It seems as though every year there’s a new article (or ten) asking the question, “Is blogging dead?” and despite all the opinions, we’re still here.
Maybe you’ve stuck with the same blog since the beginning or maybe you’ve bounced around a little or maybe you’re like me, a combo of both. Regardless, if you’re here reading this in this moment, chances are blogging is, in fact, not dead.
Duh 😉
I was recently reminded about Bloglovin, which I used for years and years to follow all my fellow farmer/homesteaders/crafters/chefs/local food enthusiasts! They were having some challenges with the platform in 2022 and I thought they’d become completely defunct.
Apparently not, though, as I just popped over on a whim and it’s all still there. Who knew?
When (I thought) everything went sideways with it, and as I began to explore more family history/genealogy blogs, I moved over to Feedly. In my move, I brought over the blogs from Bloglovin’ that were still active at the time.
And now, a few years later, I’ve added in the WP Reader more formally where I’m following a wide variety of bloggers including avid readers, fantastic photographers, aspiring and brilliant writers, and Wil Wheaton (because, of course I am).
So many of my favorite bloggers over the years have fallen away so I am so pleased when an old favorite old-school blogger pops up in one of my Readers.
Some of these long-term favorites include:
- Dave at Happy Acres Blog talks about four season growing, tracks his weekly harvests, and shares the meals made from his harvests.
- Marisa at Apartment 2024 shares random musings on her truly old fashioned blog. Marisa is also the author of Food in Jars (the website as well as the books) and has become my go-to for canning inspiration each Autumn when the abundance arrives.
- Erik at Root Simple writes about all things Back to Basics and DIY while living in Los Angeles. Erik and Kelly have also written two wonderful DIY books that have lived on my shelves for years.
- Natalie the Explorer is the current host of the Weekend Coffee Share and also shares her regular explorations and adventures through her gorgeous photos and storytelling.
- Robin at Breezes at Dawn shares her life reflections, poetry, quotes, and gorgeous photography.
A few things all of these blogs have in common?
- They’re all very different in content and voice
- They’re each incredibly authentic as humans experiencing and contributing to the world around them
- None of them have flashing ads or continuous pop ups
Unfortunately, I’ve found that the vast majority of blogs I’ve followed over the years have either been left silent for many years or simply no longer exist at all. I honestly miss some of these strangers-turned-acquaintances (and a few true friends) that shared thoughts, inspirations, and chats regularly.
And so now I’m turning to you, Dear Reader and (most likely) Blog Writer, do tell me (pretty please) who your favorite bloggers are and why in the comments. Feel free to leave links if you like! I desperately need/want to fill out my Reader with a diverse group of blogs and would be so appreciative of your recommendations!
Thank you for being here, for writing, for reading, and for not giving up on this lovely community.
xoxo,
Melissa
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Hi from New Zealand! I put in links to bloggers I like on my Monday ‘Small Pleasures’ posts so you can check that list out if you like.
Hi! Oh yes, I love your Small Pleasures posts! I’ve greatly enjoyed popping around the links you provide there 🙂 Thank you for being here!
I’d have to think about it for a while, but most of my favorite bloggers are ones that I have connected in in some fashion. OK, once example is Resa. It might seem odd, since one of her blogs is about the high fashion gowns she creates from old and recycled material. She also has another blog where she shares her finds of street art (graffiti) that she discovers around Toronto: https://graffitiluxandmurals.com/ . I’ve done a couple of collaborations with her, including writing a song about the war in Ukraine that she used on one of her posts.
Hi Trent! Not odd at all! I think one of the most wonderful things about blogs is that they open us up to worlds we have never even imagined existed or that we might take even the slightest interest in. Humans are such cool creatures in this way 🙂 Thank you for the link, I’m off to check out what Resa is up to!
I have been blogging for a number of years on various topics – I once had three blogs – Travel Words and Earth Laughs in Flowers (flowers and gardens) were my first, then Cornwall in Colours was started when I moved in 2016 and is all about Cornish things. I follow a smallish group of bloggers with different and similar interests, mostly travel, flowers, walks, photography.
https://www.thehungrytravellers.blog/
http://wetanddustyroads.com/
http://stillrestlessjo.com/
https://www.toonsarah-travels.blog/
http://lifeonebigadventure.com/
http://lagottocattleya.com/
are a few. Jo has links to other sites on her walks posts. And Leya (aka Ann-Christine is one of the Lens Artists who post weekly challenges). I find challenges are a great way to meet fellow bloggers.
Jude (from the SoS gang)
What a wonderful list, Jude! Thank you so much for sharing some of your favorites! I’m enjoying building a small community of like-minded folks again and love to read the thoughts of long-time sharers. I so appreciate you being here 🙂
Hi, Melissa, I don’t think blogging is dead just evolved. When I first started blogging back in 2010 WP felt more of a community and I developed numerous friendships across the world. Bloggers with many shared interests or opinions or we just clicked. I confess I did abandon my blog for a while when I co owned and ran writingforums.com and I lost many of my regular followers. When I returned to some of my favourite blogs, many were abandoned. Maybe they will return one day. I often wonder what happened to these people.
Blogging back in 2010 was new and exiciting.
As for my favourite blogs, I have many 🙂
I agree with you on so many points here. Thank you. The evolution, I believe, has been skewed by the push for social media, at least in part. I fell into that trap and am not sorry for it entirely, but recognize now that one can only do so much and everything is a trade. I’m glad to be spending more focused time in the blog realm and to be leaving social media behind in most ways. Thank you for being here 🙂
I have made so many dear friends through blogging, some of whom I have been fortunate enough to meet. A wonderful way to connect with like-minded folks. I, too, like Robin’s blog as well as Barbara’s (Thistles and Kiwis.) And too many others to mention.
It really is such a cool platform to meet people we’d never otherwise have the opportunity to know. Thank you for being here <3
A-a-a-w, thanks so much. And thank you for blogging!
Melissa, Thank you for the mention. I have a “My Blogging Community” widget on the sidebar of my blog so you can check it out if you like. Have a good week!
Thank you for all you offer to our blogging community, Natalie! I will click through your widget 🙂
The book blogging community is wonderful and I don’t think blogging will go away anytime soon. Personally, sometimes I take breaks then come back to it. I’ve been doing this for over a decade and still visit the same blogs from day 1 plus it’s always nice finding new blogs like yours to follow. Happy blog hopping! Thanks for sharing these blog links.
Thank you for being here and for sticking with this community for so long. I’m so pleased to have found you and so many other fantastic blogs to fill my blogger heart. Hope you’re enjoying a lovely week!