Magnolia Days sure has been quite an adventure. Five years ago I started this blog with a desire to share the things I enjoy with the world. Food, cooking, wine, and gardening are my top passions. I launched the site and all was great. It was a source of happiness with creativity and inspiration flowing like crazy.
However recently, not so much. How and when it changed is difficult to pinpoint. I am certain it was an accumulation of things over time. Almost every single thing about blogging became a source of stress and unhappiness. This is why I've made the decision to put an end to Magnolia Days.
I've been thinking about it for a long time. The first inkling happened one day when I was outside. I forget exactly what was happening at the moment or what I was thinking about. It was as if the wind blew a whisper into the back of my mind. Something was telling me to re-evaluate what I was doing.
Then I started paying attention. To everything. It was a realization of doing for the sake of doing. That may sound strange. Perhaps to explain it better is being caught up in a machine. Magnolia Days was supposed to be my virtual playground. No playing was happening for a long time. It was all work, work, work, work, and more work.
The work took over my life. I worked 7 days a week and many times 10+ hours a day.
I wondered why I was doing all that work for a hobby. Hobbies are supposed to be fun right? I never wanted it to be a big business. I certainly never wanted my blog to be a running advertisement of products. Some sponsored work occasionally to cover the cost was good enough for me.
Yet to get sponsors it meant getting numbers; views per month, social media follower counts, number of social media shares, and the list goes on. That's where I got caught up in the machine. It became non-stop and all about the numbers.
And what about ads? Yep, I went full on into using an ad network. The ads bring in some money. What's the caveat? Well, you need blog traffic to see the ads and for premium ads to be on your site. And guess what? Google is pushing accelerated mobile pages that have no ads. Google will also start penalizing blogs with popups including high paying mobile ads. Plus more folks are using ad blockers. So as time goes on, all the work to get all those numbers will be for less income.
You may wonder why I don't just slow it down. Get back to basics. Forget the numbers and blog whatever and whenever I want to again. I thought about it too. I spent weeks trying to figure out what recipe to make and share next. Nothing. The well has gone dry.
It isn't that I don't want to cook or bake. It's quite the opposite. I want to enjoy the experience again for what it is supposed to be. I simply do not want to go through the drudgery of hours upon hours of what has to be done to feed the machine in order for it to spit out the numbers.
I admit there have been lots of good because of the blog. I've met wonderful people and had experiences I never would have without it. I definitely treasure all the goodness of it.
There have been plenty of kindnesses through the years too. I am thankful to all who visited, made my recipes, read my stories, inspired me, shared, commented, and supported me.
I plan to keep the website up for a little while. Sometime between now and the end of the year it will be gone. It will be a bittersweet day for sure. Edited to add: After some advice and comments received since this announcement, the site may continue to stay up as long as the expense of it is covered with ongoing traffic and revenue for existing posts.
And so the Magnolia Days adventure ends. What's happening with me next? I'll be tackling a giant to-do list of things I've put off for years. I've already started exercising to get back into shape. I'll see where life takes me. My future is wide open for new adventures and endeavors. For now, and most importantly, I'll once again truly and thoroughly enjoy good food, wine, gardening, and life in the South.
Oh, Renee! Your description of the numbers game makes me exhausted and tired too. I am so happy you've decided to get back to basics and just be. Your best self is when you're doing things that make you happy and we all want to see you happy. Cheers to the last 5 years' journey!
We will certainly miss you Renee and all of your wonderful posts. I completely understand that life is much more important than blogging. I am going to take some advice from you and slow things down a bit on my blogging so as to not get burned out. It is so easy to do, even without worrying about numbers, I tend to join every cooking event and club that I come across. Very time consuming. May life treat you well and I hope to see you and your pups occasionally on facebook.
I totally understanding where you're coming from. That said, you did beautiful work on your blog and you should be very proud of what you built. All the best to you in pursuing your goals outside the blogging world!
Wishing you all the best, Renee! I always enjoy your posts and your photography. You've shared so much of your time and yourself with others and it has been truly appreciated. Looking forward to hearing about where life takes you next.
I can completely understand your brave decision, the chasing the numbers part is so draining it can kill the fun part. So sad, though, not only in general but to lose you in the blogging world. You have shared some great recipes, always beautiful photography and Magnolia Days is definitely something you should be proud of.
Renee, thanks for being here and sharing your goodies! I understand the fatigue that can come from this business. Stay in touch!
Renee, cheers to you and to the next chapter in your life! Everything evolves and changes and yet so many of us fail to recognize it. To have the courage and bravery to recognize when one chapter ends and it's time for another to begin is truly admirable. That's why I left my corporate job and made my mission to #MakeSomedayHappen and do all those things you keep putting off, like that to-do list and just living life! I will miss your beautiful recipes but look forward to hearing about your life as a domestic goddess in the real world! Cheers!
Wow! You'll definitely be missed. Guess I better get to making the recipes of yours I've saved before your site goes completely off the air. I've enjoyed learning from you and working with you. Best of luck with your future of "freedom".
Whereas I am saddened on the one hand, I am thrilled for you on the other. Your blog has been an inspiration to me. I love how you share your life and your photographs are magnificent. Yet, the best part of having discovered your blog has been developing a wonderful friendship and that, I know, will continue to grow.
I am confident you will dive right into your next venture with passion and grace....even if that venture is sipping sweet tea on your porch!
xoxo
You and your blog have been an inspiration to me. I can't believe this is happening, but I only wish you the best in your new venture!
I still owe you a jar of kimchi! 🙂
Literally reading this feels like what I've been going through. I'm currently attempting to just slow it down and now worry about it, but I totally understand where you're coming from. We'll miss you <3
Thanks for being here for the last 5 yrs. I will miss your blog, stories and recipes - but totally understand. Wishing you a great future ahead full of enjoyment and many blessings. - Alles Gute und viel Glueck 🙂
I am a recent subscriber but I've enjoyed my brief acquaintance with your blog. Enjoy your free time.
I think ALL your fellow bloggers can relate!!! And I'm so glad we have gotten to know each other through our blogs and even in person!!! xoxo
Thank you so much for all you have given to your fellow blogging community. You have been so generous with your time and your knowledge. I can totally understand where you are coming from, and have been trying very hard not to let this become more stress than pleasure, not necessarily successfully. I will miss your recipes and stories, but am grateful for your friendship.
Aww man! I am going to miss you, but you have to do what you have to do. I kind of put mine on the back burner. I feel very burned out. Good luck with that to do list,
I was happy to play a small part in a wonderful endeavor. Remember nothing on the Internet ever dies
The numbers game and the constant changes sure do strip the fun out of it, don't they? You're blog will be missed! But like Betsy said, the friendships made along the way will live on! Cheers!!
There are no words... Your inspiration, guidance, and wisdom helped me to no end. I will miss your beautiful photos and delicious food, but I completely understand the need to getting back to your passion and not having to worry about numbers outside of measurements of ingredients.
<3
I wish you the absolute best. I appreciate your friendship through Sunday Suppers and thank you for all you taught me. The blogging game has worn on me as well and totally understand your sentiment.
I totslly get where you're coming from. Be happy and be well!
My dear friend, Renee! I'm sad to hear that this beautiful space of yours is coming to an end but kudos to you for recognizing that this blog no longer brings you joy. You should be so proud of everything you've built. Magnolia Days has always been one of my favourite blogs to visit and you've done so much amazing work with Sunday Supper! You've always been an inspiration to me. I will always appreciate your mentorship and friendship. You deserve to relax and focus on all the things that make you happy and fulfilled. I will continue to stalk you on all other forms of social media 😉 xoxoxoxo!
Like everyone here, I can totally relate 10 years for me and while last year I was gung ho, this year I'm tired. I am not ending my blog and I'm not pushing for big numbers. I'll do what I have been doing, but by the end of this year, I see things slowing down for me even more. Like you, this has been my hobby. Started out as one. It became something different, but my kids still read and that is why I keep going. They are interested in it. I see myself phasing out of several things for one specific reason. I need to pay attention to home. I don't want to spend my nights and weekends working to make a blog work, when all it was supposed to be was something for the boys. I completely understand where you're coming from and know you are NOT alone. Love to you as you move on into your next phase and hopefully I will still see you around on facebook!
This sentence is a stab in the gut with its truth: "Almost every single thing about blogging became a source of stress and unhappiness."
Thank you for sharing your gift with us for as long as you did....5 years of being an Internet publisher is, what, about the equivalent of a 20-year full-time job, eh?
Your wisdom to listen to your own insight, your courage to take a big action to change it, your grace and generosity to other bloggers through all these years -- these are things we treasure about you Renee.
I do hope you keep Magnolia Days up and available, for all those who need one of your incomparable cookies, your Pimento cheese or another southern delight.
I look forward to continued photos of your garden, your gorgeous flowers, and your beloved dogs.
Life is short, and you have seized the day, my friend. Well done.
OMG! Wow Renee, all I can say is good for you. I am right there with you about blogging. Something that was fun and my creative outlet became work, work, work. I myself cut down on blogging. I blog when I want. The numbers don't matter to me anymore. I am proud of you, and maybe, just maybe one day you'll decide to keep the blog up and post on occasion. You have been an inspiration to me, and have helped me out a lot on advice. I am glad I got to meet you last year. I wish you the best of luck on your new adventures.
I will certainly miss your beautiful, tasty posts, but I understand the feelings you are describing. Enjoy finding your bliss! You will be missed!
This has always been one of my favourite stops in blogland... you've created a beautiful thing here. I can relate to much of what you describe (although I've never blogged for income and my latest post was in *ahem* March). I wish you all the best for whatever comes next...thank you for everything you've shared!
You - I'm gonna miss. I have eliminated almost all of the blogs I subscribed to. But, I kept yours. Because you sounded like me ...
Enjoy your blog retirement! You deserve it.
If you can believe it, I actually noticed that I'd not seen you posting as much in the past few weeks and I wondered if something was up. I can TOTALLY relate to what you're speaking about and I give you TONS of credit for deciding that it's not what you want anymore. It was supposed to be fun, right? I've decided that I will go at my own pace and not worry about numbers. I will assume that you'll still be posting photos of your food here and there so I'll look forward to still seeing what you're whipping up in your kitchen. In the meantime, have fun and enjoy life! You deserve it, Renee!
I'm going to miss your posts, my friend. I'm so glad we connected through blogging and I hope we get to remain friends - I love reading about your doggies and I worry about your mom. Also, when you took us to Germany it was fantastic! Yum Goggle will miss your stellar recipes and your beautiful photos as well. I'll be talking to you on Face Book!
I completely understand what you're saying. Completely. I dialed my posting back in August, and it was so nice to cook what I wanted and not have to worry if I'd have time to photograph the dish before dinner. For now, I'm just generally dialing it back, and we'll see where that goes. But I totally understand your decision to stop the train. I will miss seeing your posts, and reading what's going on for you. All the best to you, my friend!
You are a very brave woman. So many of us have felt tired, stressed, uncertain, clueless, frustrated and more because of a blog post, an editorial calendar, social media, analytics, numbers, no or very few comments, and not enough or no payment (at all) for our multiple hours of work.
I believe you will find joy in the things you love. Thank you for these words, they are transparent and so honest, thank you. Hugs!
Gonna miss your entertaining prose, delicious recipes, and beautiful photography. Congrats on your successful blog and best wishes for the new chapter of your life! Cheers!
So sad to hear that 🙁 I am excited for what the future has in store for you! best of luck!
Dear Renee, Though I've not been an active commenter on your blog, I had recently missed seeing you in my inbox and at the back of my mind had been giving thought to contacting you to see how you were. I've seen very few bloggers as prolific as you and it used to amaze me how you could keep up such a pace... and at such a high-level caliber, for everything about your blog is quite beautiful and professional. I wish you the very best in your future creative pursuits and given you are so highly talented I feel confident you will find something equally as fulfilling. My most sincere very best wishes are sent your way.
Good for YOU! I have a "just for fun" and to share recipes with friends and family blog. It, too, became a chore. I blog now when I feel like it. Mostly, I do exactly what I want to do... paint (watercolor). I still cook, but every recipe you can name is out there on the web. I keep my (free) blog up so that I and family can quickly locate one of my favorite recipes. Consider it from that stand point. I have been so put off by blogs that are obviously income generating and have little or no food knowledge behind them.
ENJOY your life! Do what makes you HAPPY!!
Hugs, The Southern Cook
Sad to see you go, but you need to follow your heart.
I've been blogging for almost 8 years and managed to treat it as a hobby from day one. It worked for me, I don't get a lot of traffic, but a group of followers that seem to enjoy what I offer 😉
I could not do it if I had to worry about ads, social media etc etc. I do have a day job that is pretty intense and my number one occupation for sure
I think you should give yourself a break, and leave the door to coming back open, if you so desire one day... maybe if you get into a lighter path the blogging "mojo" will come back? 😉
It's been nice following you!