I can totally understand the reasoning behind that. After all, writing a post takes a lot of time and effort. You will have noticed that my own blog posts have been less prolific than in previous years, although I do attribute that to things other than being pressed for time. But I have a few thoughts on blogging and it was brought on by the following.
This afternoon I was updating all my pins on Pinterest. I noticed that most of the URL's were all wrong which meant that no one would be able to find my blog. While I was there I decided to do a little housekeeping with my board that holds all of our nature studies that we have done over the years. This turned out to be a bit more labour-intensive than I had originally thought because I ended up having to go and pin everything straight from my blog in order to ensure that if one of the pins was clicked on, the reader would go straight to that specific post.
In doing all this, I began to realise something...I am blessed to have a treasure trove of recorded memories. As I was going through all the posts of our nature studies I realised what a wonderful education my children have had and how blessed all of us are for the times and things we have done and experienced together. As I scrolled through the posts vivid memories came flooding back. I remember little things that happened in those days. I remember joys, how I felt, what our walk was like, conversations we had. These posts, every one of them (nature-related or not) are memory markers, like pins in a map.
I remember for example, that the day we did our Sumac study, that the girls were not very interested and I ended up getting a little irritated at their attitudes 😏, yip! We certainly had 'those' days.
I have been blogging for 11 years, sadly I managed to lose the first 4 years of my posts when I changed my blog when we moved from SA to England. I hit 'delete' without realising that it was irretrievable. But on this blog, I have recorded many MANY happy things in our family, our homeschool, my thoughts, things that I would never have remembered if I had not blogged about them.
So I guess this is a little 'ponderous' post on the value of keeping this blog. I'm so very glad that I have recorded snippets of our lives here so that I can go back and be reminded. Last year my computer died a horrible death and all my photographs from 2015 and 2016 went with it (yes I know, I'm supposed to back them all up etc, but I didn't). I cannot get all those photographs back but I do have my blog where a good many of them were uploaded in posts and now exist on my google drive - and Flickr of course, I won't ever give that up.
We think that we will hold a moment in our minds forever, we hope to hold it forever, but life is busy and memories and moments get tucked away in the filing system of our minds, sometimes never to be retrieved. If you have ever considered keeping a blog, I want to encourage you to do so - even if it's just for you and kept on a private setting, because it really has turned out to be a blessing for me and I'm sure, in the future, you might find the same blessing of pouring over moments in your life that you had tucked away in the recesses of your mind.
Blessings and hugs to you all this lovely Saturday...
Pictures are all well and good, but it's the words I look forward to. So I visit Instagram occasionally, but I look at blogs daily, so I hope people keep blogging.
ReplyDeleteI totally agree, I also prefer the words and I too hope people keep blogging :)
DeleteI so agree. The times I have groaned and thought, 'Oh God, I suppose I ought to do another blog post'. But once it's done I'm actually quite pleased that like you said, I have not only photos but words to remind me of a time in the past. I have heard of people's blogs disappearing, and that worries me but I have to just hope it doesn't happen to me! Xx
ReplyDeleteClaire@homesweethome2015.blogspot.com
Hi Claire, firstly...I'm so glad you left a comment because now I can visit you on your blog :)
DeleteI agree with you, I hope that I keep up my blog and it doesn't become just another blog that disappears. I think that an important part of ensuring longevity is to be true to your own blogging style, i.e not following someone else's 'formula'. I try not to churn out '10 ways to XYZ' type posts. They are a dime a dozen and to be quite frank become a bit boring :)
I adore the picture of your Sweetpeas BTW - I've only ever had luck in growing Sweetpeas once and that was last year after trying and failing the previous 3 years :)
I always enjoyed your nature studies and simplify some aspects for my grandchildren when we are walking. You are an inspiration.
ReplyDeleteAwww you are so kind! You certainly live in one of the most beautiful spots in the world, I wouldn't mind spending lots of time out walking and exploring in your neck of the woods :)
DeleteI like to talk a lot so I blog. I'm not sure how many people are reading or have left reading. Like you I have friends who have since quit blogging and moved to instagram. Instagram is fun but it's so "busy" and "cluttered" with stuff. My blog is my blog and that is where I do my thought dumping!!
ReplyDeleteI'm glad you are staying at the blogging for now :)
I don't think I will stop blogging Karen, perhaps slow down in different seasons of life but I do love to write and record and yes...thought dump here :D
DeleteI have noticed a definite decline in blogging, me included, but I am keeping going just at a lesser rate while I catch up on other things. I think that bloggers love autumn so perhaps that will bring them back again!
ReplyDeleteI agree Amy, autumn certainly inspires the soul and it's hard not to share it's beauty :)
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