With the usual winter slow down.
Time keeps on slipping as I’ve said many times before during this blogging gig. I usually hit a yearly low around the winter season. I don’t know why, but it doesn’t really feel like it’s my time of year. Energy levels are low, I hate the cold, with the wind and almost constant raining. Undoubtedly some you may have wondered. Did he quit?
I would be lying if the thought didn’t cross my mind that I would definitely quit this time. Yet the step to actually stop with people still reading your content and leaving comments while you’re not actively posting makes it harder to make the decision. It feels like I’ve encountered more creative dips than usual or I thought the content I was putting out didn’t necessarily add much to the conversation anyway. I admit I miss sharing my enthusiasm for anime and writing online. It’s rewarding to be able to discuss certain topics with fellow anime enthusiasts/fans.
I’ve been saying this for the third year in a row, but I see fewer content popping up in my feed. I’m not really a feed type of person with written content. Especially with the poorly integrated feed of WordPress which has been going so UI changes, which haven’t made it necessarily better. Facebook, Instagram and Youtube feeds work pretty damn nifty, but WordPress seems to have so user interface and backend issues that make it less user friendly. Your opinion may differ.
Not only the feed is an issue. Familiar bloggers have been slowing down production or even become non active as well. As a person who needs a competitive edge, I’m very prone to discouragement when ‘icons’ out in the field, also call it a day. It’s a shame to see that many content creators stop, but of course nothing is forever.
Another thing I’ve noticed is that my traffic didn’t necessarily decline. I’ve read about this theory, in my line of work, that not putting out content doesn’t mean instant declines in traffic to your website. Google’s algorithm rewards fresh content, but becomes better in distinguishing good content over fresh low quality content. Very interesting stuff.
Again, I don’t know what the future will hold. Maintaining a full time job, with side projects and your social obligations makes it all pretty tough to cram into a day. Nonetheless, this blog wouldn’t be what is today without the support of readers and fellow bloggers.
Ninety's Blog 
Blogging is perhaps one of those pursuits requiring rather more time than one might reasonably expect to partake in: besides the time to take in the content (perhaps more than once), one must also produce a draft of their thoughts, go back in to acquire the appropriate media, do the appropriate research to make sure their content is reasonably accurate, and then edit everything to ensure readers have no trouble reading it. It is, in short, an informal version of the papers that form the basis of academia, and consequently, can feel like a job at times.
Numerous bloggers have decided to close things off to focus on their careers and other pursuits, so don’t pressure yourself into continuing if there isn’t the time. So, if you did decide to close things off to make time for everything else in life, I certainly wouldn’t begrudge you, and I’m certain your readers would understand, as well.
I recall we had the same conversation in my previous, 2 years of blogging post. There is still yet more to explore concerning blogging, but its true when a site has only one writer, the site is more prone to be discontinued.
First of all happy anniversary!
Second, as I’m sure you know, it all comes down to three questions:
1: Can you keep it up?
2: Do you want to keep it up?
3: Are there followers out there who will support you should you decide to continue?
There may be other questions but those three are the ones I asked myself a couple of times when I hit points I considered retiring. Anyhoo I wish you the best of luck and got your back with whatever decision you make in the end.
Thanks for your kind words;p I really appreciate the feedback through comments and having my spot on the internet which makes it rewarding in its own right.
Keep up the good work for as long as you’re able dood!