Blogging is dead…or is it?

Blogging still gives me major 90s nostalgia. When I think of blogging, my mind floods with images of Carrie Bradshaw tapping away on her chunky laptop, LiveJournal confessions posted at all hours of the night, and the thrill of customizing a Blogger template.

I couldn’t help but wonder…in an era of algorithms and endless scrolling, was starting a blog a brave act of self-expression or was I just curating my own disappointment and failure?

For years, the internet has declared that “blogging is dead.” Yet, here we are. The reality is that blogs are more alive than ever and they’re embedded into our digital lives in ways that we don’t even realize.

Think about it:

• Searching for a recipe? Unless you’re referencing NYT Cooking or Bon Appétit, chances are the perfectly curated recipes you’re following came from someone’s blog.
• Googling a list of the top US cities to visit in the October? That roundup of “50 Best Fall Getaways” is almost certainly a blog post.
• How to fix a leaky sink? Figuring out how to crochet a cardigan? Wondering how to make a pumpkin spiced latte at home? You’re more than likely landing on a blog.

There are over 600 million blogs on the internet. According to HubSpot, over 60% of all internet users read blogs regularly. Translation: if you’re using Google to search for things on the internet, you’re reading blogs without even realizing it.

So no, blogging isn’t dead. It’s transformed into a medium that’s more integrated, more searchable, and in many ways more powerful than the digital personal journals you might remember from the 90s and early 2000s.

Why am I starting a blog now?

Starting a blog is relatively low-cost and accessible.

One of the main things I look for when I start a new side hustle is affordability. Can I start small without investing a huge chunk of change?

Blogging checks that box. The annual fee for a domain name (about USD $13/year) is manageable and I don’t have to make any other big investments. No fancy equipment or large startup investment required.

All I need is me, my laptop, and my brain full of ideas.

The low barrier to entry means anyone can experiment with blogging without feeling overwhelmed or overburdened by the costs. If it works, great. If not, you’ve lost less than a weekend sweet treat splurge.

Blogging is a creative outlet and a chance to connect with a broader community.

I’ve always wanted to do two things: write and help people. I’ve tried all sorts of things over the year, but it doesn’t seem I’ve done either of those particularly well.

Blogging is a chance to be creative, try new things, and share what I’ve learned with people who might be looking for answers to similar questions I’ve asked myself.

You, too, can reach people. Maybe it’s a recipe you’ve mastered. Maybe it’s lessons from a career pivot. Maybe it’s just the messy process of figuring out how to start something new when you don’t feel ready.

At its core, blogging is storytelling and you have a story to tell. It can connect us, teach us, and remind us we’re not alone.

Long-term potential is high, if you can be consistent.

When talking about blogs, we have to talk about money.

Monetization of blogs is a hot topic, as it is around side hustles. And yes, there is still money to be made from blogging. It’s not usually quick or easy money, but it’s possible.

The most common ways bloggers monetize are through:

• Ad revenue (like Google AdSense)
• Affiliate links (Commissions when readers buy through your recommendations)
• Sponsored posts (Partnerships with brands)
• Digital products (Ebooks, courses, templates etc)
• Services (Coaching, consulting, freelance work etc)

The key is consistency. Blogging is a slow burn and overnight success is rare. But if you stick with it, the long-term payoff can be significant. Some people turn blogs into full-time businesses. Others use them as stepping stones into opportunities they never imagined: book deals, speaking engagements, collaborations.

Will that be me? Who knows, but I’m open to trying.

Starting Before I’m “Ready”

Here’s the truth, I don’t feel 100% ready to start this blog.

My inner critic is LOUD and I know I could always have a better framework or sharper writing. But if I’ve learned anything it’s that waiting until you’re “ready” usually means never starting at all.

I’m approaching this as something I’ll learn by doing. Writing is a practice and your voice evolves as you publish. You get better over time, not by planning forever. It’s important to show up, even if you’re doing so imperfectly.

So this blog is my experiment. It’s not polished, but it’s mine.

Final Thoughts

When I asked myself whether starting a blog in 2025 made sense, I kept coming back to one truth – if you want to write, you have to write.

If no one reads it, if it doesn’t become the next big side hustle, it’s still worthwhile.