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Wednesday, January 14, 2015

The cozy blog


Today I spent some time looking up old blogs that I used to follow, so that I could re-add my favorites and I discovered something...


Blogging has changed! It was already in the process when I quit, but even more now.... 
a lot more! 



Quite a few of my old friends stopped blogging completely, like I did, which is sad, but as you well know, I can't really say anything.

I did it. 

I understand.


Some of the other blogs that I used to follow are now basically businesses. There are ads everywhere and they have over 50,000 followers or more. It's weird, because I remember when they had just a few hundred. Good for them! I'm glad to see people that I watched grow from a little place on the web to a major one. It's nice to know that they got what they wanted, but then again.... did they? I wonder, do they miss the connection they had with their readers?

I would.


Then there's the few blogs out there that haven't changed at all. Now those are the ones that make me feel all cozy. 
You know the ones... in fact, you'll find a few of them on my side bar ;)


Anyway, as I was catching up with one of my favorites, The Cottage Nest, written by Jen, I came across a post called 'The Good Old Days' and it really hit me... I missed logging on to see the coziness of my friend's personality coming through. I think it's a little sad that everything is so impersonal.
"Here's a chair that I redid"..... 
"Here's the kitchen that I redid".... 
"Here's this all white house"....

While we're on the subject, why is everything white? Is color against the law now? That trend started about 6 years ago (or more) and I was hoping it would be over by now. Not because it's not pretty sometimes, but because it's basically the same no matter what blog you click on. It's honestly like being on one long blog with different names. Now if that's who you really are, well then that's great! But don't fall into the latest trend just to get readers. That's never a good idea, trust me.

But I digress....


Don't get me wrong, there's nothing wrong with all of what I just mentioned, except for the fact that there's really no story to any of it anymore and there isn't any personality. Which I think is sad, because your home, your life, your blog should be a reflection of YOU, not what the latest trend is, unless you're a professional interior decorator.



And that my friends is what this blog will be. 

I decided it today. 

Not that I could be anything but me ;)

I can't promise that you'll never see an ad on this blog or that you'll see every waking moment of my life, but what you WILL see is a reflection of ME. I don't care if I have zero readers or a hundred, that will never change.



I miss the 'cozy blog' and I plan on this being one. I hope you enjoy it, but mostly I'm hoping it will encourage people to be themselves again. 

Nothing is more important than being who you really are and following your dreams.


Dreams are important after all :)

rue

P.S. 
What do these pictures have to do with anything? Nothing at all, but I thought you might enjoy my little rant more if there was something cute or pretty to look at ;)




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22 comments:

  1. UnknownJanuary 16, 2015 at 8:13 AM

    I am not sure why my first one looked like that. I agree with you! My favorite was an Aspiring Homemaker. I still go back and look at her old posts sometimes. She no longer blogs.

    Blessings,
    Amy Jo

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    1. RueJanuary 16, 2015 at 1:22 PM

      I've come across her blog before. It's really lovely and I'm sad to see that she's stopped. Maybe one day she'll come back.

      rue :)

      Delete
  2. Susie QJanuary 16, 2015 at 9:28 AM

    I have let my poor blog suffer from decay. I was so heartsick at what blogging had become. Heartsick at what passed for pretty homes! When did color become something to fear! I pinned for the days when it was sweeter, more personal. I am going to try to get back to it, slowly. I am SO please to see you back. Would love to catch up with you!
    Love,
    Sue

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    1. RueJanuary 16, 2015 at 1:21 PM

      Well, at least you're still here! So many just up and left. I'll be over to see what you've been up to :)

      xo

      Delete
  3. UnknownJanuary 16, 2015 at 2:37 PM

    I agree! White is lovely....but I do adore color. And I am with you on the cozy blogs.
    Since beginning mine, I feel like you....I want it to be comfortable and encouraging.
    I so look forward to visiting you again. :)

    ReplyDelete
  4. JenJanuary 19, 2015 at 10:28 AM

    I'm so happy to see that you are blogging again Rue! I've missed not visiting you on a regular basis. Your new house looks so nice and cozy. You certainly have made it into a home. Whatever form your new blog will take, welcome back.

    Jeannette (from Canada)

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    1. RueJanuary 19, 2015 at 4:10 PM

      Thank you, Jeannette! I'm glad you found me :)

      Delete
  5. Rattlebridge FarmJanuary 19, 2015 at 4:48 PM

    Wow, this was a great post, Rue. Your photos are breathtaking. I was just thinking about blogging the other day. Remember when you showed me how to get music on my blog? I remember when you blogged about that wonderful, old farmhouse, and I was absolutely caught up in your journey--glued to updates--and I was heartbroken when someone bought it. I was thrilled when you found your turn-of-the-century home. That may have been the Golden Age of blogging. One thing is certain: blogging will change again. Me, I hope the cozy feeling returns. P.S. Regarding white decor, I'm grappling with that issue in the ranchburger. In my old house, I had some assertive colors--and some quiet ones. I've watched tangerine go in and out of style, lol In my old age, I've decided that I don't want to repaint, so I may go with neutral walls and fabrics and add seasonal color. Lord knows I have enough pillows--I'm a pillow 'ho! I'm trying to figure out how to do a neutral backdrop and still have color. Anyway, I LOVED this post!!!

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    1. RueJanuary 20, 2015 at 10:47 AM

      Yep... the good old days, when almost everybody knew each other. I feel those days are long gone, but at least I can create my only little world on here the way I want to :)

      About the white decor:
      Your house is not what I was talking about lol I was referring to the ones that ONLY have white.... white walls, white furniture, white nicknacks, white floor, etc. I have neutral paint in the living room, dining room, office and the den. I think it's the right way to go, if you want to change things up a lot. I just went with what was already on the walls, but that might change ;)

      xo

      Delete
  6. Red Rose AlleyJanuary 20, 2015 at 8:09 AM

    Rue, I was wondering the same thing the other day.....what is this white thing all about? I have to have color in my life, and I can't imagine a house that's full of white. Blogging definitely has changed since I started 3 and a half years ago. I'm glad you got a new computer. I just had to get a new one myself, but I lost all my pictures in the process, oh well. Thank you for the rainbow today. I believe that when we see a rainbow it is a gift, so today I received a gift on your blog. Your pictures are wonderful.

    Have a nice week.

    ~Sheri

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    1. RueJanuary 20, 2015 at 10:49 AM

      I'm so sorry you lost all your pictures! I know what that feels like.

      You're welcome for the rainbow and thank you :)

      Delete
  7. Shari @ My Cottage of BlissJanuary 20, 2015 at 4:00 PM

    Hey Rue! I was just scanning Kim's sidebar, saw "Rue" and thought...could it really be? THE Rue? Coincidentally (or not), I was just thinking about you in the past day or two. I wondered whatever happened to you, as well as some of the old RMS/early blogger crew since so many are no longer blogging, including me. (I actually got an email in mid December saying RMS was being retired from the HGTV website as of 12/31/14 and if I needed any of my photos, I should save them before that date. Although I haven't been active on there in years, I checked and it still appears to be up and running with new uploads.)

    I wholeheartedly agree, blogging has changed drastically. So many ads, truncated posts (grrrrr) that make every page click count for something for the blogger (but irritate me as the reader), and if blogging isn't time consuming enough, there's the pressure to be on every darn social media site imaginable. I do *zero* social media. Call me old (or maybe antisocial) but I just don't have the time or inclination.

    I do sometimes miss blogging and all the nice people I "met" through it. My life took a drastic turn too and I found myself on a horse farm in the country. I blogged for a while after that move but decided to take a "break" that has ended up lasting for more than 2 years. Occasionally, I still get emails from former readers asking if I'm ever going to post again and that just boggles my mind that anyone even remembers...or cares about my little 'ol blog. I do have projects and progress I'd like to share but somehow I just don't take that first step to jump back in. Maybe someday...

    Anyway, it's good to see you back blogging again! It appears you've rebounded and are doing well. Your home is adorable and so "you." Wishing you all the best and I'm looking forward to following along on your new journey.

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    1. RueJanuary 20, 2015 at 5:58 PM

      Shari! It's so good to hear from you!! How funny that you weren't sure if it was me. I had a feeling that anyone that knew me from back then would think the same thing, but I wasn't sure how many were out there. I'm glad you're still around Blogland, even if you're not blogging right now. I hope you do again someday.

      Only a few of my pictures are still on RMS. I guess they deleted them or maybe I did. I can't remember, but I was looking for some not too long ago and wanted to know if they were still out there. I miss the old crew and I wish they would come around again, but I guess they've all moved on.

      Glad to hear from you though!

      ((hugs))

      Delete
  8. bj January 23, 2015 at 1:05 PM

    I think you will find that most of the older blogs ARE staying true to themselves and their blogs. Ea blog is different because we are all different. I have some very favorite blogs that are filled with ads but I just wade thru them, go right up to the front door, go in and, Lo and Behold, there's all the sweet things I liked in the first place....
    So, be sure to give them a chance...some like ads because it's a way for them to make extra money....most of us older bloggers found out a long time ago that the amt of followers has nothing to do with enjoying blogging or not....it's just fun for most of us. I adore everything about blogging...even when I lost my orig blog and started over. No problems with my friends finding me and I was so happy they did. :)

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  9. RueJanuary 23, 2015 at 2:16 PM

    I've noticed that most of the older ones are staying true to themselves, but finding everyone that I used to follow has been quite a challenge lol

    I'm glad you're still blogging :)

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  10. UnknownJanuary 25, 2015 at 1:57 PM

    Hi Rue, sooooo happy to see you again on your blog. I sure miss your blog, now most ads and who has time for that. I love your new and thanks for sharing. I remember your beautiful from RMS....I looking forward to following along on your new journey. I keep up with lots of old friends from RMS on Facebook.....Thanks again Pat H RMS 9405018

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    1. RueJanuary 26, 2015 at 8:23 AM

      You're welcome, Pat. I'm glad you found me again :)

      Delete
  11. MelanieJanuary 25, 2015 at 8:31 PM

    I totally agree that our blogs, our homes, our decor should all be extensions of ourselves, not what some designer dictates. I love a home that is warm and cozy and reflects the personality and individualism of the owner. I'm not a fan of the all white decor or even complete neutrals myself - I like color! - but each to their own, right? If that's what the person really likes in their home, then that's fine. I don't have to live there. ;-)

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    1. RueJanuary 26, 2015 at 8:25 AM

      That's exactly right! I don't mind a white or neutral home if it's a reflection of themselves, but it shouldn't be just for an audience. After all, they don't live there, you do!

      Delete
  12. Elizabeth MaxsonFebruary 1, 2015 at 7:27 PM

    Hi Rue,

    I feel like I know you - especially after going through so many of your posts to catch up (trust me, I am not a stalker, just liked your blog so much). Like I said earlier, the name of your blog caught my eye and had to click on (sorry, don't remember where I saw the name). I am an old-timer blogger (since 2006!) and like you (and many others) had a couple of life changers in my life which affected when and how often I blogged. In fact, I wrote about blogger breakdown in a post back in 2011 on a blog that I don't even write on anymore. Here is the link - I think you might find it interesting. http://www.elizabethhouseshoptalk.com/2011/09/blogger-breakdown.html I got such interesting and thoughtful responses from which I think you might find some comfort. I know I felt comforted with the response and even had a blogger friend, Anne, from Fiona and Twig repost it, as she had readers who were feeling the same way. For me, I think blogging has changed the most since I began, is that it has become a "reader-entitlement" experience instead of a "blogger-sharing" experience. Meaning many bloggers set out to entertain and impress rather than engage and invite. Just my opinion though. The amount of "followers" I have hasn't changed in two years - but the last two years have been a challenge for me, and my perspective on my life has changed. But, that's okay. Be it one reader or 1000, I'm still going to blog what I feel like sharing, when I feel like sharing. I do love the contact with others and I have no doubt you will be in contact with many of your past readers and lots of new ones too. :-)

    Okay, better get busy - but before I go...who is that cutie sporting the beard?? :-) I have a cutie with a beard as well.

    Looking forward to getting to know you. Hope you have a great week ahead of you.
    Big hugs
    elizabeth

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    1. RueFebruary 2, 2015 at 12:32 PM

      I don't think you're a stalker :)

      I think I started my blog somewhere around 2003 or 2004 and stopped almost 4 years ago, so I'm surprised we hadn't run across each other back then. Odd how that happens.

      I just finished reading that post of yours and I know all too well, what you mean.

      That's my boyfriend! He grew the beard on my request :)

      Big hugs back,
      rue

      Delete

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