Honestly, I started out wanting to do a reflection post, but I’m not sure I have it in me to do that right now. As I reflect on this year, I’m amazed at how fast it actually went, despite all the difficulties. I wasn’t really going to do this type of post, but as I started writing it, I just realized how much I wanted to write.
A few remarkable positives of the year:
- I’m ending the year with a job! I’m starting part-time in the first week of January. I can already tell this will be a really nice team to be part of.
- I was published! Twice! My flash fiction story, “We’ve Been Here Before” was published in the fall issue of Sky Island Journal. My poem, “The Office Party” was included in the literary anthology, “Dear Leader Tales.”
- I bought my domain for World of My Imagination, which was a long time coming.
So, there’s definitely been some highlights. I still can’t seem to get my groove back with blogging, and I’m not entirely sure why. With next year being the 10 year anniversary of my writing blog, maybe I’ll find some blog joy along the way.
As far as creative writing goes, I’m definitely in Slump City. I wish that wasn’t the case, but I just don’t have it in me to write lately. In some ways, I’m disappointed how hard it’s been for some of my other stories to get accepted for publication. It’s wrong for me to take it to heart so much, especially because that’s the way it goes when trying to publish. With that said, I’m not sure I have the strength to go back to the drawing board and get a new round of feedback from people.
Thinking more about this, I know how I’m feeling has to do with a lack of writing. Making my writing a habit again would definitely make a difference, but I just have little energy to give it lately. I am doing some handwriting, and I think that helps.
Looking ahead, I hope to do more with my writing blog and making it a place I enjoy again. The funny thing is I notice there isn’t the same type of blogging community anymore. Blogging used to be a shared, supportive space, and now it’s more business-oriented or influencer-oriented. It doesn’t have the same feeling anymore. That could be just me, but it used to be so much easier to build a blogging community simply by commenting. Anyway, I’m not helping the situation by not being a consistent reader and commenter myself, so who am I to say anything?
It’s funny though, because I’m building a blog tour for an author, and that includes finding bloggers to pitch to. That’s led me down the road of many defunct blogs that have spent years untouched. I think 2010 – 2013 was the blogging highlight years. Now, I’m simply wistfully looking back and wondering if those years could ever be reclaimed.
A few other positives to highlight:
- I’ve taken a huge step away from social media. No more obsessing over follower counts for me.
- I’m doing more non-technology based activities. Like puzzles, newspaper crosswords, and more. I’ve even returned to loving physical books again, although I’ve severely neglected any e-books I’ve downloaded.
So this concludes the end of my non-reflection reflection post. I’d love to list out a few goals for the year, but you know, 2020 has shown me that it’s best to just take it one day at a time.
Merry Christmas to you all! I hope you are able to enjoy your holiday, even with how hard it’s been for so many of us.
As you look back, what are your positives for the year? Do you blog, and if so, what do you think about the blogging community? Are you writing lately?
Great post, Nicole! I agree about the blogging community being more lively and intimate around 2010. I think it’s because there weren’t as many websites then, and those who blogged were early adopters and got into it for the joy of blogging and community. Also, social media wasn’t as big back then! Now it seems all the personal posts are on social and blogs have become more business oriented. But I still think there are communities built around blogs and content, especially the literary community.
Congratulations on your accomplishments this year! I love both of your publications, and your blog looks fantastic. Wishing you a joyous New Year! 🙂
You are definitely right about social media not being as big! I feel like that has impacted blogging enormously so. I hope that changes though and maybe we’ll see things turn around. Thank you so much for the compliments on my writing and my blog! 🙂