Keep it simple, stupid. Remember that little acronym? It’s my favourite, especially when said in an Eddie Murphy voice. And if we’re talking celebrities, then oops I did it again and pulled a Britney because this here place is looking different, again. After copycatgate, I didn’t really have time to pull something new together but was lucky to get help from the original designer to at least have something up and running that was different. But there, at the back of my mind, amidst the whirlwind of baby prepping and general life adjustments I knew that really, I just wanted to simplify it all. I feel like there’s two sides to blogging at the moment- those that claim it is a dying medium and those that want to throw back to the earlier days of sharing stories and thoughts. I sit on that side of the fence.
The more time I spent in my baby’s soon to be nursery, the more I felt a shift in my head. Our lives are about to change enormously and I wanted my online presence to change along too. Everything felt too busy online. I’m inundated with shouts of “GIRL BOSS” and “SLAY ALL DAY” online but you know what, I’m happy just to get through each day without needing a nap at this stage. Blogging was never meant to feel like a chore. It was about sharing and reading and connecting and that’s what I hope this place becomes (and has been evolving into)
I think a lot of bloggers forget that many of their readers (at least in my case) aren’t bloggers- so rather than making my content tick all the usual blogger boxes, I’ve been making an effort to write the kind of stuff I used to enjoy reading. The kind of stuff that made me want to blog in the first place. Having this baby bowling ball on my front has pushed me to write more about the stuff in my head rather than a ‘show and tell’ type of post, because physically I just can’t get around as much. Although my content changed, my stats did not. In fact, they’ve been pretty steady and my engagement (including social media) has improved. So in that respect- no, my blog is not dying and the changes I’ve made have been good.
I’m hoping you’ll find it simpler, tidier and less complicated around here now. To be honest, I never felt like a ‘lifestyle’ blogger- I just felt like a mess? In a good Eton Mess style, normal human being kind of way though. But for the sake of pigeon holing, ‘lifestyle’ was my tick box. There might be less afternoon teas and more baby talk here, but essentially, I’m still here- the same old What-A-Mess I’ve always been. Thanks for sticking with me. Onwards and upwards eh?

I’m glad you’re getting back to what you love <3
Mel ★ http://www.meleaglestone.co.uk
Aw I love this! I totally feel the same about blogging and the whole over perfection of blogging these days just kills my posting creativity! I think little and often is the way to go… I need to give it a try. I have really loved catching up with your blog lately.
http://pollyrowan.com/
Love your blog. Fresh and easy to read. All the best with baby your looking great.
I would love it if you’d find time in your busyness to have a look at our little blog over at holdingarrows.com. And let us know what you think.
Take care and keep up the great work. Catherine x
LOVE the new site look Angela! I already miss your swish, old layout but this is so fresh and pleasing to the eye. Totally with you on keeping blogging simple. It’s definitely important to remember that not all blog readers are bloggers themselves! I, for one, am kind of sick of blogs constantly pushing blogging tips and little else. Just sayin’! x
Onwards and upwards indeed. Looking forward to reading more about the stuff in your head! Xx