Why I Still Love Blogging in the Age of Short-Form Content.
Most people’s attention spans these days are limited to 15 or 30 seconds, maybe 60 if you’re lucky, thanks to short-form video. And while I definitely contribute to that wave, I still enjoy writing with the hope that someone, somewhere, will read what I share and feel inspired.
I love doing short-form videos. They’re quick, easy, and, frankly, the only content that consistently gets over 100 likes or views. It’s clear that people pay attention to those. The reaction is immediate, which is exhilarating. I can tell right away if the general public sees it as entertaining. But it’s one-sided. There’s no space to go deeper, no time to tell a real story. I can be funny or serious, animated or chill, but there’s no room for depth. No chance for the viewer to pause, reflect, or sit with what I’ve created. It’s all here and now, and then it’s gone.
I love to think. My kids say I just love to hear the sound of my own voice, and there’s probably some truth to that. I fancy myself one of those movie trailer voiceover gods. I’m not, of course, but I try. Blogging and writing let me say exactly what’s on my mind, no matter how odd, true, bleak, or funny those thoughts may be. I’m not at the mercy of the algorithm. If you’ve come to my blog, I have your attention for the time it takes you to read, absorb, and understand what I’ve shared.
These blog entries are my online diary. They give insight not only to you, dear reader but also to my future self—into what I was thinking and feeling at a specific moment in time. Sometimes, years later, those thoughts still resonate. Often, they don’t. And that’s okay. That’s part of growth. I want to evolve. I hope these words help me move in that direction.
When I first started photography, I did it simply for the love of doing it. I was learning, sure, but I also just enjoyed creating. If I hated what I made, I learned from it. If I loved it, I tried to build on it. Blogging is like that, too. I do it for myself and share it in case someone else finds meaning in it. I’m not chasing likes.
I saw a YouTube video recently titled, “You’ve seen enough content. Now go create.” I’m probably paraphrasing, but the sentiment hit hard. I consume a lot of art and media, and I’m not planning to stop, but I also want to keep creating.
I write for my children, too. One day, I hope these words give them insight into who I was—not just their dad, but an artist, a thinker, a creative. I want them to know me beyond the surface. And I always encourage others to try their hand at something creative. Pick up a pen, a paintbrush, a camera, a video mic, whatever your thing is, and begin.
The hardest part is starting. But I promise, it gets easier from there.
