Celebrating 17 years of blogging!
Happy 17 KERFday!
Today is my blog’s 17th birthday! I was recently on a zoom call and told the person my site was “16 or 17 years old, I lost count.” Afterwards I looked it up – 17 years it is!
Some of you have been following me since those very, very early days. You probably remember bowls of oatmeal with a peanut butter spoon floating on top before I went to my PR job, the RD days when I wrote blog posts between classes, the Great Harvest days, the BERF days.
If you haven’t been around long, check out:
- This favorite posts archive page
- This 10 year anniversary page with some of my favorite posts linked
- Or this page which links to almost every page on my site!
- Mazen’s birth story and Birch’s birth story
- All the wedding posts
In that 10th anniversary post, I had written 6844 posts. As of today, that number is 7935 posts plus 382,493 comments and 265,000 photos shared. GEEZ!
In honor of 17 years, here are some thoughts / fun facts / reflections about blogging into the teenage years.
17 Years Of Blogging
Variety Is Key
For me, writing about a variety of topics is such a key component of keeping things interesting. Long-time readers know that I go through phases based on what is happening in my life. I went through two big baby phases, plenty of Home Neat Home phases, some entrepreneur phases. What I love most about my blog is that I am not limited to one niche topic. The experts would tell me that is hurting my traffic and they are not wrong. So it’s a good thing maximum traffic is not my end game. But writing about the topics on my mind means I’m writing creatively and not forcing it or getting bored, which I do think creates the best reader experience.
Build A Lifestyle, Not A Company
When I started my blog in 2007, I was only looking for a creative outlet. I had no idea it was possible to make money on the internet, and I scoffed at the idea of doing so when my dad brought up putting ads on my site. (He encouraged me to look into it, and I’m glad I eventually did!) Of course, as time went on, generating income to cover my hosting costs and maybe some groceries became a bit more appealing.
A few years ago, I listened to a podcast interview for another blogger who started around the same time as me. In the present time, she had dozens of full-time employees working for her and a fancy office. For a split second, I had a twinge of jealousy over how much money her site must be making to support those things, but then I had a fast reality check that going to an office everyday was exactly the lifestyle I didn’t want. What has always been most important to me is to be able to put my creative energy and time into something that could help or inspire others while also earning money to support my family along the way. I am eternally grateful for the flexibility this job offers to let me greet the boys when they get off the bus each day or take a trip when the invitation arises.
Learning to Pivot
Throughout the years, I’ve pivoted and branched out in ways I couldn’t have predicted coming. When my ad network contract with Foodbuzz ended. When brand sponsorships moved from blogs to Instagram. Also, when I joined Beautycounter. When I created Digital Clutter and Bloom. When Beautycounter closed. And many more ways. Having diversity of income, platform, and revenue channel means when something is down, something else is often up. Who knows what is next!
Blogging Has Gotten Much More Complicated, But Also Much Easier
A contradictory sentence? Adding the above branches has certainly complicated things. Blog friends and I often reminisce about the days when we “just had to blog” three times a day. There wasn’t all the social media amplification and so on. But in many ways, things have gotten so much easier. I used to take all of my photos on a Canon Mark II that I haven’t touched in years now that iPhone cameras are so great. Apps like Asana and YNAB have made tracking tasks and accounting so organized. Canva is the best app/website EVER INVENTED!
Flexibility Is Always Top Priority
Long gone are the days when I would come home from an event and stay up an extra hour to write a post about it. Since I value flexibility more than anything else, I’m working at least a month ahead on seasonal / evergreen content. And then I write more time sensitive posts the week of or the week after the event. I also have the world’s best virtual assistant, Hillary, who helps me behind the scenes in so many ways, so I am able to take time off to travel or if my kids are sick. (I wrote this post in 2018 when I was thinking about going back into more real-time posting.)
Leaning On Blog Friends
Conversations with other bloggers are always so inspiring. I appreciate Anne, Brittany, and Teri for their willingness to share ideas and resources throughout the years. In the earlier days, I was part of a group called “KABU: Kick Ass Blogger Union” (haha) and we supported one another rather than compete. The best colleagues are open books. We all do things a little bit differently, but we all learn from one another.
Stay True To You
^^ This super corny phrase really does sum up everything about running a blog for almost two decades. At the end of the day, you have to do you. Not everyone is going to like you – and that’s ok! You can’t worry about what other people are doing or force their style onto you. You can’t worry about what the trolls are going to say because anything you do is wrong. So, you have to be genuinely you.
Thank you
Thank you for following along with our family’s story. Thanks for showing up to read posts, click links, leave comments, and write personal emails and DMs. The times when you have reached out have meant so much to me. Thank you KERF family <3
Melissa says
Congrats on 17 meaningful, helpful and insightful years of your blog! I’ve been a fan and follower since the beginning, way back when I was a 19-year-old college student! Since then, I’ve always enjoyed checking in with you whether it is your recipes, shopping recommendations, nutrition and your family, it’s always been a highlight for me! Thanks so much for always producing quality and compelling content; I’m looking forward to another several decades of your insight! Congrats, again!
Kath Younger says
19 wow! Thank you Melissa : )
Annie says
Ditto to this! I’ve grown up with you, Kath! Thanks for being a great role model for so many years.
Allison says
Thank you for sharing your life for 17 years! I’ve loved seeing how your life has evolved over the years. You have a beautiful family.
Kath Younger says
Thank you Allison <3
Louise RD says
Congrats on 17 years of great blogging! Keep it coming
Kath Younger says
Thank you Louise!
Wendy says
I have never once commented and I have followed you since day one. I thoroughly enjoy reading your content and watching you and your family’s adventures! Keep doing you!
Kath Younger says
Thank you for your first comment 17 years in!! Haha, I love it!
Hannah says
Congratulations on making it this long! An accomplishment to say the least. You’ve kept me company and inspired my own health journey from my dorm room days (17 years ago!!!) and feel like I’ve grown up with you. Keep on keeping on!
Kath Younger says
Thank you Hannah!
Barbara Lott says
Happy Kerfday! Thanks for entertaining, educating, and inspiring me.
Kath Younger says
Thank you Barbara!
Kathy says
from a long time reader—-Congratulations and Happy Birthday!! I have and still do enjoy reading your blog posts. I’m always learning about something. 🙂 Thank you for still being here!! 🙂
Kath Younger says
Thanks Kathy!
Anne @ fANNEtasticfood says
Love this trip down memory lane post! Grateful to have become friends and stayed friends for so many years thanks to blogging <3
Kath Younger says
Appreciate our friendship online and IRL!
Liz Piasecki says
Congratulations! I’ve been reading your blog since the beginning, and when I make my quarterly visit to Trader Joe’s in C’ville, I always hope I run into you! I feel like we’re best friends. LOL
Kath Younger says
Haha!! We are!
Kara says
Happy Kerfday! I’ve been reading for a long time and have enjoyed the variety of your posts. Yours are the ones I look forward to the most. Congratulations and keep up the great work!
Kath Younger says
Thank you Kara
Wendy says
Congratulations! Long time follower! I remember the way back days….so way back I can’t even recall how I found you! I’m from Ontario, Canada, so I do get a kick out of your “cold weather days” lol. I thoroughly enjoy your content, all the recipes, renos, trips, and most of all daily life with your lovely family. I hope to continue to read your posts for many years to come!
Kath Younger says
Haha well send us some snow! Thank you!
Wendy says
Oh you are most welcome! Believe me, you do NOT want our cold weather or ! Lol
Katie says
Congrats on 17 years! I first came across your blog in high school (circa 2012) when I was considering becoming an RD and doing research on the career. While I ended up taking a different path, nutrition is still a passion of mine. I’ve enjoyed keeping up with your adventures over the years – cheers to the next 17!
Kath Younger says
In high school! That’s awesome.
Katie says
Happy Kerfday! I can’t believe it’s been 17 years, wow. Congrats!
Kath Younger says
Thank you Katie!
Vicki says
Happy Kerfday! I started reading after I found a post on sleep training you posted on BERF back when Mazen was a baby. My son is now almost 13 and I’ve read pretty much every post since then.
I have an amateur interest in nutrition and fitness and we are now both mums of two kids so there’s always enough relatable content for me to keep reading.
Keep doing you and we’ll all keep reading!
Kath Younger says
Aren’t we both glad these big boys sleep! Haha.
Erin M says
Congratulations! I’ve been a reader since the beginning and feel like I know you a little ( trying not to sound creepy, lol!) I appreciate your blog and the way it’s changed since we’ve gotten older. Best of luck in the future!!
Kath Younger says
I truly believe id be instant friends with all of you!
Sheryl says
I don’t remember how I landed on your blog but I will never forget the first page I read. It was your announcement that your marriage was ending, and even though I knew absolutely nothing about you, my heart ached for you.
It was the beginning of my daily read as I rooted for you to find happiness and celebrated with you when you did.
My favorite posts are your travel adventures and your family life. I’m also an organization nerd so I read along and think, yep, I do that do.
Congrats on your accomplishments and good luck for the future!
Kath Younger says
Aww what a heartfelt memory! thank you for sharing.
Tracy says
Happy Birthday KERF!! I’ve been reading from the very beginning! Glad you’ve stuck around and stayed true to yourself. Hears to 17 more years!! 🙂
Kath Younger says
Thanks Tracy! Appreciate all of your comments over the years!
Amanda says
Congrats on your 17th anniversary! I’ve loved following along since your RD school/oatmeal days!!
Kath Younger says
“The oatmeal days” haha!
Amy says
Happy KERF day! Congratulations and cheers to many more. I love that your blog is still blog-y. I love the recaps and random life update posts the best. I don’t use traditional social media (no Facebook, instagram, tic tok, etc) so I love that you’ve kept more to the roots of blogging, when so many others that I used to read pivoted to one topic, style of content, or ended permanently. I have been reading since pre Mazen and pre enclosed porch renovation on your old house! I’m guessing for 15 of your 17 years I’ve checked in almost daily. Probably a decade ago you mailed me a KERF pumpkin pin (maybe I won it? Dunno why I got one) that I still have to this day. :D. Thank you, Kath!
Kath Younger says
Aw love all these memories! And a pumpkin pin – interesting! I don’t remember that haha!
samantha says
been reading since 2009 as a recent college graduate! wow. rooting for you!
Kath Younger says
So fun!
Kelly Calisto says
Wow! I can’t believe I’ve read 7935 posts! (Well plus the newer one so 7936). Congrats! Thanks for taking us all along for the ride.
I don’t usually comment, expect maybe back in the giveaway days, but it’s been a long time. I’ve abandoned a lot of blogs since the early days or the blogs were abandoned, but I keep coming back to yours. It’s been fun to see the twists and changes through the years. We’re about the same age so sort of like growing up together. I do feel like I kind of know you and never really know how to explain it to people!
In a fun twist I actually just spent my first weekend in CVille. Of course from following your blog I’ve been wanting to go for years and ended up hitting up a lot of your recommended spots. All were excellent. And walking by many others I often see mentioned. It was a bit surreal, maybe like entering the world of a favorite book and having it come to life? Either way I definitely kept my eyes open for you and your family and maybe extra scoped out the houses we drove past for familiar looking renovations. (In a non creepy way I promise!) But missed ya this time 🙂
Thanks for sharing your life with us all these years.
Kelly
Kath Younger says
Love this Kelly! I love the concept of a “book coming to life.” Glad you had a good time. What was your favorite spot/restaurant/food?!
Kelly says
Oh man, we packed so much in! We were there for a wedding at Veritas! Which was gorgeous as you always describe. Hit up Fridays after 5, both farmer’s markets, walked the trails at Monticello and Ivy Creek and ate so much food. I can’t say there was anything we didn’t enjoy! Some fav food spots were brunch at Farm Bell, dinner at Zocalo, drinks at Crush Pad, food at The Bebedero. We also spent a day visiting King Family Vineyards, Chiswell Wine, and Septenary, all of which were great for their own reasons. Such a fun town and a fun trip and definitely a little extra special to see all the places I’ve read about for so many years.
Kath Younger says
Wow you hit all the great spots! I think this was one of the few weeks I haven’t been to Fridays lately. Would have been fun to meet up!
Kelly says
I did look around just in case. I hope to be back again before another 17 years so next time!
Laura says
Wow! Congratulations! I remember finding your blog in the very early days via a budget cooking blog. I think the author was highlighting all the great oatmeal content on KERF. Haha!
Here’s to many more years!
Kath Younger says
Oh shoot – which post is that? I’m not quickly finding that reference. I don’t work exclusively with one!
Bekah Wright says
Happy 17th! I’ve been with you since the beginning and have enjoyed it every step of the way. And… I’m still considering the blogging (or substack) life myself. Speaking of which, the influencer marketing company you reference in your 2018 post has a broken link. Are you working with one today? Looking forward to your next 17!