Do you remember when blogging was about sharing our lives and spilling the tea on ourselves?
It was our own special corner of the internet where we expressed teenage angst, documented our most embarrassing moments, and pondered our dilemmas. Oh, how I grieve the loss of the good days!
Although platforms like Instagram, Twitter, and TikTok currently dominate social media, there’s something enchanting about journal blogging that today’s glossy feeds and algorithm-driven posts simply cannot replicate. Here’s why I believe online journaling deserves a triumphant revival—and why you should join me on this journey (again!)
1. A Space for Genuine, Unfiltered Thoughts
Before the rise of influencer culture and sponsored content, online journals served as a sanctuary for authentic voices. No filters, no meticulously planned captions—just honest, unrefined and seriously raw journaling. It was a place to express thoughts without fear of judgment, to vent, reflect, and evolve. In our polished online world, wouldn’t it be refreshing to return to an era when people were simply… real?
2. The Original “Community”
While social media connects us today, can we genuinely say we are communicating? In the past, discovering an online journal felt like stumbling upon a hidden village, drawing you into its community. Friendships blossomed from shared interests, meaningful comments were exchanged, and everyone followed each other’s journeys. You didn’t need fame to cultivate a devoted following who cared about your daily musings (or your quirky obsession with collecting tiny plastic trolls). It was authentic interaction—something that seems increasingly rare in a social media landscape filled with bots and sensationalism.
3. The Joy of Customization
One of the most delightful aspects of having an online journal is the freedom of customization! From vibrant background colours to playful headers, you can truly make your blog your own. Nowadays, the streamlined designs of many platforms limit creativity to what is deemed aesthetically pleasing. By creating your journal blog, you can dive into HTML, craft your unique theme, and ensure your blog stands out. It’s like decorating your own space to reflect your personality—whether quirky or elegant! Your personal blog becomes a true representation of you, rather than just what sells or attracts traffic. Let’s be honest—don’t we miss the days when every blog felt like a little digital fingerprint or dodgy living room with a tattered old sofa and walls covered with posters from our music magazines?
4. A Personal Space Without the Pressure of Going Viral
In the realm of TikToks and viral tweets, the pressure to create attention-grabbing content can be overwhelming. However, having a personal blog isn’t a popularity contest. You can share your day, thoughts, or random stories without fretting over whether they’ll garner a thousand likes. When you write for your own enjoyment, you’re free from the constraints of algorithms deciding your content’s worthiness. It’s just you, expressing yourself however and whenever you wish.
5. No FOMO (or Algorithm Drama)
Let’s be honest—Facebook’s algorithm has become a beast that forces us to navigate through a maze of ads and irrelevant content to see what our friends are up to. In your journal blog, posts appear in chronological order, with no manipulation or need for monetization with ads. You can delve into other peoples blogs, read and comment without missing out due to shifting algorithm rules. Every piece of content is accessible, fostering genuine connections. Sounds pretty serene, doesn’t it?
6. A Platform for Creativity and Self-Expression
Online journaling is not just about churning out SEO content; it’s a creative playground. You can dedicate pages to your interests, storytelling, photography, tips, or music playlists. It serves as a platform for art, self-expression, or simply venting. There’s room to experiment without the burden of social expectations. Today, everything seems to require a marketing angle—but what if we embraced a return to posting whatever inspires us, wouldn’t that be liberating?
7. A Nostalgic Touch We Need
In a world where everything feels disposable, journaling blogs evoke a sense of nostalgia. They transport us back to a simpler, more innocent internet where we all navigated our online identities. I often wish I could revisit the cringe-worthy content I wrote in my early twenties; it would remind me of my growth. However now I am hoping to provide my own memoirs, pieces of my own history to leave behind when I’m no longer here.
8. Beneficial for Mental Health
Remember the old BT commercials where Bob Hoskins said, “It’s good to talk”? Well, writing is equally beneficial. Expressing our thoughts can help us process feelings and gain clarity. An online journal allows us to store self-reflections and learn from them, enhancing our emotional intelligence. The act of writing can alleviate anxiety and reduce stress by providing a creative outlet. Journaling cultivates a habit of unpacking our thoughts, enabling us to face daily challenges more mindfully.
Let’s Spark a Comeback!
While platforms like Instagram and TikTok offer fun, they lack the charm of a classic journaling blog. It’s a space for authenticity, creativity, and genuine self-expression—all elements that feel somewhat lost in today’s fast-paced, polished digital environment. If you’re yearning for a break from the “picture-perfect” world of social media and simply want to write for writing’s sake, perhaps it’s time to join the real-life blogging revival. After all, the internet could benefit from a dose of sincere transparency and less pretense.
The thing is we don’t even need to share it with the world, we have choices! Keep it private, make it available to those with a password, or just throw it out there and live by the seat of our pants! Just do what feels comfortable.
Let my own comeback commence!
I’ve created Fergs as my personal life blogging space—my digital She Shed—filled with my thoughts, feelings, and a creative outlet that’s solely mine, without the need for validation. I’m embracing my chaos, sharing my truths, and learning more about myself in the process.
Fergs captures my transformation and growth, showcasing parts of me that may not be widely known, dispelling myths, and revealing intriguing truths! It’s as much a hobby as it is a remedy for my overactive mind. Here’s to giving this another go and hopefully shaping it into the sacred, healing and growing space I need.
Are you ready for it?