On June 2nd, 2006, this blog was born. Back then, blogs were popular, social media was virtually non-existent, and people poured themselves into the posts they wrote, along with the comments they left in lively discussions attached to blog posts.
15 years later, those days are long gone, and other mediums have taken the thunder from the blogosphere (as it was affectionately known back then).
And although some people do still post thoughtful and well-constructed pieces on today’s most-used platforms, I think the vast majority of content is drastically shorter. The length of a Twitter status probably has something to do with the trend. Responses and discussions, too, feel somewhat superficial and empty a lot of the time.
Regardless, we are where we are.
I don’t lament the loss of days gone by. Everything moves on, of course, as has my life. When I started this blog, I was 25 years old, in one of my first jobs, living single, and on a quest for love. This blog was the platform on which my rediscovered love of writing was put out for all to see…well, those few people who were in my online circle at the time.
And it’s remained my home on the Internet all this time – where I can express whatever it is that is important to me. In those early years, the poetry flowed abundantly, and themed picture collections were many. I wrote prose, too, and common areas of focus were Ramadaan, and then my Hajj pilgrimage – which had a huge impact on me in the first decade of the blog’s life.
Marriage, fatherhood (x2), and many ups and downs all came and went in the years that since this blog began. And I wrote throughout that time. Sure, there were periods where the inspiration dried up completely – and I felt like I’d never put out anything creative again. But I kept this blog up – both as a permanent record of my writings, but also because, somewhere deep down, maybe I knew there would always be a chance that the words would return.
The ten-year anniversary was the impetus for the book which I published – though that took four years to actually finish and publish. And since then, we’ve had a pandemic (with still no end in sight yet) which has radically altered lifestyles, and changed the world forever.
I’ve made some new blog friends, seen the Like button play a role in effectively strangling proper blog engagement (because a click is easier than a comment for many), and received numerous followers who I don’t think actually read anything here – but hope for a follow-back (their own blog content, and the rate at which they rapidly Like posts when they first discover this blog gives me the impression that they aren’t genuinely interested).
But none of that matters. Because this blog has, largely, always been for me. I write for me, not for others. It just so happens that others have found some of my stuff beneficial.
It’s also been a platform from which I’ve launched a side career of writing for many other publications (which are listed here), though it took many years before I actually made any money from it.
And so, 15 years, 586 posts, and 1358 comments later, here I sit – hoping this platform will forever remain my online home.
Whatever happens, though, I thank you – dear reader – for being here.
I hope you find something that resonates with you, and hope that you’ll share whatever you feel is good with those who may appreciate it.
Yacoob
slip-sliding away..... 
Congratulations, Yacoob, that’s quite a long run and quite a feat, considering you still post thoughtful blogs. And 1,358 sounds like a LOT of comments, so obviously readers have been paying attention. Well done!
Thanks for number 1359 😉. To be honest, most of them probably came many years ago, when the Like button didn’t exist. Regardless, I appreciate them all, and the wonderful fellow bloggers like you who continue to drop by.
Congratulations, Yacoob! I enjoy your blog very much indeed; it’s always engaging, often educational, and your intelligence and generous heart feed my spirit, without fail. I agree that comments wane and interest fades with blogs, but, like you, I write because I’m a writer and keeps me happy. 🙂
Hooray for you!
Thanks for the kind words, Kitty 🙂 I look forward to your posts too, which are always gentle and inspiring.
🥳
I subscribed to your blog a really long time ago, before you were married I think. So I always got the email notifications when you posted. Some I read, some not. The ones I did read, I always wanted to post a comment, but I was too lazy to log in so it never happend! Everything is so “keep it short and simple” these days, it’s what keeps us sheep engaged unfortunately. Probably why I didn’t continue with my own blog, although I was never good at it anyway, but I miss them days. Thanks for the trip down memory lane, the reminder, the depth, the inspiration.
Wow…it’s pretty good to hear from someone who’s been here that long, so thank you. I see your blog is still up, and I think you definitely should revive it. ‘Good’ is subjective…and if it’s for yourself, but can benefit others, then why judge what you put out there? Hope to see more over there soon.
Thanks for the motivation, but I think my blog was done at a phase in my life which was quite difficult for me. And every time I went back to it to ‘revive’ it, it just brought back a lot of hurtful memories. I look back on it now and I think wow I was so bitter. Some things are just better left in the past.
🙂
Thanks for this history. It’s fascinating to read of someone who has blogged so long. I’ve only been at it 6 years now and don’t have many readers. I sure agree about the “likes”. Unfortunately, I use them too frequently–for the reason you mention, laziness/time. Keep on blogging.
Thanks, Carole 😊
Masha’Allah. Congratulations! 15 years blogging continuously at the same blog is quite impressive. I resonate a lot with what you’ve written about (I still call it the blogosphere even though it seems to no longer exist anymore, have been dismayed by the ubiquity of the like button, feel that most of my “followers” are also bots, etc.). You’re probably one of the only blogs in the traditional sense that I still engage with and I’m heartened that despite all the changes, you’ve stuck with it. It’s quite the repository! Here’s to 15 more years, Insha’Allah, and more!
Congratulations! And kudos to you for continuing to blog. Other medium (specially those that only require a person to tap and scroll) may have taken the blogosphere’s thunder, but for us who have been blogging for years know that there’s something gratifying about writing and publishing a blog post. Like you said, the blog feels like our home on the internet.
Congratulations 👏