I was at work having lunch earlier today, I was browsing through my bloglist, and I came across this article entitled Is there still a place for personal blog posts? The moment I saw the title I was like, how can you read my mind?! I was thinking the exact same thing. When I started blogging years ago, the blogs I follow are purely personal. Whenever I visit their page I feel like I was reading someone else’s diary. It was so therapeutic indulging in their thoughts. I felt like I had a genuine connection with them even though I was just a silent reader and don’t really comment. Fast forward to today, majority of them stopped writing because I guess they have matured, and choose to live their lives as it is? Nevertheless, I’m still always looking for organic bloggers like them and try to connect.
Most bloggers nowadays have shifted from writing personal pieces to more entrepreneurial ones. I would often see the posts like “How to grow your blog” or “Make money through blogging” or “Pinterest / Instagram algorithm guides” here and there but rarely do I see someone talking about their daily lives. Maybe I’m on the wrong side of the cyberspace? Or maybe we have all evolved? Don’t get me wrong, my niche is also slowly drifting to that side and I post a lot about know-hows on living in the Cayman Islands. I don’t want to lose that personal aspect though, and hopefully the others too.
So about my day, it was a bit busier than a normal since yesterday was a public holiday. My deliverables have piled up. These past few days I don’t really spend a full hour lunch break because I want to finish as much tasks as I can so I could go home at exactly 5 o’clock. I sit at the end of the office by the way, alone, so silence has been my best friend since day one. One good thing is I sit near the pantry (or kitchen / lunch room as they would say). I have a small tumbler with me so whenever I finish drinking my water, I get to stand up and refill. That happens every hour or so, thus I get a little bit of exercise and a quick wakeup call lol. I do appreciate some of my co workers that roam around and checkup on everybody. It gets boring sometimes to be honest. By 12noon I would put on my headphones and play some good music to lighten the mood; half of the day has passed, half more to go!
I try my best to have a work-life balance. I like going home when the sun is still up, especially when it’s the golden hour; it makes everything look picturesque. It makes me feel like there is still life after work, if you know what I mean? You know how depressing it is when you go to work before the sun rises, and go home after the sun has set? Like the day just passed you by. Well that’s just me, because I work in a “box” and the sun don’t really shine on me that much.
As I was walking home earlier I thought, why not share some snippets of my neighbourhood with you? So you could see mundane things I see on a daily basis. As simple as it is 🙂
19.3823423-81.3894297
I'm usually a silent reader, but I just had to comment to tell you that I agree with you so much! I love personal blogs and it really makes me sad how blogging has gone because most of it feels like the same generic content. If I never have to read another post again that's just a list it'll be none too soon! I like reading about people's lives and experiences and it's so hard to find nowadays, everything has become too polished and filtered.
Exactly! That's why I constantly browse and check bloggers out there, hoping to discover more personal ones.
Thanks for dropping by I really appreciate it. 💕
Silent reader here too! But lately, I like dropping a few comments here and there. I share the same sentiment with you. Nowadays, it's rare to find personal blogs but then, I wouldn't say they are obsolete (yet) because you and I still exist. hehehehe
PS. You're neighborhood looks to peaceful, I love it! xx
Renee | http://www.renalexis.com
Your neighborhood is beautiful! I enjoy reading personal blogs too. I'm fascinated by glimpses into different lifestyles, homes, hobbies and points of view.
xoxo
Lovely
http://www.mynameislovely.com
Beautiful surroundings (the area shown in these pictures looks so peaceful). Thanks for sharing 🙂.
That is so true! Thanks for dropping by 💕 and yes it is peaceful here 😊
Thank you Lovely! Yes it is, and peaceful too with nice neighbors 😊 Thanks for dropping by!
Thank you! It is indeed peaceful here 💕
I love reading about people's mundane lives! I started blogging when people still wrote about life, but the trends were starting to shift then, in 2010.
The entrepreneurial type of posts can probably be useful for people, but honestly, do we really need two million blogs talking about the same thing? Certainly every blogger has their own view and writing style but still, there are so many posts out there that are just the same old. I really miss the variety that blogs used to have.
I think personal blogs should be seen as a type or niche of blog just like any other, just that they are more of hobby projects usually. As for bringing value, you can do that through your personal stories, by inspiring or just entertaining people. I believe there is value in the ordinary and that people need a break from curated Instagram feeds and perfect fashion magazine style blogs with lists of what to buy.
I write a personal blog and will continue doing that as long as I enjoy doing it. I believe there are still people out there who enjoy reading that kind of posts, just as I do. Personal blogs have always been a great way to connect with people and I guess that's why I've wanted to hang on to it, but also because I'm interested in people.
I know absolutely nothing about the Cayman islands, I need to explore your blog now! 🙂
I have been changing my blog from one thing to another because I feel like I couldn't catch up. Some transitioned to entrepreneurial blogs, and I would like to stay as personal blog. I'm trying not to be influenced by other blogs that much haha.
Your neighborhood is so peaceful! Its a nice balance between work and life 🙂
I love reading personal blogs! I agree that blogs these days are too polished and it's very rare to find any personal posts at all. I miss blogging days where we wrote of our everyday life and not just magazine-like blog posts. I wanna write more personal posts after this! x
erin | littlesipsoftea.com
My thoughts exactly! I'm glad that someone also shares the same sentiments. I love reading about personal blogs, it is indeed a great way to connect with people. Thank you for dropping by and will definitely check out your blog too! 💕
Couldn't agree more! A lot has actually transitioned to entrepreneurial blogs but I'd like to remain as a personal blog. Thanks for dropping by, much love 💕
True! A lot of times I stumble upon curated blogs with perfect photos and everything, and I feel pressured to do the same. But I just keep in mind that being organic and genuine to who you are is much better, so I just let it be and write whatever I want! lol. Thanks for dropping by 💕
I just came across your blog and I'm so glad. I agree with you and I miss these kind of blogs. I think that's why I stopped blogging for awhile and had a hard to sticking to it recently. I don't mind writing posts that are my thoughts on certain topics because I have a lot of them. But I'd love to just share thing that happen. Sometimes it's so hard to write about mundane things because I don't know how to make them interesting. I know it isn't about how many views or comments you get, but they're still nice so I want people to want to keep reading.
Thank you Catie! I agree with you, sometimes it is hard to write about mundane things because they are not interesting at all! But yes it's still nice to read and somehow know how everybody else is doing. Happy holidays! 🙂
This might come in really late as I am reading this in 2021, but Ann my dear, I still do enjoy reading through blog posts about normal days and personal endeavors. I may be old school, but I still think that that's how blogs should really be – an extension of our thoughts put into words hoping to resonate with souls and form a certain sense of bond and friendship. That's how I was led to you, in the first place 😉
I hope 2021 will be a fruitful year for all of us, and I look forward to reading more of your days in this beautiful space of yours!
Cheers,
Hanna / Heydays With Hanna
Thank you ate Hanna! That's why you are one of my constants too! Hope this year will be full of happiness for you as well <3
I've been giving this a lot of thought too, I started reading personal blogs many years ago and it was fun. Blogs these days are all about bringing value to the audience and I've come across posts that says "no one wants to know about your personal life". I try to do both, as much as I can because I enjoy writing 🙂
I definitely do enjoy reading personal blogs!
Shuana
http://www.howivebeen.com
Wow! That post sounds so cynical lol but we can't blame them, I guess blogging really has evolved from what it was before. Nevertheless I still enjoy reading personal blogs. Thanks for dropping by Shauna really appreciate it 😊
During pre-covid days, I'd work at a 9-5 shift and it'd be almost dark when I arrive at home due to the an hour commute and it makes me so lonely that I do feel the same way. I felt like I've been spending my life at work and I don't want that to happen on a daily basis.
Now that a lot has changed since COVID happened, I work at an 8-4 shift most of the week and 2-10 shift every Friday. I get to arrive at home when the sun is still up on my 8-4 shift while I'd do things for myself before going to work every Friday. It feels like there has balance on a weekly basis. Hehe.
Always,
Ra / Indie Spirit
Hi Ra! Covid has really changed a lot for us! Indeed life work balance is important. Hey we need to live life too and not just work work work. Hope you are having a great day today. Keep in touch 🙂