There’s something quite liberating about a blank slate.
Much like the first page in a notebook (and I love notebooks), a blank slate on a blog offers so many possibilities. My 2024 intentions for mcguire.ie didn’t really come to pass, six or seven posts since the summer refresh attempting to document a health journey not exactly keeping up with what was happening in the real world. Truth told, in that regard I’m much further along than any lingering posts would suggest, while hindsight would inform me that the journey was never about writing it up or hyping up goals and milestones – the real work was being done on the virtual roads of Watopia and at home on the path between the office and the fridge.
Now as 2025 beckons, it feels right to box things off again, tidy up the blog from an SEO point of view, and get ready for a new year ahead.
Why clear the slate?
For one, I wanted a fresh start with the domain, purely for blogging purposes. Again it comes back to that notebook approach, a clean set of pages for a new year ahead. For another, the handful of posts penned over the past few months were particular to that time, and while they served a purpose, they no longer serve a purpose. I often write just to write, not specifically to leave something of use or reference. So if the posts no longer hold a use, they get shelved. That’s the joy of the internet, right?
Rather than trying to force new ideas into an old framework, I want the freedom to reimagine what this space can be.
A quarter of a century in
Looking ahead to 2025, I’m brimming with ideas.
I’ve enjoyed a busy year in reviving Ken On Food (with 133 posts, 50-odd podcasts and newsletter editions published), so much so that I’ve been working behind the scenes for the last quarter of this year to get a solid content plan together for 2025. There’s no hiding my love for food, but writing on the topic is something that requires constant work, research and refinement. Time too is a plus, but having carved out time this year to make a few things happen, I’m confident the same if not better can be repeated for the coming 12 months. The ideas book is filling up anyway.
My other name-driven blog at kenmcguire.ie could use a kick in the backside for 2025, that too getting some content consideration in line with my radio and tech work. Let the ideas come. At the very least, my 2023 podcast kit list could do with a 2025 upgrade. A lot of my other projects or writing outlets are either seasonal or getting mothballed, but if you’re curious, you’ll find more here.
This personal blog will be a place for storytelling, reflection, and observation. I want to dive into topics I’m passionate about, from creativity to everyday life, while leaving room for spontaneity. It’s not about chasing trends or algorithms – there’s no keyword research nor any search engine optimisation hackery going on – instead, it’s about creating something authentic and meaningful. That or it’s about having another space to practice what I preach on the writing front.
Shut up; isn’t blogging dead?
Short answer; nope. This is a decent read too.
In an era dominated by social media addiction, there’s a lot to be said for the old days of carving out a corner of the internet as your own. Your blog, your space, a place to hang your hat and your thoughts free from views, likes, shares, trending audio and jump cuts.
Own your content. Thus, I blog.
As I embark on this fresh start, I feel both nostalgic and excited. Nostalgic for the blogging “golden era” when everything felt new and exciting. And awards nights came with DVD players. Those were the days.
To anyone reading this, thank you for being here. Whether you’re an old friend of previous blog iterations or a new reader, I’m grateful for your time and presence. Here’s to fresh starts and the stories waiting to be told. Let’s see where 2025 takes us.
