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What Blogging Will Look Like In College {My 5-Year Blogversary!}


Hello, dear friends!

     As of today, it's been 5 whole, lovely years since I started this blog (to give you an idea: I was 13 then, and I am 18 now!)

     As a new adult, I'm off to see the world to college in mere months. I've been pondering for nearly a year what blogging will look like as my life changes. I thought today, on TLD's birthday, I could share my thoughts on the subject.

     Don't worry! The blog is not going away. I love it too much, and I need to continue practicing my craft as a writer. I have grown so much from those first {cringe-worthy} posts, and I love the practice of hitting "publish" regularly.

     That's how blogging is so very different from journaling. As C.S. Lewis says, "What we work out in our journals, we don't take out on family and friends." Blogging, on the other hand, is the world-ready, adventurous material - the stuff I already have mostly worked out.

     As college is a new and exciting experience, there have to be some posts. I want to record the more extraverted moments here on the blog, even as I jot away the more introverted ramblings in my journal. That's what I feel deep within me.

     My current plan is to continue to write as I feel the Spirit stirring within me. Most of the time, that doesn't happen like clockwork every Friday at 3, so I am not going to put myself on a schedule or plan. (Scheduling has never worked for me anyway.) When I post, I post. Hopefully, it will be fairly consistent.

     At over 600 posts since its conception, this blog has been a huge part of me pouring my heart into the world. I have been really quite consistent for 5 whole years. So here's the plan in bullets, for you bullet-point people!

What will change:

  • Blog posts won't be as frequent. I'll simply be busier.
  • No more BookTube. I did this almost every week of senior year, and it fulfilled its purpose of letting me talk about books. But now I'm about to go be an English major, so I don't see a need for this. Follow me on Goodreads and Instagram if you want to keep up with what I'm reading.
  • No 31 Days series this October, for the first time since 2012. I just can't make the insane time commitment!
  • Increased themes of people and relationships. This is just a given since I'm about to head out into the midst of so. many. people. and observe them on a daily basis.
  • Fewer giveaways and book reviews. These take too much time to orchestrate and execute. Follow my Goodreads for my thoughts on books.
  • I may stop writing monthly newsletters in 2018, unless there is some huge outcry against this action (along the lines of "Oh no, Madeline! The newsletter is my favorite part of what you do!!!") We'll have to see.
  • I will probably log out of most of my social media while I get adjusted during my first semester.

Here's what won't change:

  • No scheduling posts for certain days of the week. I never really got into that rhythm here anyway.
  • I will continue writing monthly newsletters at least through December 2017.
  • Writing on the blog will be the most important thing I do online. Newsletters, social media, YouTube, series, giveaways, etc., will never be as important as me developing writing skills.
  • I'd love to help anyone who is thinking of starting a blog or is currently blogging.
  • I will continue to contribute to Burning Youth. It's a great community that I hope to stay engaged with.
     If you have any questions for me, please feel free to send me an email or comment below. I know that this next season of TLD's life will be just as beautiful as the first 5 years were. It's not a baby anymore!

~Madeline

Comments

  1. Wow, you go girl! Sounds like this summer is going to bring lots of changes and new experiences. AND HAPPY BLOGIVERSARY!! *tosses confetti and waffles* UR AWESOME.

    rock on,
    abbiee

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Awwwww thank you so much, Abbiee! I can't believe it's my 5 YEAR BLOGVERSARY!

      Delete
  2. I'm also starting college in the fall! I'm trying to figure out what blogging will look like for me. I also have an e-magazine I put together and I'm not sure how that's going to work out . . . but I have faith! I'm a fellow lover of English, although my major will be graphic design. ;)
    Amanda
    www.skgfun.com

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. It's a good thing to think about in advance. It took me awhile to come up with all this. :) Graphic design sounds awesome! Have a great first year!

      Delete

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Thank you for reading! I cherish each and every comment and usually respond within a day or two. ~Madeline

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