This is the post I wanted to post in December 2019 but I started to doubt myself and wonder if a true goodbye is necessary for this little blog. Whether it is or isn’t I’ve decided to share it anyway. Thank you, out there, for your support over the years. I am eternally grateful.
Original title: Retiring… or simply, ‘End of Year Thoughts’
Does anyone really retire from blogging? Perhaps… But the thing about a blog is that it’s always there, waiting to be utilized… waiting for your words to bless its glaring screen.
I’ve been blogging for about 6 years now, a little more than that. And this year, as I checked my analytics, I realized is the first year that my readership didn’t grow. I didn’t know how to feel about that… but I also knew that I didn’t blog much this year —12 posts in all, about a post a month for a blog that’s meant to be weekly. But, I don’t know if I care. Only that I’m supposed to care because ‘growth’ should always matter.
Much of my blog focuses on social issues, perhaps too much of it, and social issues —constantly being in the loop of “what’s going on,” is exhausting. I thought to myself recently… what would I talk about (on the blog) if I wasn’t on social media? So much of my writing is provoked by some stranger who said something on the internet. Some person I don’t know who ‘lives in my head rent-free’ (to use a Twitter phrase) and gets enough of a rise out of me that I feel the need to write. My posts, thankfully, aren’t usually hyper-focused on particulars. Often I’m sure my readers are vaguely aware of its connection to some Twitter fodder without having to rely on it to understand its points and benefit from its ideas.
Yet and still, it’s exhausting. And I wonder how much any of it truly matters in the long run. I’m far from knocking my old writing (i.e. everything on the blog up to this point) but I’m wondering if it’s time for a change.
The blog may be even quieter this coming year, a bit more introspective, and a lot less reactive. Eventually, we may go completely dim —though I don’t see that happening soon. Anyway, this is my attempt at an end-of-year reflection. No big ideas, no social commentary, no ‘aha moments, just a few thoughts before bed.
I pray you’re well.
Or perhaps these are just momentary thoughts and I’ll change my mind next Monday, Allahualim.
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April 16th update: I haven’t yet changed my mind. I don’t know when I’ll write on this blog again but for now, I’ve decided to republish it for the few of you who reach out asking to access my old writings. May God overlook our shortcomings, have a blessed Ramadan.
P.S. You may have noticed my social media for this blog has disappeared, while I greatly benefitted from and appreciated many of my interactions with you all on Twitter, I’ve decided it was time for me to leave that space as well. I’ll be focusing more on my initiative, Noor Al Shadhili, feel free to check us out there. Take care.
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