About 14 months ago, I announced I would quit blogging, or maybe I really meant ‘slowing down’ because I’ll decide to post something at least maybe once a year, because it is tempting to be able to share some of what you had seen, for people’s knowledge. I just don’t think I can continuously blog like I used to, in my prime years from 2017-2024.

Many things have changed for me, and my interests, especially as I was reaching towards the end of my 20s and going into my 30s. Choosing to stop really blogging after 7 years sounds like a hard conclusion to come to, but it was right for me. I wanted to break it down as to why it was below. However, this website will always remain a testament to my love for adventure and to share that, so others can continue to find their own… therefore why I decided to keep it up. 

The things written below are strictly my opinions, but they could be used for “food for thought” if you’re interested in blogging or new to it.

Trying to have less screen time

Blogging requires you to be on the internet and to use up several hours researching for your writing, and structuring the blog posts. Not only that, but you have to keep up with some trends of how other bloggers are doing things, and there’s almost a need to keep up with that on social media. I just don’t have the capacity to keep on keeping up with engagement and trends; it is mentally and physically draining. At a time when I was getting lots of likes and comments on my posts, around 2019-2021, that was a result from the hard work of engaging.

I almost lost sight that blogging isn’t just about promotion, it really is about having the love for writing, which is why I originally started my blog. Having to do extra things for it on a daily could wear off the feeling of the passion you started off with. In fact, because I still admire writing, I am now focusing on doing that with my Substack newsletter.

Honestly, sitting for hours at a desk and looking at screens added to my fatigue, when I was already working jobs that required more screen time. I’ve seen an improvement in my health when I stepped away from the screens more.

My values and priorities shifted.

We are sold the dream that doing content creation will set the path for financial freedom, or more interesting than, let’s say, a 9-5 job. While that is the path for some, it’s uncommon and actually rare. It is promoted everywhere, and I am guilty that I’ve promoted a bit of that from my years-old blog posts, but I never promoted that it should be done while quitting your current job. I’ve witnessed business owners and influencers share their own story of how they got out of the rat race. I always saw and warned that this kind of work, side gig or full-time, is NOT a short-term strategy, and it isn’t for the weak.

I found that stability and security are better for peace of mind, and work like blogging should be used as something to do on the side, with the enjoyment of loving to write.

I just saw that there were more meaningful things in life, too, and it was having all my focus on connection. Human connection. I’ve always had it in my life, but time is precious. Instead of focusing on too many hobbies that I have to do alone, I could also be sharing time with others.

The one hobby that I sometimes share with others and that my blog focuses on a lot, traveling, is something I’ve been doing less of each year. I also did cover local roadtrip spots, but even then, I haven’t been doing it as much, either or I felt like I already did. I do not want to keep documenting everything (or have that ‘invisible pressure’).

Anyway, with human connection, I prefer to have that shared in person, which means less screen time. I also wanted to invest in the things that would require lots of my attention, so I’d have to let go of other things to do so. 

An example of that would be to focus on my career aspirations and fewer hobbies that don’t require screens. I’m constantly learning in my hobbies and in my choice of career; studying and taking in new information will take a lot of energy.

AI is changing the game of blogging and everything else.

AI was around while I was active on my blog, but I never wanted to use it to write for me. I do see the benefits of it automating work and making it easier, but some authentic bloggers prefer to publish what they wrote word for word. I am one of those. I do use AI for Grammarly to correct some of the grammar in my writing, but I do not prefer it to write things for me.

Blogging is evolving, and it has evolved a lot. It has become more competitive in search engines, and I don’t think search engines just favor original writers anymore.

Although I’ve been reading up that the type of blogs that could survive in this AI era are the ones with real experiences, personality, and unique information, I still feel it would be hard to maintain that, especially when the biggest reason for shying away is prioritizing other things that require your energy. The competition is a lot tighter, too.

Plus, sometimes those AI overviews can get you to an answer quicker than reading blogs. Though I do not always recommend that; I do recommend supporting blogs by reading them for detailed information and perspectives.

I will keep growing.

I will cherish the time I’ve had when I gave my all to my blog. Many people also do so and realize there’s so much to juggle in their lives, and it is too hard to keep up documenting about it all. Some responsibilities like having new jobs, family, moving, relationships, juggling other hobbies, and going to school are what people (bloggers) have. I can see myself evolving in what happens in my own life too, and it needs my attention.

We’re constantly evolving because that’s how most humans are programmed to be, and that means it won’t always be the same chapter in our lives.