Back to Basics

Back to Basics

I’ve been thinking about this blog a lot recently. It has been woefully neglected this year and while part of the reason for this is because my attentions have been elsewhere – dips, work and various home improvement projects – I have also lost my way with blogging a little bit.

When I first started writing Grenglish it was as a way to record stories from my son’s early years that I could eventually print out for him to keep. After a while, I found a community of other parents doing the same thing and we all supported each other, commented on and shared each other’s ramblings. At some point, I became a ‘blogger’ and all that entailed. I was writing sponsored posts – not loads – but a few here and there to support my accessories habit. I attended blogging events and was even shortlisted for a couple of blogging awards. I turned my hobby into something more and I am not exaggerating in the slightest when I say that blogging has changed my life in so many positive ways. But, I sensed the online environment in which I had once felt so at home begin to change and I was out of my depth.

People were filming segments of their day and sharing stories with tens of thousands of people via Instagram, Facebook and something called Snapchat that I have still never managed to get my head around, while my page views were rapidly diminishing (I am, however, still incredibly grateful to the 35 people who checked in to read my last post). Where my news feed was once full of new blog posts to read, it now streams live videos. Don’t get me wrong, some of the videos are hugely entertaining and fun to watch but, I prefer to tell my stories in the written word.

I enjoy social media, but I couldn’t keep up with – or perhaps did not have enough inclination to try – all the other stuff that I felt I needed to embrace in order to become a successful blogger. Eventually, I suppose my initial enthusiasm for ‘blogging’ fizzled out.

It has been almost 6-months since my last blog post, although many have been composed in my head since then, and I have missed keeping this space updated. The break has given me ample time and opportunity to think about where I want to take it and in fact, whether I actually want to continue writing it at all.

I think I do.

I love writing about my little family and I hope that my son will enjoy reading it just as much when he is older. I have realised what I don’t enjoy doing, is promoting it. This blog was never a business to me and I was never really cut out to be a social media influencer. Call me old-fashioned, but I’m taking Grenglish back to basics. I will blog only when I have something to say and not to a schedule. I no longer want to confuse myself with SEO, rankings or algorithmy thingys. Social media is a brilliant way to connect with others so I will continue to share posts, but I am not going to start filming my entire day (no offence to those who do, I love watching!). I have no interest in trying to create noise on here, I want to create something I love and can feel proud of. Maybe some recognition will follow, but if no-one ever reads my musings again, then so be it.

Saying that, I’d really love you to stick around.

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22 Comments

  1. August 29, 2017 / 11:07 AM

    Lovely to see your blog pop up in my emails today. I know just what you mean about getting back to basics. I’ve been plodding on with my blog for years now but only posting when I want to and most of the time just my own stories (apart from today when I’m reviewing a game!)
    Hope you enjoy blogging again – I’ll be here reading, even if I don’t always comment.

    • Grenglish
      Author
      August 29, 2017 / 12:51 PM

      So lovely to see your name pop up! Thank you for sticking around. Sounds like you have a great balance! x

  2. August 29, 2017 / 11:26 AM

    I feel the same way! I don’t get snapshot other than silly pictures my kids send me & I’m not any good at this video lark! Fell out of love with totally, but coming beck to it slowly……. lets stay as we And thrn they can call us retro or vintage! Xxxx

    • Grenglish
      Author
      August 29, 2017 / 12:51 PM

      Yes! I am all for being the vintage blogger!! Lovely to hear from you xxxx

  3. Lynda Fletcher
    August 29, 2017 / 12:57 PM

    I’ve always loved reading your blog and totally understand what you mean about how the blogging world changed in the short time that I was blogging. Can’t wait to read more. Xoxo

    • Grenglish
      Author
      August 29, 2017 / 1:09 PM

      Ah, I wish you would blog again!! I love your style of writing x

      • Lynda Fletcher
        August 30, 2017 / 3:06 AM

        Thanks lovely! I am actually trying to write a novel so you might have one whole massive post to read one day! Lol

        • Grenglish
          Author
          August 30, 2017 / 8:02 AM

          Oh my goodness, how exciting! I would LOVE to read it.

  4. Sarah Derrig
    August 29, 2017 / 1:03 PM

    Going Retro and I love it!

    • Grenglish
      Author
      August 29, 2017 / 1:11 PM

      Thanks lovely!

  5. August 29, 2017 / 2:18 PM

    Good for you. It’s your life, your blog and you bloomin’ well do what you want with it.
    Look forward to your next post (no presh) 😉

    P.S. I have been shamefully rubbish at posting since my career change. Been trying to work out what (if anything) to use it for.

    • Grenglish
      Author
      August 29, 2017 / 5:57 PM

      Oooh what is your career change???

      • August 29, 2017 / 6:03 PM

        Teacher. Secondary. I’ve just finished my NQT year and loving it (mostly)

        • Grenglish
          Author
          August 29, 2017 / 8:09 PM

          How exciting! So much luck to you. I don’t think you have to use your blog for anything in particular. If you enjoy writing it then people will enjoy reading it xx

  6. August 30, 2017 / 7:02 AM

    So many of the ‘oldies’ are having this revelation. I write for me, posts that I like to remember, like our trip to Capri and a few reviews or sponsored posts thrown in for my accessories habit. Working full time, I don’t get time to promote and I did try my hand at the video thing but you need a lifetime to edit! I am plodding on because I too love it.
    Have fun with Grenglish; one day when I’m old and retired I shall have a great time re reading Mari’s World and sorting it all out.

    • Grenglish
      Author
      August 30, 2017 / 8:04 AM

      Exactly this! It’s a relief to know I am not the only one who doesn’t have the time or energy to devote to the other bits. I just love writing the posts! I think when you read back on Mari’s World when you are old and grey, you will feel very very proud x

    • August 30, 2017 / 1:27 PM

      I’ve felt the same for a long time. My blog has become a business in that it’s now most of my income, and I’m incredibly grateful for that. But I don’t really enjoy the video and social aspect of it – it has become a job, not a joy. Which means the loss of the love of writing. I’ve been having a debate over my inability to grow my Instagram numbers (which I do love) amongst such an enormous sea of successful instagrammers. And my conclusion is that the thing I love most, the thing I’m absolutely best at in everything I do, is writing. I know when I write, that I’ve done a good job. Not many people will give themselves the credit they deserve, but on my writing I will. Which tells me it’s the thing I should be doing, not fighting to stay with the leaders in the visual race. It’s very difficult to give up on all of that when it’s where the world is going, but surely there must be a place for all of us who love the written word more? I’m feeling nostalgic and cheered by those who have commented on this post. It feels like I’m at home! Shall we start a new kind of revolution?

      • Grenglish
        Author
        August 30, 2017 / 6:28 PM

        I feel nostalgic and cheered too! There is definitely room for all for us and I have enjoyed being back on the blog without the pressure of having to do all the other stuff too. I guess it’s a tricky one when your blog is your business as I imagine there’s more pressure from clients to see the numbers, but if the social aspect of it is starting to water down your writing, then there must be a better balance to be found. Lovely to catch up with you all on this post – it feels like the good old days again!

  7. August 31, 2017 / 2:37 AM

    You are incredibly talented and so lovely. I LOVE your blogs. and forward them to my friends here in Canada.

    • Grenglish
      Author
      August 31, 2017 / 8:23 AM

      Thanks so much Rickie!

  8. August 31, 2017 / 5:23 PM

    Good for you Sarah I totally get where you’re coming from! And I for one am glad that you’re going to be around again I have missed your blog! I think it’s easy to get caught up in the ‘blogger’ thing and forget why you ever started in the first place. There’s a lot to be said for going back to basics. I tend to bumble along in my own little bubble. Odd bit of sponsored stuff but mostly just me rambling on about stuff that not many people seem to be interested in reading anymore! Ha! But I love my little corner of the internet x

    • Grenglish
      Author
      August 31, 2017 / 6:19 PM

      Not many people seem to be interested in reading mine either! I sense a lot of people from our blogging ‘era’ are feeling the same. For me, it was always about the diary keeping and love of writing. However, I will ALWAYS keep coming back to yours for 2 reasons: your yorkshire pudding recipe and book recommendations!! xx

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