“I can’t believe you’re still blogging! When did you start this blog, already?”
“… In 2005…”
I’m almost embarrassed to admit I’ve been posting articles at least once a week for 17 years. On a good day, it feels like a personal achievement. But catch me on a bad day and will tell you I’m sometimes wondering if people see me as one of these haggard-looking gamblers glued to a slot machine, waiting for the big payout.
In capitalism, a side hustle is supposed to bring in extra income or at the very least make you kind of famous. I must have missed the memo on successful side-hustling—I’ve never made real money with this blog, and I’m nowhere close to “getting viral.”
Yet, I’m still blogging, and I’m not planning to stop anytime soon.
“Why?” you may be wondering.
Well…
It feels more constructive than spending time on social media
In 2004 or 2005, Feng was playing around with Myspace and I had a page on Yahoo. Facebook was just starting, but we didn’t like it because it wasn’t as customizable. I moved on to Blogger, then eventually to WordPress. I used to have a Flickr account but I deleted it in 2019 because the community was getting super toxic. I don’t care much about my Twitter account. And that’s about it!
Somehow, I’ve never felt the need to join Facebook, YouTube, Instagram or any of the big social networks.
Yes, I know, they are successful, and I’m not.
But I like having control over my online presence and my “work.” This blog is self-hosted. My account can’t be deleted by a faceless minimum-wage employee across the globe, and there are no ads. Sure, I have to remember to back it up regularly and fix a few technical issues once in a while, but I’m not being brainwashed or used by megacorps with an agenda (… at least not online).
It’s our personal archive
Google knows the answer to pretty much anything but when we can’t remember where and when we did this or that, we check the blog.
It only takes me a couple of clicks to show Mark his first trip to Mexico and China when he was a baby and the funny things he used to say as a toddler—he likes to browse old posts about him.
I get to meet great people
I’ve met a lot of people through the blog. Many are “just” blog friends I’ve known for years, but I’ve also met at least two dozen readers in real life, and I’m in still touch with a few of them (Oi, Cristiano!)
Occasionally, newcomers to Canada or other backpackers find me through the blog and contact me for info or tips. I’ve met a few new friends this way (salut, Julie!).
I value blogs because I use them
Blogs are an invaluable research tool when I’m on the road. You get up-to-date info with accurate pictures and practical tips about safety, budget, etc. For instance, last winter, I used many Brazilian travel blogs (including the amazing Tem que ir) to discover new places from a local perspective—if a Brazilian girl says she feels safe in ABC but that YXZ is a bit dodgy after sunset, I’m taking note.
My experience is anecdotal evidence but it’s my contribution to the global “no BS knowledge database.”
I’m always learning new skills
I have to keep up with web content best practices, SEO trends, and web development technologies. Over the years, I’ve also learned a bit about design, coding, content management, branding and more. These are great transferable skills I can put on my resume and use at work.
It’s a way to share my stories with readers
Unsurprisingly, I have yet to find an agent or a publisher for my manuscript. Posting non-fiction is my way to practise and improve my writing skills.
Writing makes me happy. I probably won’t get published but I’m glad that somewhere, someone is reading me and enjoying my stories.
I find it satisfying
Blogging is a lot of work but after spending hours translating and writing for clients, I find it deeply satisfying to use my own voice. It’s also therapeutic to put feelings into words, reflect, share experiences, and gain new perspectives (and this is why I love reading comments!).
I still get traffic
Google Analytics swears that tens of thousands of people stumble upon this blog every day and stick around long enough to read a few articles, which I find amazing considering I’m not actively promoting it.
I should have a Facebook group, cross-post to Instagram, and spend hours talking about myself on various platforms using proper keywords but… fuck it. You found me, good enough. I believe in communication and content writing best practices, but I don’t feel like adding to the noise.
I get work opportunities
Believe it or not, I got new clients and work assignments as a translator or copywriter through this blog. I even sold a few pictures over the years!
I still have stories to write
Tonight, I was going to write about the industry secrets of a translator and copywriter, but I changed my mind at the last minute—next week, maybe?
I have a long list of articles I want to write, and I’m sure there’s no shortage of stories to tell because life is fun and unpredictable.
So I’ll keep on blogging because, well, why not?
“… In 2005…”
When we were young and dumb. But now, it changed. I’m old.
I liked the world better in 2005 but I’d rather be my 2022 version. I was still too naive back then…
I’m so glad you’re still blogging!
Aww, thank you! 🙂
J’adore votre blog. Je l’ai devoré quand je suis tombée dessus il y a quelques années en cherchant des blogs racontant la vie dans différents pays. Merci de nous faire voyager et découvrir de nouveaux mondes avec votre franc parler et humour que je trouve extraordinaires 🙂
C’est super gentil, ça me va droit au coeur!
J’adore aussi lire des blogs qui racontent la vie dans d’autres cultures, je comprends cet intérêt 😉
Merci, merci, mille fois merci de m’avoir lue!
Yess 🙂
Oof! I’ve been blogging for 15 years, then! I’m not quite diligent, though. And I’m glad I met you on the way and I’m grateful to have had those wonderful and nourishing conversations with you!
(hey! I’m back!)
Keep on blogging!!! I love your blog (and have been following you since Mark was a baby) …and it makes me want to blog again 🙂
Hey you! It’s been a while! (No, I’m not guilt-tripping you…)
If you do blog again, let me know 😉
Thank you! It is nice getting a peak into different lifestyles and perspectives. The saying of birds of a feather flock together, I feel, result in narrow mindedness and intolerance. I live in a different environment from you (a lot more diversity in your neighborhood and Canada in general), I guess that’s why I feel a little more strongly about people who are sheltered in their comfortable circle but yet have strong opinions about how other people should live their lives. My 2 cents from jet lag. Haha!
Much like you, I love exploring people’s life, *especially* if their life is different than mine! I always gain a new perspective on life. I find people who stick to their own little life tend to lose touch with reality…
I do appreciate that this blog is there, and love your photographs
Hey you! It’s always nice to hear from you. How are you two doing?
We are doing good 🙂 not having any Bollywood parties either (from your other blog)
Saying this again, but your blog was a massive resource when we were moving here, plus its always fun.
Ah, man… can’t you just Bollywood Ottawa?? Come on! 😆
Thank you for your kind words. I’m looking forward to bumping into you at the airport again one of these days 😉
13 ans de blogging ou presque et mon traffic est très loin du tien. Je pense arrêter. Autant écrire des trucs pour moi si c’est pour que 50 personnes les lisent 😉 J’ai aussi l’impression que la grande époque des blogs est passée depuis longtemps. Maintenant c’est tout en vidéo… un truc que je ne ferais jamais.
Des bisous depuis Calgary 🙂
Ah ben non, arrête pas maintenant, je viens de ce pas de t’ajouter à ma liste de lecture! (Sans déc, acheter des meubles au Canada, le sujet me tarabuste… je ne suis pas ironique, je ne sais jamais où aller à part IKEA!).
Pareil, je ne me lancerai pas dans la vidéo, je sais écrire et prendre des, c’est ça qui m’intéresse, je ne me vois pas changer de format. Franchement, des fois, je trouve décourageant d’être perdue dans les entrailles d’Internet… puis des messages comme le tien me redonnent espoir, finalement, ce qui compte, c’est que quelqu’un, quelque part lise. M’en fous de combien de personnes et de combien de pages vues et tout.
Je pense que les blogues resteront plus dans les archives d’Internet que la plupart des vidéos et Insta trendy… 😉
Haha merci c’est gentil ! J’arrive à poster peut être 4x l’an maintenant. C’est un miracle je trouve après si longtemps. Pour le coup mon blog est 100% lié au Canada et j’écris surtout des guides. Du coup forcément j’en ai pas tous les 4 matins 😉
Je connais ton blog depuis pas mal d’années mais je ne saurais dire quand exactement. Ptetre bien au moins 10 ans.
Je me dis aussi que peut être que je tourne une page. Je ne sais pas, j’ai jusqu’à septembre et le renouvellement de mon domaine pour me décider 😉
Mais, même si tu ne postes pas beaucoup, c’est pas grave! Franchement, en tant que lectrice, je préfère des articles intéressants plutôt que 40 “no time, promise, I’ll post tomorrow dear readers, here is a picture of my cat in the meantime”. Bon, je ne vai pas essayer de te convaincre, je comprends complètement que c’est un exercice frustrant de blogger quand on a l’impression de le faire dans le vide. Je ne regrette pas pour ma part parce que finalement, mon fils est super content de lire des articles qui parlent de lui plus petit, et on se sert du blog comme nos archives de vie.
Je suis juste triste de voir moins de gens écrire… j’ai tellement été bluffée par la qualité d’écriture d’inconnu(e)s!
Je suis abonnée au tien, du coup. On se recroisera 🙂
Je suis tout à fait d’accord. Je me rappelle la grande époque où j’avais plein de blogs dans ma liste. Bon le souci c’est qu’en principe ça dure 2 ans et les gens arrêtent. J’ai vu du 5 ans parfois (très rarement) et plus de 10 ans, clairement, personne ne le fait à part nous !
On se tient au jus 🙂