Just a small update for all my regular readers. I will be taking a break from blogging from today until mid-August.
I have blogged twice daily for almost thirteen years, and have written close to 9000 different posts. Over those years, readership has dwindled due to the migration from the blogosphere to other social media such as Instagram and TikTok. Very few of us original bloggers remain, but I kept blogging because I enjoyed it and have made so many wonderful friends through my site.
Right now I am suffering from inspiration drought and a disconcerting sense of fatigue. I work full time in addition to blogging and my other hobbies, and I probably just need a break.
My blog domain expires on the 31st of July and I have not decided yet whether to renew it. It is quite expensive and won’t be worth it if I only blog sporadically. I will, however, update closer to the time. If I do decide not to renew, I will in all likelihood delete the site. My photographs are often stolen and used elsewhere and for that reason I will not leave the site live while dormant.
I want to thank every single one of my readers for being there for me through thick and thin for all these many years. For teaching me things and chatting in the comments. For reading me and for enjoying my posts.
I am hoping I will be back! Stay well, all of you.
You more than deserve a break! Keep us posted and take good care. xo
I’ve used your archive for looking up details of various filofax models and found it useful and informative – thanks for that. It would be a pity if your past posts were unavailable, but what is best for you is more important.
I used to have a travel photography site and the pictures were stolen on a daily basis, but they all carried a copyright tag that was rarely removed so drew more viewers back to me. Also, remember Oscar Wilde said “Imitation is the sincerest form of flattery that mediocrity can pay to greatness” and who would argue this isn’t a great blog?
Good luck and thanks again.
Thank you!
Hi Janet, it’s always amazed me that you have managed to put out so much content for as long as you have! Thank you for all of your wonderful posts & I hope that your break helps. And if you do decide not to renew, you would obviously be very welcome to provide guest posts for Philofaxy 🙂
Thank you so much Anita!
Another mostly silent reader here, and one who would really miss you. Blogging takes a certain courage that even with desire and talent, many don’t muster. But you did, an amazing 9000 times, so mental fatigue/burnout is certainly understandable. As others have shared, I’ve also learned from your blog and feel as though I’ve become acquainted with different cultures and parts of the world I wouldn’t have otherwise. Your interesting and unique posts have helped make me feel connected through a difficult decade. There are lengthy periods where I’m unable to check email, but when I can get back to it, yours are among the first I want to read. I always think of you warmly and wish you the very best no matter what you decide, but I selfishly hope you’ll be back.
Thank you so much Lore!
Blimey, that’s incredibly productive. I’m not surprised you need a break! Hope it works and you feel refreshed, hugs.
Oh, Janet, I would be so sad to see you go. I don’t comment very often, but I do read your blogs every day and have done for years. I can understand why you need a break after so long, but really hope to see you back 😊
Thank you! I am sure a little time will help immensely. Thank you so much for reading my blog.
Hi Janet. I’m another one of your mostly silent readers. Thank you for all of your very enjoyable posts and for all of the work you’ve done on the blog. Have a very deserved rest and hopefully we’ll see you post again.
Thank you so much. It means a lot that you would miss me!
Ohhh like many people above I am too a silent reader, I have commented very few times but your blog is super nice. I love the way you write. Of course do whatever feels right to you, but you will be missed. Please let us know if there are other ways to follow you, like instagram.
Thank you so much for your support and for reading me. Supporters like you are what have kept me going for so long.
If you do decide not to blog anymore I will miss you! I have enjoyed all your posts and I always learn something. Thank you for everything!
Hi Janet- I’ve been silently following your blog for years. I love reading about your kitties and I love that you are a paper planner and tote bag lover. I follow you on Facebook as well, but I find that I don’t see your posts unless I look for them.
I totally understand that you feel uninspired and not want to pay the cost of a domain.
Thank you for posting little snippets of your life and purchases- I love living vicariously through your face care purchases.
Best from Maine, USA
Thank you so much for your reply. I am hoping my inspiration comes back after a small break. I have posted at two or more posts a day for over 1000 days in a row, which was perhaps overambitious on my part. I just love ‘chatting’ with all my readers and sharing things I like
Please don’t go! Even though we have never me in person, I consider you a friend. What about setting up a patreon or go fund me and we, your loyal readers, can contribute so your blog doesn’t disappear in 2 weeks. That will give you a year to decide. Also, you could invite people to send blog post ideas to you.
Love Always, no matter what you decide.
LaDonna
Thank you so much for this LaDonna. I was dreading making the post because I consider you all my friends and it seems so final. I admit the cost is one of the factors, because I cannot justify spending hundreds of dollars if I find myself unable to come up with blog posts. But I am hoping this small break will reinvigorate me.
I’ve loved your blog entries over the years. I haven’t commented much of late because of health crap and also because WP has thrown a tantrum with my log-in details (this is Sharon just in case the one-off log-in doesn’t show that). I’ve still been reading them every day, though. Blogging is a massive commitment and I’m not surprised you need a break. I hope you will be back, but if not I know I’ll still see you on FB and IG. Incidentally, I moved over to Substack to try to get my blog going again. Have a lovely break. x
Thank you so much Sharon. Our howlers have kept me much amused over the years. Good luck with the blogging!
wishing you a very good holiday and I really hope you will return refreshed and full of inspiration. If not, I will miss you, and wish you the best! For now, thank you for all the inspiration you have given me, mostly on planners, binders and bags.
Thank you so much Saskia!
Dear Janet,
I am sorry to see you go. I’ve been reading your posts every day for many years. They have inspired, informed or entertained me and I will miss them.
I have especially enjoyed reading about your planner journey, your life in Sweden, your jewellery, clothes, beauty products and accessories, and of course anything about your cats. All these things -apart from Sweden- are thinhs we have in common. We also share interest and knowledge in languages. You are like a virtual friend I enjoy getting news from everyday.
I can understand that you need a rest, don’t we all at some point? I simply hope that you’ll be back mid August so we can resume that virtual friendship.
If you decide to be present on other platforms, please let us know so we can keep on following your posts.
In the meantime, you take care and enjoy the summer break!
Thank you for all these years of blogging and I sincerely hope you’ll be back in August!
Thank you so much Nathalie, and thank you for teaching me so many things over the years. I have loved reading all your comments. I am hoping I will feel more inspired after a break. I normally schedule posts in advance but I have been so tired lately. I probably just need to rest a little!
I’m a recent fan. I will miss your special sense of humor! I hope you return after you refill your soul.
Thank you so very much. I hope so too!
oh no. i so look forward to your posts. a highlight of my day. your take on things is so much like my own. i hope a rest gives you new inspiration and energy, but if not we completely understand. do let us know if you go to another platform.
much love.
I’m sorry to see you could be leaving, but if it’s best for you then do it. I enjoy reading your posts but I am amazed that you continue posting 2 a day, when I used to blog I only managed, on average, one a week. If you come back we’ll be here waiting and if you decide not to then enjoy whatever you decide to do instead.
I fear it has caught up with me in the end. But I am hoping a break will fill me with inspiration for new posts!
I have read your blog for years and look forward to it every day but I understand your feelings. Relax, enjoy yourself, and, if you do decide to continue, we’ll be right here!
I will miss you. Although I see most of your posts on FB I always look forward to the two posts that are waiting in my emails early in the mornings. I’ve learnt many interesting things, met many animals and critters (ladybirds) and had many a smile – and they just generally start the day off on a positive note.
Thank you for all your hard work over the years. … it’s been a joy travelling with you. Best wishes for the future for you both.
Thank you so much Sheila. I have loved your comments as well!
I’m sorry to see you go, I’m used to looking for two emails on awaking and reading them while having a morning coffee. One from y friend of 24 years, and yours. I don’t comment much, but I always enjoy your posts whether the subject is grammar, handbags or motorcycle trips. You’ll be sorely missed in our house. Good luck whatever you do, and thank you.
Clare
Thank you so much Clare. I have so enjoyed all your comments over the years. Hopefully this hiatus will bring back my energy and inspiration.
Sorry to hear this, but understandable.
I look forward to receiving your post notifications in my email and reading about all the things: your cats, Sweden, all your Filofax posts and fun finds plus your adventures, so I will miss it, but you need to do what is best for you.
Have a break and see what you decide x
Thank you!
Dear Janet, I completely understand, even though I’m really devastated. Yours was the only blog I followed religiously and I enjoyed it so much. You always kept things so interesting and you inspired me so much. Please let us know if you change platforms or if you decide to continue. I cannot tell you just how much your posts have improved so many aspects of my life. Thank you for everything you did. Much, much love to you (and remember, I’m only an email away if you need to talk hair!). Eva x
Thank you Eva. It is people like you that have encouraged me to continue all these years. I am sure that a small break is going to breathe new life into me and I will be raring to go again come August 12th! I will do an update anyway.
Do what you need to do. I’m happy to have gotten to know you through the blog and I will drop you a few lines to keep in touch if it’s ok. Have a wonderful break and hopefully see you again on August 12th! Much love xxx
Hi, Janet. It sounds like you have a case of burn-out. I’ve only commented a few times on your blog, but I read your posts every day. I hope that a few weeks’ rest will recharge your spirit. I found you in 2015 when I purchased my first Filofax, and I’ve been reading ever since. You have an interesting take on the world, and I’ve learned so much from reading your blog. Be well, my virtual friend! Donna Lee
Thank you so much for your comment. I am hoping a short break will do the trick!
Dear Janet
I have followed your blog for years but never commented. I fully appreciate your reasons for thinking you may discontinue it due to time and financial constraints. I fully respect your decision.
However I do hope you will continue your blog.
All best wishes
Bev
Thank you so much! I am hoping that a small break will give me energy and inspiration. It’s a bit the same as being a teacher. By the time summer comes you are exhausted. I am hoping this fatigue is temporary.