The August Blogging Slump

A.K.A The One Where A Brummie Home and Abroad Turns 8

I don’t know what it is about August, but it’s always this time of year that I lose my blogging mojo.

Maybe it’s because we rarely take any time away during July and August – let the families have the overpriced, overbusy summer period – so there’s no trips to write about. Although that means no excuse not to finish the several cruise drafts still sitting on WordPress.

Maybe it’s because I’m thinking of the trips we’re still planning on taking this year; the weeklong Puglia holiday in September, or the Seville city break in November (hot off the press, freshly booked just last week). Scouring blog posts, Instagram and Pinterest for the best things to do and see. And naturally, where to eat and drink. Not to mention researching a 70th birthday cruise for Ma and Pa Lee next year. Which I might just have invited us along to…

And maybe this year it’s because I’ve not only got myself a new job, but like a crazy person, I applied for – and successfully got – a promotion after just 5 months. So sometimes, after a full day dealing with emails and meetings and spreadsheets, I just need gentle screen time, with no thinking required. A quick scroll through Instagram. Checking in with the family gossip on Facebook. Opening – and quickly closing – the cesspit of the site formerly known as Twitter. The mindless matching of Candy Crush (yep, still playing that). Old episodes of Taskmaster (we’re new to the Taskmaster party so lots of old series to catch up on). Even my beloved books are struggling to hold my attention.

Yet August was where A Brummie Home and Abroad all began. A gap between jobs in 2015, after a glorious two-week trip to Italy meant that my cup runneth over with ideas. Not only would I write up my Italy trip in a more helpful manner (now known as more SEO friendly) than my previous Travelpod ramblings, but I had a plethora of old trips to update. It was a wonderful August, with new versions of old blogs spilling out of me.

This August blogging slump doesn’t mean I’ve fallen out of love with my blog. Far from it. I love what I’ve created, and I love having captured so many amazing memories in writing the way others do with photos. Being able to relive old trips. It might be eight years of Brummie Home and Abroad, but it’s thirteen years of travel. And my blog has still been ticking over nicely, even during this blogging dry spell. 2,300 views in August. Over 1,800 visitors. Over 200 people wanted to know What To Do With Grown Up Parents in London. And Where to Visit in Tenerife with a Hire Car. One person even read an ancient blog post from our 2011 visit to Montmartre and Sacre Couer in Paris!

So as I tick into my 9th year of A Brummie Home and Abroad, I look back over my past travels with pride, and look forward to what’s ahead. I’m looking forward to September, to folk festivals and food festivals. To birthday celebrations. To more theatre and more books. And to travel to my favourite country with my favourite person. Let’s put the August blogging slump behind us. Until next year anyway.

Want to see what I wrote about Seven Years of A Brummie Home and Abroad?