Is blogging dead?

There comes a point when it's been so long since you've written anything, you're not quite sure where to start. This is the position I've found myself in, and it seems as though there is now too much to catch up on, so I'm just going to dive right in. Contrary to the evidence, neither this blog or the blogger have expired yet, but the reason for the provocative title will become apparent.

Portuguese tomatoes, as seen on Instagram
I can't believe it's already heading towards the end of September and the Autumn equinox*. The kids have settled quickly into the new term and routine, including MB who has taken to Secondary School like a duck to water, despite all the homework... and the hormones! My husband is onto another (stressful) project in London, and I'm sitting here with the dog (whose epilepsy seems to be under control, thanks to twice-daily medication) and a million ideas zooming around in my head. Our incredibly relaxing family vacation already feels like an eternity ago. 

Loulé Market, Portugal

It always takes me a while to adjust after the Summer - the house suddenly seems really big and empty and I find it difficult to settle when the sun is still shining outside. However today's early morning chill meant I was able to wear my Soundwaves Cowl and it made me feel quite excited to get some new projects on the needles and hook. In fact, it was reassuring because I haven't been in the mindset for yarn-crafting for a while - mostly due to a combination of warm weather, a million other things to do, and residual aches from a bout of repetitive strain. New things will be good! 

Scheepjes Rhythm in Mohair & Alpaca - find it at Wool Warehouse & other stockists

Speaking of new things, did you see that you can now import your Ravelry patterns to use on the LoveKnitting App (reviewed here)? For me, this is great news as I hate printing patterns out and have an extensive Ravelry library accumulated over the last six years. I love that I can access the patterns on the LoveKnitting App on my iPad and iPhone (I don't go far without my phone) and I'm thinking of making it easier to access some of my patterns which I've provided for free on the blog, by making PDF versions available for a very small nominal fee. What do you think? Would that make it easier for you to use them? 

Anyway, let's come back to the title of this post. I keep hearing that 'blogging is dead', that 'no one reads blogs anymore'. That micro-blogging and social media are the way forwards. It's certainly true that it's quicker and more immediate to share something on Instagram these days. See something that catches your eye? SNAP! It's shared with your followers in a matter of seconds. And they respond in a way that isn't happening here anymore - where once there would be loads of feedback and community comments, now there are just a few reader comments and lots of SPAM. Another plus for Instagram. 

The last few Dahlias have already been picked
Being a stubborn (Taurean) Blogger, I refuse to believe that blogging is dead, however I'm also thinking about the way that content is delivered to you in the future. My earlier foray into Periscope broadcasts was fun and I am considering Facebook Live and Instagram Stories as I prepare the Autumn and Winter schedule - there may be a few changes accordingly, although I'm still weighing the pros and the cons (such as me and my studio needing to look more presentable than we currently do, and preferring to be behind the camera). Of course, there's another issue - video content is easy to share and consume, but I actually LIKE TO WRITE. The process of doing so gives me clarity that I don't get from talking at myself on a screen. It's the reason I keep journals too. So I'm still not sure about the future, but would love to hear your thoughts. Is blogging a waste of time? Would you prefer bite-sized snippets on social media instead? 

For today though, it's good to be back at my desk and to find my fingers flying over the keys like I haven't been away for so many weeks. I have some yarn and book reviews coming up very soon, as well as a few new patterns that I'm working on, so I'll certainly be back before too long. 

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* I've written some personal development prompts for the equinox here - they are presented in a Tarot spread format as I use Tarot to help with my journaling, but would also work as straight journal prompts if you don't use any cards. Feel free to use the questions in any way that works for you, if you're so inclined. 

40 comments

  1. I love reading blogs! I have a few favourites that I'll save for a lazy Sunday morning sitting with coffee and thoroughly enjoy the quiet time. Having said that I've just started watching podcasts and really enjoy that I can sit and knit and watch. I absolutely believe that the vlogs and podcasts are going to be detrimental to the way we communicate but I still LOVE a really good read.

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    1. Thanks, Amanda. It's great to know how you consume blogs. Personally, I like to get posts emailed to me, or to follow and access via Facebook. But I do like to click through to read the post in the native environment. I think I might be 'old-fashioned' :D

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  2. I still read your blogs and enjoy them

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  3. I read multiple blogs everyday, and prepare posts on my blog five days a week. While Instagram is nice, I prefer blogs and the information they provide. Sometimes "instant" is not enough, and I want something of substance: blogs provide that substance.

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  4. I love to read blogs from folks I really admire..you being one of those! Too much instant everything just seems unsettling to me...guess I'm old-fashioned.

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  5. Unfortunately, people for quickies. Writing is time consuming, and also reading doesn't come that easy for many. A picture they can put a heart or a thumb-up is the ticket. There are only half as many clicks and comments on my blog post than there used to be, which makes me a bit sad. It may be because I don't write as often as I used to as I work more in school. It may be because there is so much going on in the www, there are more interesting blogs than mine, I my be old-fashioned (I'm allowed to be. I'm in the mid fifties. hihihi). At least there are so many blogs. However, I like writing (instagram and facebook don't provide enough space for thoughts, ideas and information), and I like reading. If there are pictures, it's even better.
    I like your blog, I keep reading it. :-)

    All the best, Regula

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    1. Yes. I think this is all true. I subscribe to your blog by email and leave reading your posts. I’ve told you before, it makes me lazy about coming to comment, as it’s right there in my inbox. But please do keep writing. Your projects are always so interesting and varied xxx

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    2. LOVE reading your posts! Stupid phone!!! �?�

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  6. Guess I'm just as old-fashioned as some of the other commenters. I love to read blogs, I love to see the photos, read about other bloggers' adventures, I love that so many blogs come with patterns / tutorials, I just love to take the time to sit down with a cuppa and read. I have both a Facebook and an Instagram account but somehow it just doesn't feel right to post about my crafty adventures there, I prefer to do that on my blog (plus I prefer to take photos with a "real" camera, I'm rubbish at taking photos with my phone). I guess it all depends on what one is after - want to see a lovely photo to help make your day better? Instagram. Have a problem with your knitting / crocheting and need help or advice? Facebook. Looking for a pattern? Ravelry. Anything else? Blogs. Or at least that's it for me.

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  7. I love reading blogs. I tend to have a quick look at instagram and Facebook throughout the day when I have a few spare minutes, but read blogs in bed or when I have more time. I think there is a place for both, I would really miss my favourite blogs - yours included - if they were to disappear.

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  8. I love blogs! I don't get time during the week to read everything, but I have my email rules set up to file everything in appropriate folders and sub-folders and when I have leisure time over the weekend I indulge myself in reading all of the things I've glimpsed during the week. Although, there are rare exceptions like today where I look at interesting stuff first - instead of doing the work I should be doing! Thank you for your blog, I do enjoy it immensely. :)

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    1. Oh blogs are a great procrastination activity, aren't they! Thanks for the feedback.

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  9. I think there is a place for both. I find things like those '5 in 5 minutes' style speeded up craft videos so popular on FB are fun but often you want something a bit more in depth and that's where a blog comes in. IG is great for ideas but doesn't show me the how - it just makes my to do list longer!
    I for one will be reading blogs for a while yet!

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  10. I'm one of those rarest of people....I've neither a Facebook, Instagram, Snapchat​ or Twitter account nor do I enjoy podcasts. Facebook, Snapchat and Twitter are venues that have little depth or substance. I prefer reading blogs where the author has taken time and care to take a thought and flesh it out and clothe it before sending it out into the world. The poor, naked shivering skeletons of thought found in those other venues are just sad shadows of a good read. Instagram has pretty pictures.... that's it, pretty pictures. Pictures are nice. I like pictures. But have you ever tried to figure out how to do a thing from 3 or 4 pretty pictures of a completed thing? Uh huh. And while I know that a lot of people like podcasts, I don't. I retain information better by reading it than hearing it. Videos that show how to do a thing can be useful but I still prefer, for the most part, a series of still shots that I can take my time to study closely.

    I sincerely hope that blogging isn't on it's deathbed. I enjoy reading my favorite blogger's posts on and off during the day when I take a break and in the evening when the hubs is watching some sport or another on TV.

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    1. Ah Kim, this is great, I love your skeleton imagery and am I'm delighted to have found one of the few people who doesn't have all the social media accounts - it's very refreshing! I'll keep the words and pictures coming. :D

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  11. I love reading blogs and although I haven't been writing on mine much lately (I got bitten by a rabid blogger and got put off), I enjoy the clarity of thought that writing offers. Bite-sized isn't enough for me, either to give or to receive. Keep up the good work!

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  12. Blogs are still good to read and give so much more than IG. They are time consuming to write, so totally understand that it can be de-motivating if you think people aren't reading them but we still are! Keep going, even if posts are fewer, your blog is great!

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    1. Yay, good to know that so many people are still here and reading. Thanks for checking in :D xx

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  13. Whilst I enjoy watching podcasts, I find that blogs are something I can go back to for refreshing my memory when something I have read creates a "spark". Although I enjoyed your Postcard series, I still missed your own writings.

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    1. Thank you, Lisa. Plenty more posts to come over the next few weeks, I hope you find something sparky in them :)

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  14. I love your blog! I have a bit of a butterfly brain & don't really pay full attention to videos or podcasts, blogs allow me to dip in & out in my own time. I really appreciate the work that goes into them, I can barely string a coherent sentence, and the generosity with which your lives/ wonderful ideas are shared. However often you choose to post it will always be read with interest & enjoyment.

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    1. Thank you so much Sharon, that means a lot. And thank you for being such a regular participant in the comments :)

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  15. I like blogs and will sit and catch up with them when I get (make the) time. I need to read beautiful writing, clever writing, long sentences, full paragraphs with proper punctuation and content to make me think. All of which I can find on your blog (and others) and much of which Instagram can only partly fulfil. So although the 'stories' and live broadcasts are interesting they can only give you a snapshot whereas a blog will often dig deeper. Please keep writing xxxx

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    1. Thanks, Tamara. It's great to know that so many people appreciate the blog posts - it certainly makes me feel happy about continuing. xxx

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  16. In short, if people move on to a more instant 'hit', then blogging may not have been for them in the first place. I think blogs will always be there for those who want to write something of value. And there'll always be an audience of people who would rather read an interesting post than scroll through endless pictures of peoples dinners, pets and kids.

    I've seen a lot of people switch to what they call podcasting and it's a shame when it's someone whose written blog I read. it has to be something unusually good for me to commit that amount of time. Even if it's someone visiting interesting places and interviewing interesting people then I's still rather see photos and text on a page.

    Keep up the good work, it's appreciated!

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    1. Thank you, Shiela. I appreciate the feedback and it's also the reason I never did switch to podcasting - I don't usually have time to watch them myself. With a blog I can quickly read through and stop to ponder when it's something I want to savour in more depth. It's good to know I'm not the only one. x

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    2. Exactly. No matter how interesting the places or people or projects, I still prefer still photos and written words. I tried to watch a couple of videos made by a couple of different bloggers whose writing style I enjoy tremendously. Here's my takeaway from those experiences. Most people are not comfortable in front of a camera and it shows. Most people's speaking style is not as seamless and flowing as is their writing style. Someone who writes well is not necessarily a natural orator. Writing allows time for editing and polishing your thoughts and how you wish to present them to your audience. Most podcasts/videos are not completely scripted beforehand and are much less polished. And, to be honest, I just don't like watching a person sitting in front of a camera talking. Someone can write a post and then video themselves speaking the same post. I can scan the written post to ascertain if there is something in it of interest to me. I can't scan a video/podcast and must sit through the entire thing to see if there's something of interest to me in it. I enjoy a written post in much the same way I enjoy a good book that you can flip back and forth amongst the pages to clarify something or just to savor a well crafted passage or turn of phrase.

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  17. I enjoy reading blogs - mostly from feedly so don't usually comment. I enjoy reading them from my phone when I have a few spare moments (or while waiting for the children to do something). I rarely have time to listen to podcasts or watch videos (I save them for later but later never arrives). I enjoy this blog and your card slinger blog - and hope you'll continue. I also have a blog, but it's been unloved over the summer...

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    1. Summer will do that! It's why I invited people to send the postcards - I know it won't happen for me otherwise, while the kids are off school! Thanks for your lovely feedback x

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  18. Please do keep blogging! I love to sit down with my Feedly sub and follow all my favourites including Crafts from the Cwtch - it just wouldn't be the same on any of the "quickie" social media sites, which are nothing like as thought-provoking or insightful. Thank you too for the Ravelry/Love knitting tip, which I need to investigate!

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    1. Thanks, Gill. I'm so glad to get this type of feedback and to know that there are still those out there who enjoy reading blogs :)

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  19. I suspect your commenters will be overwhelmingly pro-blog, since the question was posed in a blog. In any case, I'm one of those who does prefer the blog format. FB is fine for communicating with friends, but has gotten so plugged with advertisements and with forwarded.reforwarded,re-reforwarded jokes, urban legends, and political statements that it's lost much of its appeal. When faced with the plethora of e-communications, I tend to throw up my hands, turn off the electronics, and knit. Would much rather go looking for my favorites than have the noise of the electronic world come looking for me.
    --Lynda in Oregon

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  20. I thoroughly enjoy reading your blog Sarah, mostly in the wee hours when the world is still. I'm not much for social media..

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