If we were having a coffee I’d be telling you that as I looked at recent posts, that reflections have been somewhat of a common theme. So here is another.
My blog, and how it has evolved across its life. It very much started as a part of my retirement project or as I referred to it ‘What’s Next’. That was more than 10 years ago. Across that period I’ve had periods where I posted regularly and then had gaps. Over the last couple of years those gaps have been longer and my desire to post has waned somewhat.
Once again, I wondered if I would continue it. This time, when I got my web hosting bill. I nearly fell off my chair! The charge had gone through without me getting notice that it was about to renew. It was my fault, as I hadn’t notified the hosting service that the email attached to the account was no longer valid.
I wondered if it was worth the money to continue. Perhaps my blog had served its purpose. I wasn’t sure. In the end, after a chat with the hosting service, I found a suitable hosting plan that better matched how I view my blog. I’m now on a new plan and have committed to a 5-year service.
But as I discussed why I had my blog with my favourite person, I started to think about how I will use it in the future. So many of the posts in the past were about travel, but we are doing less of that now that we delight in spending time with our grandchildren. Our travel is domestic and shorter, but as my favourite person said, there is much to write about these trips.
I also blogged about my journey through my PhD which was very much a ‘What’s Next, project. I completed it around three years ago. It’s a bound book on my bookshelf. I still use what I learnt in the few consulting projects I have but I’m not sure if that is a topic for this blog .
Then there are the general reflections on wine, music, and the world. I realised, as I thought about it, that I have a number of posts on songs that look at the songs in a more reflective tone, e.g. I just want ot enjoy their music – A reflection on Bob Dylan. Perhaps that a direction for future posts?
So with my hosting service renewed, I have whet my blogging appetite with a new motivation to keep on posting!
A few years ago, when laws regarding blogs changed and adjustments had to be made, I considered quitting because it seemed too complicated or like too much effort. But after a long break from blogging, I finally sat down, got everything sorted out, and resolved in my own mind that this is *my* blog—meaning I can write whatever I want, about whatever I want, and as often or as infrequently as I like. Life changes. That mindset shift took away all the pressure and stress, and it has been a lot of fun ever since.