I didn’t realise until about yesterday that I have been writing this blog for three years. For me, this is a long time to hold on to any hobby. Many people asked me in the beginning what my plan for the blog was. I didn’t have any. I still don’t.

I entered the blogging world very late and very unprepared. I insisted on anonymity in the beginning – mainly because I thought that in case the blog would turn up absolutely shit, I can anonymously fade away. This was, of course, a very bad idea, because of course people want to know whose texts they are reading.

As for strategy or a plan – well, first, the topics I want to write about don’t monetise well. Actually, strike that: writing about skincare is easy to monetise. But it’s the way I want to write about things that doesn’t monetise well. I would feel absolutely weird posing next to a shampoo and praise its cleansing qualities.

I have noticed how many lifestyle- and fashion blogs are struggling to keep upbeat during the pandemic. Constantly presenting newness is tough, as many bloggers’ lifestyles have become far less abundant than before, and the outlook of the world is not exactly rosy for the time being.
At the same time the readers want to escape their lives and read something inspirational – including me. I frantically scour for online lifestyle magazines for latest makeup- and fashion tips, as if to get ready for a fantasy life that will start as soon as the pandemic is out of the way.

Speaking of fantasy life, I must sidestep here to mention the much hyped Netflix series Emily In Paris. I watched a couple of episodes and was left perplexed. American media have given it surprisingly good reviews (Quelle surprise!), but I’d be interested in reading what Parisians think about it, except that because of them being Parisian, they won’t.

It’s by the Sex and the City -people (including producer Darren Star and costume designer wizard Patricia Field), but it’s an extremely far cry from SATC. What’s interesting about Emily In Paris that it’s rated 16+ years (because nudity, which I didn’t detect in the episodes I saw), considering that only kids younger than 16 are likely to watch it. Kids, and maybe tourists who get hospitalised for Paris syndrome when Ladurée is out of their favourite macarons.

Most of Emily In Paris is filmed in France, including in Paris (though disturbingly many outside scenes take place against a fake-looking, static backdrop of sunny Pont Alexandre III, complete with an extremely attractive accordionist playing – originally enough – Sous le Ciel de Paris).
City of Paris should absolutely legislate against “Americans in Paris” -genre films being shot on location, or at least insist on the right to final edit.

If, for some reason, you must see contemporary Americans do Paris, maybe watch Julie Delpy’s “2 Days in Paris” which is not absolutely ridiculous.

Now, back to marvelling at my perseverance to write a blog that doesn’t have a plan or purpose. Writing is a solitary activity, and pressing “publish” still feels odd at times: is anybody going to read this? Also, in the end, these are just my opinions about things, why should and would anybody have an interest in them?

I’ve learned to manage these thoughts and self-criticism and to just keep at it. I have always been writing, and though I still consider reading to be far more important to me, having an uncensored platform to say what I must at any given time has been an absolute blast.
(The downside of unlimited space is that blogs, or bloggers rather, have developed a recognisable writing style precisely because our musings are not edited. No beauty editor at a newspaper is given unlimited space to praise an eye-cream. Or try reading a book by a career-blogger and have the sheer wordiness knock you out!)

After a circumstantial separation from my books for a couple of months, I will return to literary recommendations soon. I will actually return to many things, as we are about to enter my favourite time of the year: November.
Meanwhile, in addition to congratulating myself, I would like to extend thanks to all of you as well – many of you have been reading my blog since the beginning.

So, an unceremonious thank you to everybody. Here’s a little celebratory poem, author unknown.

Republicans are red,
Violets are blue,
The dying wish of RBG
Will slowly come true.

NB. The poem refers to the reporting that the fast-track Supreme Court confirmatory vote might be in jeopardy due to everybody left and right (actually just right) being ill with COVID-19.