There are moments when I sit down to write this blog and genuinely wonder how I’ve managed to keep it going for fifteen years.
Fifteen years. That’s longer than most houseplants survive.
But why do I keep doing it?
Read more below.
Being a blogger is not as glamorous as people imagine. I’m not being whisked away to vegan spas or drowning in free samples of plant-based truffles. Some days I write about independent vegan pie makers and then eat peanut butter on toast because that’s all I’ve got left in the fridge.
There are trials and tribulations. And yes, I just used the phrase trials and tribulations because after fifteen years of blogging, I’ve earned the right to sound dramatic.
Let me be honest with you. Blogging every day is hard. Like, really hard. Especially when you’ve been at it this long. You start to run out of ideas. There are only so many ways you can write “this vegan burger is good” before you’re just rearranging words for your own entertainment.
Here is a short list of reasons why blogging every day is difficult:
- My fingers are tired
- My brain is tired
- I sometimes forget what day it is
- Blogging doesn’t pay the bills. Any of the bills, but it costs money to do it
- Some stories get one comment and that comment is spam. Most get zero comments
- I accidentally start doomscrolling instead of writing every single time I sit down to write
But here’s why I keep doing it:
- I believe in supporting independent vegan businesses
- I love sharing exciting vegan finds with you lot
- I still get a kick out of helping people eat more compassionately
- It feels important to give visibility to the small players
- I’ve met so many wonderful people through this blog
- That one time someone said they visited a vegan café I mentioned and had a lovely time
- Writing brings me joy, even when it’s tricky
So today, instead of a full review or roundup, I’m simply sharing this: a reflection on blogging, and a photo of some vegan sweets I found in the supermarket.
And how about these questions…. how long should a blog run? Is there an expiry date on opinion pieces and vegan cupcake commentary? Should I retire from a job that pays me nothing but does a little bit of good for the world?
I don’t know the answers. But I do know that I’m still here. And that counts for something.
Let me know in the comments. Should I keep going? Should I pack it in? Should I do both and just post a photo of my breakfast every few days instead?
Whatever happens, thank you for being here. It means the world.
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I’m glad you’re still blogging, Sean. You have already earned a happy retirement from it, so I would understand if you scaled back or stopped altogether (though I can’t picture you giving it up completely). Your posts keep me aware of what’s happening in London’s vegan scene, and your posts on other topics are always interesting and thoughtful.