post Billie Jo and love you.

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  23. Blogging is very special to me as well. I have met some wonderful people and feel as if I have known them for years, and some I have! I enjoy so much playing catch up with friends and their families and their interests. God has truly brought a group of precious people together in an unusual way, and I am thankful for each person. Blog on!

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  24. OH! Billie Jo if I could reach out and give you a big hug, I would, You have just posted what I have been feeling, I love blogging so much more, but gave in to instagram because it was easier! I love blogging best of all because it is so much more personable. You have now become my newest best friend here in bogland! Thank you for sharing.
    Hugs and blessings,
    Sue

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  25. Love this post!!! You are so inspiring. You are the reason I started my own blog, too <3

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  26. Well said! I recently started blogging, but stopped after 2 posts because I wasn't sure what to write about or if ppl would even read it! Thanks Billie Jo for the encouragement to continue.

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    1. Hello Meghan!
      Thank you for commenting!
      And please let me know if you do indeed continue your blog.
      I will be sure to visit. : )

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    2. Hi Billie Jo~

      Well said dear friend! Blogging has dwindled so much over the last year or so. I started blogging in 2009, which seems like a very long time ago! During that time, I have seen so many of my blogging friends leave for, Instagram or Facebook. I know that these venues are faster, after all instant gratification seems to be what people seem to gravitate to, but it's not for me. I had a Facebook account, but closed it because of so many offensive posts and advertising. I also stay away from blogs with too much advertising, I don't like to sift through all the ads to find the actual post!

      I need to venture out of my comfort zone and visit more blogs, and leave more comments. So many of the blogs I visit are younger people, and I am an older blogger (61), so I don't have as much in common with them, but I still love to visit and read about their life adventures. That said, we all have something in common, we are here in blog land, telling our story, sharing our lives, making new friends, exchanging ideas, reaching out when times are hard, praying for those who need comfort, smiling, laughing, and loving. For me, blogging is a soft place to fall, a cozy place for me to sit quietly and think about my own story. Share what I have on my mind, and hope it helps someone or makes someone smile.

      When I started my blog, it was simply an online journal. It's still my online journal, but it's also so much more than that. I have met amazing people, made wonderful friends, even met a few in real life, which was amazing! Thank you for sharing today, I will go out now and make new blogging buddies!

      Hugs,
      Barb

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  27. So well said Billie Jo! I am so connected to my blog community. I think about it always. The friendships and connections I have made because of it and the comfort it gives me when I see a new post (like this one! :) I'm so glad you put this out there giving encouragement to those who want to start a blog or "re-start" a blog! It's so much fun and fulfilling! We share our lives, holidays, moments, and experiences. What I have gained from blogging is pricesless! I've had mine since John was 5 years old. I love scrolling back and seeing what were doing and how my house looked and what we had for dinner. It's an online scrapbook! Now that I'm moving houses I'm sure I will be even more grateful for this. I can always look back and reminisce about "my old kitchen" or "that time we baked cookies". I hope anyone who feels the same starts a blog. Get a cup of tea and get ready to make some friends! ♥ BTW I want to be in the next list of friends you have met in real life....♥ :)

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  28. You are so sweet, Billie Jo. It makes my heart happy to know you and to have met you in real life. I am so grateful for your friendship and I look forward to meeting up again!! And I just adore your kids and hubby. Just real, good people :)
    Thanks for the encouraging words about blogging. I haven't been good at blogging this past year at all, but really want to get back to it on a regular basis. You inspire me to keep it going.
    Catch a hug from eastern PA!!
    Ps. I never did that Brady Bunch trivia!! Totally forgot!! I've got to get on that!

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  29. This is so encouraging. I appreciate it very much. I have noticed people are more on facebook, etc, rather than blogging. Yet, there are still many out there who love reading blogs, and are still writing them. I think they need the support and encouragement of comments as much as possible.

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  30. I love blogging. I love sharing, I love reading about others and what they do, I love seeing what they create. I started in 09 and never had any followers because working full time I just did not have it to give to more than doing a post. Getting out and following others just took way too much time that I did not have it to give. I did not get followers until this past yr since I retired and I love the connection I have found with other bloggers. Keep sharing...I love it.

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  31. What timing! I just started blogging again after a long break. I missed it so much. My kids are pretty much grown now so I'm in a new season and started a new blog! Looking forward to meeting and reconnecting with blog friends!

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  32. I cannot recall what it was like to have time to blog as much as I use to when I first started. I seriously cannot. I think senior year opened up a new chapter in our lives and life just exploded. I'm hoping to slowly increase...baby steps, right? Thanks for inspiring!

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  33. Love it. and that picture of little Flynn awe so precious. I miss so many of my old blogs, I understand if they no longer blog but I am sad when I try to go back and find it is no longer up. I know I've told you that because of you I started blogging so my friend please don't ever close your blog. much love-Row.

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  34. I read this post weeks ago & everything you said really resonated with me. I've been feeling overwhelmed by Instagram for a while now & I actually took a long break and then recently went back just cause I missed that interaction with other woman... but how can you really keep &
    up with 300 plus woman?!? So, this evening I finally took the plug & published my blog! I've been wanting to do this for the longest time but trying new things actually intimidates me... don't ask me why! lol.. But you gave me the push & encouragement to take the plunge! So here's my blog~ comfycozyandcoffee.blogspot.com
    I hope you are able to find it! I have no idea what I am doing, this is all totally new to me! But more posts are coming! And I just hope other woman will welcome me into this new blogging world ;) Please let me know if you are unable to see it :)
    Lisa from Instagram (hotcoffee4lisa)

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  35. I know this post is several months old but I am just jumping over from a link at Sallie Borrink.

    Thank you for writing this - you have inspired me to dust off my blog and get back to writing again!

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Thanks so much for saying hello!

Billie Jo