In late November, it’s been 9 years since I started this blog.
It’s funny, because I never thought I’d forget about this milestone. Worst: I never thought I’d intentionally leave this post to the side and… not celebrate this milestone.
Turns out that’s what I did, this year.
I’ve had this date, this anniversary, written down on my Notion blogging calendar for ages. I hoped that, when the time came, I’d have this little spark of inspiration, of creativity, this idea to make this blogging celebration fun.
I didn’t, so here I am, rambling instead.
Blogging has been ups and downs this past year. I’ll admit it: mostly down. I haven’t been feeling this slumpy about blogging in… well, 9 years. I haven’t been feeling my best personally, either, but that’s another story.
I genuinely still enjoy blogging, but I also haven’t felt like blogging.
I let so many other things in my life come first in the past year. Like, writing my book. Especially writing my book. I’ve been hyper focused on this project of mine, something I honestly want to talk about more, even if I feel crippled by anxiety about being perceived with my writing.
It’s something I want to do, something that I feel like I need to do.
Coming & going 🦘
In my 9 years of blogging, people came and went.
People stopped blogging, people stayed on social media, people disappeared to live their lives. I never thought I’d become one of these people.
I’m not one of these people.
I’m still here, a ghost, a reality, haunting this place, posting reviews, letting inspiration take me wherever, whenever.
I think I’m trying to be okay with coming and going, now.
From an excessive posting schedule to a I-can’t-relax-about-blogging mood, to this, now, I’ve gone through every emotion in the blogging spectrum, I guess.
That’s growing up, maybe.
Goals & dreams ✨
I’ve been looking for inspiration by scrolling down my old blog posts and blogging celebrations. I stumbled upon this 6th year of blogging celebration.
So, three years ago, I wanted to reach 15k followers, 10k pageviews and get mentioned in a book, basically. I kind of wanted to be paid to book blog, as well.
Full transparency here: some of these dreams came true.
I reached 10k page views a month, at times. Not regularly, but some months, I do. I’m forever amazed and grateful about that.
Some incredible people actually clicked on my affiliate links and allowed me to make a little dime. Not enough to pay for my hosting fees (these cost 120 euros a year, for full transparency), but it was something pretty cool.
The other dreams didn’t come true… and I don’t know if I care.
This sounds very negative, but hear me out. It’s not that I don’t care. I’d still be amazed and forever grateful at finding my name quoted in a book or something. I just don’t feel like putting out more energy towards these goals.
I’d rather focus on some other goals, maybe.
Hint: writing my book, maybe. Books.
Social media & presence 📱
In online bookish communities, your presence and worth seems to be determined by algorithms, now.
Let’s face it: I suck at bookstagram. I’m trying every now and then, but I’m struggling with my identity, my presence, my feed, everything on there. (Let me tell you a secret, though: it’s one of my biggest project for 2024.
I’m not on Tiktok (another secret: yet).
Most of the friends I’ve made in over 9 years of book blogging have left the blogging ship. They moved on to social media, or just moved on, quitting book blogging altogether.
I’m still here, not moving on, even if I’m a bit invisible. I’ll still here, but deeply thinking and reevaluating my presence on this blog, on social media, everywhere to match my current, my new, my dreams I’ve had for ages, back at a time where blogging didn’t even exist. (I’m 30, I’m not that old, but still, I guess blogging wasn’t a thing when I was 9, okay).
So… this year kind of feels like a bittersweet celebration, I guess.
I’m here, but not really, I’m trying, but I’m thinking (too much, as always, if you ask me), as well.
So…what’s next? 👀
This is not a goodbye post, even if it might seem like a sad little rant. I’m still having fun, sometimes. I lost bits of the spark here and there, but sometimes, I find it back. I’m still here, nine years later, and I think that has to count for something.
I don’t know if I’ll ever blog like before, if some of my old blogging dreams will come true.
I know I’ll keep on going, seeing where inspiration takes me. I’ll keep on promoting books I love, I’ll make lists that are hopefully helpful, I’ll keep doing my best to connect with bloggers I love, because I genuinely LOVE that, even if I’ve neglected it, lately, a lot. I’m sorry about that.
I’ll see what happens next, if the spark gets back here permanently, if I become some sort of social media wizard, eventually. Who knows.
I’ll keep on following other dreams, too. Maybe try talking more about writing here, or in my newsletter (which I desperately need to revive, someday). Hopefully try my best to be more active on social media and talk about books and writing, more, too. I hope you’ll meet me there, too.
Forever grateful for you for being part of this adventure, for reading this. For checking out this little corner of the internet I’ve poured my heart out in for years, now. I hope, I’ll try to keep on doing just that and I hope you’ll still be there, too.
Words aren’t enough, but: thank you. x
For more book blogging reflections, check out these blog posts:
- 8 of my Best Book Blogging Tips To Celebrate 8 Years of Blogging
- Reflecting On 7 Years Of Blogging: Lessons Learned, Wins, Fails & Goals
- 8 Hard Truths About Book Blogging (And Easy Tips To Keep On Loving It)
📌 Pin Reflecting on 9 years of book blogging on Pinterest!
How long have you been blogging, for? Do you have any tips to find the blogging spark, back?
Do you like this kind of blog post / rant? Also: what kind of post would you like to see more of, here? I’d love to hear your thoughts in comments!
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Congratulations on your 9th blogversary! I’m nearing my 8th and I relate so hard to a lot of what you said. Especially about people coming and going and us staying but starting to become okay with going.
The old blogging days were really good and it’s a sad reality that we’ll not get that back. I hope you continue to blog if it gives you joy or you find something else that gives you the same joy that blogging once was <3
Thank you so, so much for your kind words and happy early 8th blog anniversary! Such a big milestone as well. May we continue doing this as long as it brings us joy, yes! <3 <3
Congrats on 9 years of blogging. I’m glad you still post here and there. 🙂
Thank you so, so much, you’re too kind ❤️❤️
Just do what makes you happy. ❤️
Thank you, you’re so right ❤️
Happy 9th blogging anniversary. It’s normal to feel not posting or intentionally putting aside this milestone after so many years. I feel that way after 6 years. It just doesn’t feel that exciting but that doesn’t stop us from making yet another dreamy blogging goals, does it? It’s always great to stick around to this corner of the world and I’m glad to find you and I hope we are here for longer time. Here’s to many years to come 🥂
Thank you so much!! <3 Here's to hopefully, many more years of this and of sharing book recommendations!! <3
Congratulations on nine years of blogging, Marie! 🎉 Despite the downsides, that’s such an achievement, and I’m actually pretty in awe of how consistently you’ve managed to post since you started doing this. Your passion for words really shines through, and I can’t wait to eventually get my hands on a published novel of yours sometime in the future!
I get what you mean about the blogging spark fading a bit, though. I haven’t been blogging for as long as you have, so I’m lucky in the regard that most of my closest blogosphere friends are still around, but I’m sometimes still a but nostalgic for my early years. There are definitely people who have fallen off the face of the Earth and whom I miss, and like you, I just sometimes find it difficult to motivate myself to blog, even though I love having one. My life has gotten more hectic, I need time to focus on other things, and I’m constantly comparing my ideas to old ones that just seem so much better than anything I’m currently coming up with… Still, I wouldn’t give this up for anything, and I’m glad to hear you’ll be sticking around, too – you had me scared for a minute, there 😉 But anyway: Thanks so much for being part of our community, and here’s to many more successful blogging years!
Thank you so, so much, you’re so kind 🥺🥺 and this really means the world about my writing, thank you 🥺
I think, in a way, while our lives changes, it’s nice that we always have this little corner of the internet to turn to. Even with the ups and downs, we always turn back to this place and i love that.
Thank you so much for your kind words, appreciate you so much!! <3
I’m glad you’re still around! Congratulations on your 9 years!
Thank you so much!! ❤️
Again, congratulations on 9 years of blogging! That’s amazing!! I get it though, the inspiration comes and goes as the years go on. It’s also hard when the friends you’ve made start to go in different directions (I’m still here cheering you on! 😊) because it can make you feel like what is the point. I feel like that a lot. I think I’ve come to terms with the fact that my little blog is my own sanctuary where I throw the most random things up and whatever sticks, sticks. I’ve gotten really comfortable with just posting what I want to post, and if people care enough to read/watch, that’s a plus for me. I love being able to document my projects and life this way. I really hope you can find that peace with blogging one day – maybe this new year! Like I say, I’ll always be here reading for as long as you’re around! ❤️
Thankyou so, so much!! So grateful to alwayys have you cheering me on, it means the world 🥺🥺 And I love that you’re looking at this place like your own sanctuary, it’s really beautiful and what I hope to do, too <3
Thank you!! 🥺
You’re very welcome! Glad I can be here for you! 💜 I really hope you get there one day! I can’t describe to you how freeing it feels. ❤️
Congrats on 9 years. That’s such a huge accomplishment. I totally understand your feelings. I’ve been struggling with Insta too, and I’m not on TikTok either. I like blogging so much more than those. lol
Thank you so much! There’s something so comforting about old school blogging ahah ❤️
I’ve been book blogging on and off for ten years and I completely get all of this. I find blogging really hard work now, and that’s not to say it is a bad thing, but with people generally preferring to consume shorter bursts of content on Instagram, TikTok, YouTube and such like, which I’m absolutely rubbish at keeping up with, I sometimes wonder if the power of the written word is worth pursuing. I’ve fallen back into a mental health rut so I think that’s why I’m a little disheartened at the moment, but the nice thing is that it is always there to come back to and there will be at least one person who will care. Prioritise you and the rest will follow.
10 years, what an incredible milestone, yay! 😍
I completely get that feeling though. Blogging is hard work, it takes a whole lot of effort and it can be quite complex, at times, too. It’s a bit disheartening and it makes me feel sad that blogging is losing its appeal, but you’re so right. There are always a couple people here appreciating the written word and the beauty of blog posts. We’re here <3
Thank you so much for your kind words, Emma, appreciate it so much!!
Wow! 9 years is a lot! Congrats, really! I couldn’t stop myself from snorting when reading that you’re now 30 and been blogging for such a long time, and I am 30 too, but just started book blogging. 🤣 it makes for a funny coincidence, don’t you think?
I think instagram is not what it used to be anymore and I myself am struggling with it, albeit my effort is minimal lmao.
In any case, I wish you the best of luck with whatever you decide to do, and I’m hoping you’ll still be here blogging from time to time. I was happy when I discovered your blog. (:
Thank you so much! Ahah well, it’s a funny but beautiful coincidence, and so happy you’re just starting out! I hope you will LOVE it! 😍
Thank you so much for your kind words, so happy to meet you!! <3
Congrats on 9 years! While I’m sad to hear that you haven’t really been into blogging recently (which we’ve talked about a little bit), but I’m so happy that you’ve been focusing on your book! It’s something you’ve been really passionate about for a while. Congrats again 🙂 xx
Melina | http://www.melinaelisa.com
Thank you so much, Melina, so grateful to have you!! 🥺
Congrats on 9 years! This was so emotional and personal, thanks for sharing with us. Here i am starting a book blog in 2023 because yours inspired me 🙂
Thank you so much for reading! And OH 🥺🥺 this makes me so, so, so happy, thank you so much! I hope you’re enjoying blogging so far!! <3
You have big blogging goals. Mine are much smaller, but even with my small goals of a friend or two commiting on my reviews, etc. some months even that doesn’t happen. My real life friends rarely make comments on my blog then I get discouraged and think I should stop, Then I realize that I am really writing a blog for myself and my own personal record. I will move forward in 2024 plodding along. Ha!
Let’s discuss: Best Books of the year
You’re so right about this though! I think what matters the most is that we have fun doing it for ourselves, and the rest will follow. <3 I hope you'll keep on having fun and write about what you love, always 😍
thank you so much for your kind comment! <3
I loved reading your honest reflections on blogging ❤️ I’m glad that you’re still here and blogging as best as works for you right now! In the upcoming year I’ll get my first full-time job, so I’m a bit worried about how it’ll affect my blogging 🤔
I’m also not too involved in social media, I find that it just drains my energy in a way that doesn’t happen with blogging for me! I’m hoping to get a bit better at promoting my posts, but Twitter continues to be a mess 😂 I’d love to hear more about your writing if you’re willing to share 🥰
Thank you so much, Caro! It’s definitely a learning curve with a full-time job, but you’ll get the hang of it! The rhythm is different, at times, but if you love it you’ll find your own path.
And thank you for all of your support with my writing, I appreciate it so, so much <3 <3 <3
I love you, Marie! Happy (very late) blogoversary! A lot of the feelings you wrote here really resonated with me and I hope you’re able to be kind to yourself as you navigate how you want to be in this space (and all spaces, really). I’m so proud of you, your writing and so grateful for your friendship and this blog being what brought us together. 🖤
Thank you so much, Nicole, appreciate you so, SO much 🥺🥺 and forever grateful for your friendship <3 <3
Congrats on 9 years of blogging Marie! You and your blog have always inspired me from the first moment I stumbled upon your corner of the internet. Always gonna be here as a cheerleader no matter how much you post or if you end up more active elsewhere, will be cheering you on. Can’t wait for that one book of yours to be out so I can unapologetically shove it in people’s faces because yes – it’s amazing!
I think you losing the ‘spark’ for blogging may just be a shift in what you currently want to funnel your energy into. You’ve been blogging 9 years, working, writing as well as having a personal life. That’s a lot of things to juggle so I don’t this is a bad thing necessarily that you’ve not had the energy to blog. I went through a period where I just had no energy to blog for like an entire year. It was during my 1 year hiatus and I didn’t touch my blog aside from doing wrap ups. It was a very freeing experience and allowed me to reconnect with myself and other hobbies.
In the 6 years of blogging, I spent the first 3 using my blog as an escape and then took a year off. The last 2 years since my return have been where I’ve been at my healthiest with blogging, the spark isn’t always as bright as it used to be. It’s not a bad thing because our lives are very much like a tide at the liberty of the moon (aka we’re often being pushed and pulled in directions by other forces we have no control over). Don’t feel bad or guilty over not blogging as much, whatever you create we’ll all enjoy (I know I will!) and do the things that are currently lighting up that creative spark. When the blogging spark appears do that but if it’s not there for a while that’s ok.
I love this post and I’d be down for more rec posts, writing related posts, travel ones too basically anything that you’re interested in sharing hehe. 💜
Clo, love, you’re going to make me cry 😭🥺 I’m forever, ever grateful for all of your support, on this blog and with my writing, this means so much 😭🥺 (Also about my writing: probably going to bother you with it again soonish aerm, if you don’t mind 🥺)
You’re so right and I love your insight. I just feel like my energy has shifted a little bit and I don’t get that same spark, at times. I’m hoping it’s still there and will come back, from time to time, and that overall I won’t lose what I build, and the friendships I built there, either 🥺
Thank you SO much for everything, love you tons ❤️
You are always welcome to bother me with your writing – ALWAYS! Love you loads too💜
You’re the best 🥺😭
Congratulations on 9 years, Marie! Even though this year is a bit bittersweet, I hope you are proud of your accomplishments — sticking with something for almost a decade and doing as amazing as you have is incredible, and I am always in awe of you.
Personally, I could have written this post. This blogging year has been the most disconnected and sad for me. Six posts for the whole year and a whole lot of anxiety and shame for not doing more. I even missed my five year blogiversary in March and didn’t bother to celebrate it at all.
I love that you’re at peace with where you’re at and so happy you are still here. As long as it brings you joy, I hope you continue. and I’ll be a ghost popping in once in a while to see what you’re up to.
Much love and happy holidays! xo
KAL! 🥺 thank you so much for your kind words, it means the world to me, really. 🥺😭
I’m sorry you felt the same way lately, though, but I hope that you’re feeling more and more at peace with it as time goes, too. Come whenever you feel inspiration strikes, and at your own pace. We’ll always be here for you.
i hope you’re doing great and are having a lovely end of the year! sending you so much love always xo
Congratulations on 9 years! It certainly is a very different world than when we started, no? I feel you with people moving on and such. It is hard! I haven’t really “felt like it” much myself, if I am being honest. Sometimes it’s fun, most times it’s an obligation. I have no idea if/when I’ll hang it up for good- not yet, obviously, but as fewer people remain, the harder it gets to have reasons to stay. I have completely failed at social media- especially with all the new avenues. It was one thing when I just had to be present on Twitter. Then it was Instagram (wow I am bad at that!) and now Thread and Bluesky and TikTok and who knows what else. Well, I am too old for TikTok. No one wants to see me on their feed- I have no niche, frankly. Nor do I have the desire to find one, basically. I want to write one of these days, but first I need to find time to be a functional human, so. Regardless, you have accomplished a LOT over the last nine years, and no matter what, you should be so very proud of that. And I personally am very glad you are still here!
It certainly is so different. I’m on the same boat, no idea if or when I’ll give it up, I’m just going with the flow, but some days are harder than others. Things are just so different and it’s so hard to find motivation, at times, when you feel so lonely!
I have a mixed opinion about all of these social media – and stillsad about the mess that Twitter has become ahah. I really want to try to be more present, but I find it so hard to like, have a strategy and just, be there? It feels so complex and I overthink way too much there ahah.
Anyway! Thank you so much and I’m just so happy you can relate to some of these feelings. Hey, at least we got each other always! So grateful for all of your support ❤️❤️❤️
Thank you for this blog post. I hope you find your spark back soon! I’m blogging for four years now and I admit, there is some up and down. I think book blogging is evolving, mostly on social media, and it is something different now. It is hard to adapt when you love writing to express your feelings about books. Currently, I’m trying TikTok because Bookstagram is so hard for me. I don’t kwow why, but just like you pictures is not my thing.
Thank you so much for your kind words! I completely get it, it’s hard to find the right place, rhythm and everything when you’re just, not a natural at taking pictures or videos. Wishing you all the best for your TikTok!! 🥰
i know i’m late, but happy 9 years, marie!! i really related a lot to what you wrote about – i think i’m very much embracing the “coming and going” mindset (maybe a little too much emphasis on the going though haha). what you said about still enjoying blogging but not feeling like blogging is SO REAL!!! every time i come back to read posts or talk to bloggers or write my posts, i always enjoy it. but it’s just… so hard to motivate myself (or have the inspiration) to blog. but i think it’s important to be gentle and to just go with the flow, as you said! i hope some spark comes to you soon, though, and your presence is always always appreciated <3
Thank you so much!! I’m so glad you can relate to this, I feel less alone. I’ve been finding it really hard to find inspiration lately, but I hope that it’s just a moment and that the spark will be back, eventually. Thank you, appreciate you so, so much!! <3