This is it! The time has come for the resurgence of the personal blog. Not that they were gone-gone or anything. But with the rise of the Insta-blogger, twitter-superstar and all the tween Tik-Tokers, blogging has been a little out-dated. Short, punchy and on platform updates seem to have taken the lead.
But not so much anymore.
In 2020, we have something to say. More than the Instagram caption will allow and more important than some algorithm deciding who will see it. On a personal blog, you can take your time, find your words, and deliver them to your audience without the interference of Zuckerberg et al.
It’s s resurgence. From the back of the dusty wardrobe, people are dragging out blogs, dusting them off, and sharing the things that matter to them. I’ve seen it with several accounts I follow. Some have done very well in the recent social media boom. A lot of them blogged before, some had stopped, and others are finding their way to a blog now. But whatever their path they all agree, the time is now.
And I couldn’t agree more.
I mean, to be fair, I’m pretty biased. Team blogger, that’s me. I’ve been in love with blogging since I published my first, tiny dinky post. And yes, I’m uniquely placed to be like, WOOOT, can’t wait. But I can’t ignore a trend towards people having space to voice their opinions and ideas; to share their story.
What’s better than that? Here on this blog, I am the boss. Sure there is still some reliance on social media to promote a post, but when it comes to subscribers (both blog and email), they hear from me because they asked to. No middle man. And certainly, no signing up only to be shown a post every week or two. My thoughts and ideas travel from me to you. The words (and images) are here just as you asked them to be.
Unfiltered. Uncensored. And most of all, unapologetically me.
That’s why I think that personal blogs will make a comeback in 2020. There are too many of us with something to say for it not to happen. I don’t know about you, but I feel like now is not the time to be quiet. To go quietly when they shut down our accounts or put us in some algorithm based sin-bin. Oh, no. NOW is the time to be heard. And I plan on taking advantage of that. How about you?
Hi! I’m Melissa Walker Horn. Around here, they call me Suger. I’m the Chief Blogger and doer of all the things here at Suger Coat It. Blogging since 1901; I love a casual ootd, taking photos, and writing about things that irk or inspire me. I love wine and cheese, long days at the beach and spending time with my family. I make stuff for the internet over at Chalkboard Digital. You know, living the sweet life.
Oh my goodness. YES. I know I am late to this post – BUT – I have just started blogging AGAIN after a massive hiatus.
I have so many unwritten posts in my head – always thinking “no one wants to read that”, or “it’s not good enough”, so I just don’t bother. Then I give myself a strict talking to, and remind myself that it is MY blog – so there is no right or wrong.
I love writing for the fun of it – recording the funny stories, sharing recipes and tips. It makes a great change to writing my Masters!
Thanks for the virtual “yes – you are doing OK”. x
No such thing as late around here, haha, thanks for adding to the conversation. I’m so excited you’re blogging, and that you gave yourself that much needed talking to. Have fun, so much fun. That’s my favourite part of blogging, the space to document and enjoy my life.
I agree. I’ve been thinking about blogging again for a while. Mainly because when I started blogging back in the day, part of it was about keeping a diary and memories that would never be lost. Then I got to a stage where I felt I didn’t have a lot to say. But now … these are interesting times and I feel like I want to comment and share my own experiences. We’ll see.
When I wrote this, back at the start of the year, I had no idea just how relevant it would become. I think if you have something to say you should say it. I’m so grateful right now to have some way to document, but also to make stuff, that isn’t dependant on anyone but myself. Keep me posted, okay. x
Hmmmm…. I had thought about it, but now I am… ??
Ooooo, now that’s exciting! Can’t wait to see if you decide to make a comeback. Haha. Keep me posted!
Ah yes Melissa, and particularly at the moment given we’ve got time on our hands and doing some soul-searching.
I read something (ie. an article about self-care) and it suggested journalling so we can record our feelings at this time and reflect back on them later. And isn’t that EXACTLY what a personal blog is?!
That’s it! A perfect place to journal and process, to share or just get out whatever is swirling around in your head. That’s it for me. My blog may have been called a lifestyle blog for years, but there’s plenty here that is THAT. Write on, I say. 😉
This is really good news as it means there may be more blogs for me to read. I’ve been blogging for 9 years without a break. I can’t imagine ever giving it up
I hope so! Fingers crossed for all of us. And I get that, my blog turned 10 last October, I don’t know that I’ve stopped blogging for more than a month or two in that whole time.
Thanks for that. I really liked seeing “Return of the Personal Blog” in my inbox this week. I know it’s just the start of the year, but I’ve managed to do 1 post a week, and am really keen to keep going. I agree, like podcasting, blogging will be back!
You’re so welcome! I feel it and it’s been exciting to hear that others feel the same way. Good luck with your blogging. 🙂
Well lookie here…you are BACK..I know you never went away. I am loving seeing some of my ‘old’ blogging mates back like you and Caz. Yay for me deciding to be a blogger back in 2010 and getting to meet you, Caz and many. This link up of mine is quite the reunion!! Happy Days.
Thanks so much for joining in the 2nd Life This Week in 2020 and next week the optional prompt is 3/51 Remember This 20.1.2020. I do hope to see you link up too. Denyse.
It really was! I had the best time getting around to the posts and checking in so many familiar, and NEW, faces. Thanks for being the hostess with the mostest. I’ll see you again next week, hopefully. Haha.
I hope you are right. I have missed so many blogs that have dropped off. I hope they all make a come back!
Wouldn’t that be amazing!! I’d love that too. Let’s keep everything crossed. 😉
I like the idea of being unfiltered, uncensored, and unapologetic!! Of course that isn’t to say I don’t share all of my blog posts onto my social media just in case someone doesn’t get my email newsletter and isn’t aware that I published a new post 🙂
Me tooo, on both counts! I think social media will always help blogs grow and reach new people, but isn’t it nice to have a home that no one is the boss of but you? (and maybe a hosting service, haha). It’s the best.
I’m there now! I missed just journaling my life all my content was recipes Andy DIY…it wasn’t what I really wanted to write about. So…I started over and I’m writing about the things that interest me now. It feels so much better than trying so hard to get a pin!
That’s so perfect! I had a similar experience (with the pins) and my outfit photos. Unfortunately for me, my old, more girlie style of dressing used to get pinned and clicked like crazy but my current style doesn’t. And to be honest, sometimes I feel the pressure to go back for the sake of the views (so embarrassing to admit) but in the end, I’m me. The people interested in that will find me. The rest can enjoy their time in the 2015 archives. Haha.
oh yes!!!! this would be so awesome! I find that Instagram sucks me in… and before I know it I’ve lost all sense of time! and to be honest it seems to be all the same. Personal Blogs are what got me interested in the blogging platform all those years ago so hopefully they stick around for many many years to come!
SAME! I mention it in my post about reining in my social media time on my phone. By default I was just opening the app, scrolling, closing it and doing it all again in like 5 minutes time. Pointless. But so tricky! Haha. I want to know more, see more, and I think personal blogs are where that’s at. Fingers crossed!
I would love to see the re-emergence of personal blogs! I’m so over (underlined!) the sameness of the IG world – all the filters and falsities – and just want to be with real people who are doing their best to navigate life in an authentic way. I love the friends and connections that blogging has given me – and the lack of competition, I may never be an “influencer” but that’s okay – for me it’s all about being real and sharing our journeys 🙂
Instagram did that to themselves, right? They created this algorithm that rewards the same content (same look and same style) over actual substance and then complained because people were ‘gaming’ the system. Well, dah. Haha. Blogging has taken some hits along the way too with shiny, corporate blogs designed for the specific purpose of revenue raising. But we’re coming back, I think. It’ll be the personal in personal blogger that people are searching for. Just like you and me are. I believe that so strongly.
I hope you’re right. I’m not a massive fan of Facebook but still have a profile because of groups and my author page. Most posts to FB come from Instagram – which I am a fan of. Blogging though is a fave and the connections I’ve made are great.
Oh yes, I have allllll the socials and while I enjoy most of them, and have found great little communities at each, blogging is the centre of the whole thing. This blog is the reason they exist. The rest is just icing. I’ll always come back to the blog.
Love this. I’ve been in love with blogging since my very first post too. I love the versatility it offers and the great variety. Hope you enjoy blogging in 2020. I’m looking forward to it!
Kindred spirits, it seems. <3 Thank you, you too. Whether the world at large takes us up on 2020 being the year, I feel like it might just be the one.
I never entirely left my blog but I do miss those days of really connecting with others through my blog. So many people now don’t start a conversation. I LIKE being able to talk to others and I liked the back and forth that used to happen. Too often now people don’t comment even when the story or the post does strike a cord.
I hear you on that. The good old days in so many ways with plenty of actual connection and community. That said, I see a lot more interaction on Facebook than in the comments these days, but I guess whatever is easiest. I’m glad to still have people talk back and interact with what I write or share. Maybe we just have to take it as it comes NOW rather than looking back at what was.
Hey friend, in light of this post (and a desire to get back to writing in way I can) I played along with a word meme, and nominated you for a “special blogger award” Check it out over on my blog
I actually came across the post already via Facebook! Haha. I was pretty surprised to be tagged, but I’ve saved all the details and I’m going to do it. Thanks for thinking of me, this is going to be awesome!
Yes! I’m planning on blogging more this year. Last year my blogging took a backseat to Instagram but I kind of missed it?
Di from Max The Unicorn
I hear you on that. And I love photos, and taking photos, but in the end I miss that space that my blog gives me to share. No word count, no limit on photos, all that. It’s time for a comeback, I think. I can’t wait to see what you do this year then. 😉
Oh yes! Live on and love strong bloggers of the world. As one who has finally got her writing mojo back after a few year hiatus this post makes me H.A.P.P.Y 🙂 I kinda wish I had my old blog to dust off – but starting a fresh is fun too.
Starting fresh is SO much fun. Finding your voice is the best. And it looks like my prediction is coming true already. Haha. But seriously though, doesn’t it feel like TIME? We have things to say, let’s say them.
Really enjoyed this post and I agree, it’s not the time to be silent. But perhaps more than ever, we appreciate everyone has an opinion and that matters? I’m interested to see how this goes!!
Thank you, Lauren. Me too, I think the year ahead will be telling on a lot of fronts.