Happy 19th KERFDay!
August 31st marks 19 years of continuous blogging! I started this blog in my twenties, out of a strange combination of curiosity and creativity.
Nineteen years is a long time to keep showing up in one place, and somewhere along the way it turned into a running record of my whole adult life. That’s actually kinda cool when I think about it! When I read older posts, I don’t even recognize the woman (girl?) in the photos. Of course I remember moments from those days, but they all feel like a dream. I think some of you have better memories of my life than I do! This space has held every version of me, and I thank you for cheering me on from afar.
By The Numbers
At 10 years in, I had 6,844 posts. Today that number is hovering around 8,177! A few more numbers that stopped me in my tracks:
- Somewhere north of 383,000 comments left on this blog since day one
- 6 houses, and lots of Home Neat Home posts!
- 2 birth stories, which were some of my most viewed posts
- 431 travel posts, which are my favorites to write!
- 3 Healthy Living Summits, born out of wanting to meet you all in person. Plus many more blog events!
Friendship (noun, pronounced /?frend???p/)
The state of being friends based on mutual affection, esteem, trust, and support.
Despite the fact that I haven’t met many of you in real life, I feel your energy every day when I read comments and DMs. And when I do get the chance to say hi in real life, I know we are already friends. I wish there were an easier way to gather as a group (which is exactly how the Healthy Living Summit was born!) You have grown up with me, and boy have we gone through many phases together.
There are comments I still think about, like when some of you have written that sharing one of my stories (birth, separation, health) directly influenced your life. That is my why.
This was my actual license plate in 2013!
KERF = Kath Embraces Real Friendships
I truly appreciate your loyalty, enthusiasm, and kindness over the 19 (!) years that so many of you have been continuously reading.
The OG KERF Logo!
I now keep hair supplies in this bowl!
My grandfather loved his KERF sweatshirt!
Reader Questions
I put a question box on Instagram for an “Ask Me Anything.” Here were some of the questions I received:
What do you miss about the peak HLB (healthy living blog) days?
Everything! I loved that my only focus was publishing posts and the quality did not matter – pictures, captions, done! I loved that everyone seemed to have a blog so there was so much connectedness. Back when people actually left comments on blogs, they had links to their blogs and you could go see who was behind the comment (usually). I loved the Healthy Living Summits and getting together in real life and the other blog conferences from the time (BlogHer, Foodbuzz). It was just a really fun time! And no one took it too seriously.
Why do you think you’re still inspired to blog all these years later?
To be completely honest, the income. At least at the level, intensity, and pace I have been going for 19 years. As I share below, I don’t think I will ever cold turkey stop. But if or when I’m doing it just for fun, I would probably just do travel and the occasional life recap and call it a day 🙂
What do you miss about having a Great Harvest?
Obviously all the free bread! And the Savannah bars. We used to make such good sandwiches. I rarely make sandwiches at home now. I can still go buy bread, but it’s not the same.
What would you tell yourself 19 years ago, knowing what you know now?
Work smarter, not harder. I try to be strategic, but I’m only looking a month ahead. I wish I had spent more time studying the industry and trying to be ahead of the curve instead of following it.
Do you have a favorite post of all time?
Ahhh such a great question! The first one that popped into my mind was this post where I finished my dietetic internship. I just remember the RELIEF I felt of being done!! I also love that both of my birth stories are preserved in such detail. I do go back and read them on occasion. There are many more – lots of my travel posts!
How is your new normal going? Any hobbies or travel in the works?
New normal is great. I am obsessed with my new house and so glad I decided to go for it! I love the vibe, natural light, and neighborhood. I’ve been actually learning piano via the Simply Piano app, which has been really fun. And travel – yes – I am going to Paris in 2 weeks with a couple of friends!!!
What’s the best thing that’s happened from your blog? And the worst?
Another great question! The best thing is that it has allowed me to have a flexible, work-from-home-on-my-own-terms lifestyle for almost all of the 19 years. I always wanted to be able to be home as needed for my children, and flexibility is one of my top life values in general. I am so grateful. The worst is easy: all the judgment that comes from sharing your life online. That has ebbed and flowed, but it’s been the biggest source of stress / frustration from blogging.
Think you’ll still be blogging another 19 years?
See below! But the short answer is: probably, but as a phase out.
What’s Next?
When people ask me about my blog, I describe it as a bell curve. I think it peaked around the time when Mazen was born in terms of public interest. But it’s still chugging along with decent traffic, good income via ads and partnerships, and lots of purpose for my life. I have no intention of writing a farewell post, and plan to write through year 20! I do think I’m going to downshift some in the coming years, perhaps publishing posts less often and only writing about topics that really bring me joy, even if that means fewer posts per month. I waffle back and forth between wanting to grow and start new ventures and doubling down on what has worked well for the last 5-10 years and striving for simplicity above all else. I change my mind every week in that sense.
I want to say thank you to all of you, because without you there would be no KERF! I am humbled that you are all still here, and also so very, very thankful.
Anne Weber-Falk says
I’ve enjoyed reading your posts and learning from you over the years. I have been here from nearly the beginning. I like the direction your blog has taken as your life has changed and evolved. I can see you writing more about travel, dietary needs, health and exercise as we age and the kids grow up and find their own independence. I look forward to the future. Thanks for all you’ve brought to us.
Kath Younger says
Thank you Anne! Always love seeing your name pop up.
Chelsea says
Congrats on 19 years!
Kath Younger says
Thanks Chelsea!
Sarah says
I’ve been reading since (almost) day one! Your consistency and detailed posts are why I keep coming back. You are one of the few people that still shares in detail about what you eat – and do – and I love that! Your travel recaps are some of my favorites because you don’t just gloss over the things like many other bloggers / sub stackers that I follow.
I also appreciate seeing how authentically you live your life, and am glad to hear you are enjoying yourself in this new normal!
Kath Younger says
I’m smiling reading this – thank you for the kind words.
Hannah says
Congratulations on 19 years! Truly an amazing accomplishment! I started reading your blog as a homesick college freshman back in 2008. I stumbled upon your blog after loving the Cristin blog her Eat Like Me column in Self Magazine 🙂 I fell in love with all the OG healthy living bloggers at that time. I have truly appreciated your lens and vulnerability all these years. You inspired my own weight loss journey in college and truly helped teach me the value of eating real food. I have also loved watching your life unfold as you’ve navigated chapters a few years ahead of me. I will always keep reading!
Kath Younger says
You are really one of the OGs if you remember Eat Like Me! I wonder if her archive still exists out there?
Kath Younger says
I did find this archive! https://www.self.com/contributor/cristin
Tracy says
I also discovered KERF through Cristin of Eat Like Me! I’ve read every single one of your posts and will keep reading as long as you’re writing! Congrats on 19 years, Kath!
Kath Younger says
Thank you Tracy!! Means so much.
Jenn says
There are so many KERF memories from over the 19 years that I don’t really know where to start but since you raised the commenters….what ever happened to the lady who used to comment first every single day on every post? Charmaine? It’s been fun seeing you evolve over the years. Some of the friendships that have come and gone and the phases (coffee foam pics). Didn’t one of you HLBs tell a fellow HLB about their pregnancy before telling the father? Wild times 🙂
Kath Younger says
Haha those are some good memories! I’m not sure what happened to her, but I know who you’re talking about. I forget about the pregnancy (I told you guys you remember more than I do!) but I’m 90% sure that was true!
Christy says
LOL I remember Charmaine too! Congrats Kath – I’ve been reading for a good 15 years too. You are like an old friend to me. Sending best wishes from the UK!
Anne Weber-Falk says
Wow I forgot about Charmaine. Funny that we remember her and her “first”.
Kath Younger says
Yes, she was always so fast!
Elizabeth says
I’m one of your OG readers and even met you briefly at one of the WordPress events in San Francisco in 2010, back when I had a casual blog. Yours is the only HLB I still read and I appreciate the changes it’s gone though and natural evolution over the years. We’re about the same age so it’s been a fun journey. Here’s to making it to 20 and beyond! Cheers!
Kath Younger says
I’ve loved meeting yall in person! Thanks for still checking in 🙂
lynn says
Ah what memories! KERF was definitely a huge inspiration for “The Actor’s Diet” and thus my blogging life in general. I appreciate you and am so glad you’re still sharing your life with us!
Kath Younger says
Ahh hi Lynn!
Julie says
Happy 19th anniversary!
I’ve been reading your blog for over 14 years! When I was pregnant with my son, I referred to a lot of your posts about Mazen (my son was born in 2013). I still look forward to reading your posts. I especially enjoy your travel posts and day in the life stuff. What a journey you’ve had so far!
Kath Younger says
We learned so much from blogger pregnancies! I did too 🙂
Renee says
An OG reader here! Can’t believe it’s been 19 years. I remember meeting you/having coffee and breakfast with you and Matt back in 2009 in NOLA. Loved attending the healthy living summit in Chicago in 2010 as well! Long live KERF!
Kath Younger says
You showed me your iPhone right?! And I converted?
Renee says
HAHA! Yes!!
Kath Younger says
Life changing coffee date : )
Cathy says
Just want to say CONGRATS on the 19 years. I’m not sure when I started following you, but it was probably close to the first or second year (maybe even the third). I always look forward to reading your posts. I totally understand if you want to cut down on the number of posts and only write about what you really LIKE to write about. Either way, I’m hear for the duration….so keep chugging along Kath! Again, congrats!!
Kath Younger says
Thank you for your loyalty all these years!
Jocelyn says
Gosh I do miss those early days of blogging 2009ish. So many good ones out there. Thanks for hanging so long. Love getting these to my feed still!!
Kath Younger says
The good ole days!
Louise RD says
Congrats on 19 years! I hope you never stop posting as I really enjoy much of what you share with us:-) Appreciate you and your upbeat approach to life. Thank you!! xo
Kath Younger says
Thank you Louise!
Cathy says
Hi Kath, Long term reader here. Congrats on 19 years. I’m looking forward to many more posts in the future. You are such a positive influence!
Kath Younger says
Thank you Cathy <3
coco says
happy anniversary Kath! long time reader and we met in Foodbuzz many years ago once. I agree that I loved that none of us were serious about blogging but did it for fun.
I continued to blog but life has changed so much that the focus stopped being about healthy eating but rather life journaling and found a different crowd of old fashion bloggers.
I hope you find something that gives you the flexibility and you are passion about. Blog world has changed a lot and I admire you sticked to it too.
Kath Younger says
See I love clicking on your blog to put a face to a name! Instagram is sort of like that, but so many people have private accounts it’s still not common. Thank you for reading KERF!
Lorie says
I remember sitting in one of my college Nutrition classes in a computer lab (!) and overhearing a classmate talking about your blog. This would have been 2008-9 I think. I remember being so intrigued by it all, and I’ve been a reader ever since! Even just from the reader side it’s fascinating to think back on those early days of so many HLBs and how fun it was to read about the lives and health focus of so many young women, in similar stages of life to me, all around the country. It was always exciting to hop on the computer (in the early days before smartphones were widespread) and see what everyone was up to in their day, and what everyone was eating. When I think back to various health food trends, so much of it was really popularized through you guys as bloggers!
Congrats on 19 years!
Kath Younger says
Someone should do a documentary on it 🙂 I loved using Feedly to read everyone’s blogs. It’s so much harder to remember to go to a site now!
Whitney Schubarth says
I’ve enjoyed your blog for MANY years and even made a solo day-trip to Charlottesville because of your recommendations way back in 2012 (that math is painful!). I’m still thoroughly obsessed with spicy pecan/pimento cheese and fig jam sandwiches and Great Harvest, though I rarely get to visit them. I just remembered this morning receiving a job-phone call while sitting in a Great Harvest in Vegas with my husband and infant in 2014 that radically changed the direction of our life. It was also your blog that made me realize I could run the Stevenson campus during the time I worked in Towson. Now, as a busy mom of 3, with a slowing metabolism and accumulating aches and pains, your open discussion of your scale moving up and down because you allow yourself to enjoy in moderation has been PARTICULARLY encouraging. Even though I refuse to believe we’re in our 40’s now. All this to say, bits and pieces of your blog have made lasting impressions in many lives and I thank you for that.
Kath Younger says
Thank you so much for the kind words and sharing these memories!!
Kori says
I remember sitting at our kitchen table and firing up my laptop to read your blog. Way before smart phones. I loved the closeness that those early blogging days gave, and I love that it allowed Kaci and I to travel and meet you (and Allie who blogged at that time as well). I will always be so grateful you helped me to start a blog and that you featured a post by me on your blog as well. Happy 19 years!
Kath Younger says
Aww. Thank you for sharing!! Come back again 🙂
Vicki says
Congrats on 19 years! I’m British and have learnt so much about American culture and food from reading your blog. Grits, low country boil, Bald Head Island, Target etc etc. I discovered you when I’d Googled sleep training for my son who turns 15 next month! I’ve loved watching your evolution and every time I want to drop a few lbs…. I re-read your earliest posts! Keep blogging!
Kath Younger says
That is so cool! And thank you!
Alexandria says
Another long time reader chiming in to say thank you for your authenticity! I used to read allll the food blogs and yours is the only one I still look at because you do such a good job of sharing parts of your life vs curated content. Congrats to 19 years and wherever the future takes you!
Kath Younger says
Thank you! I try 🙂
Jamie says
Congrats! When I first started reading this post I thought you were going to write that this is the end…and I’m so glad you didn’t! I have enjoyed your blog for 15+ years. I don’t comment often but rarely miss a post. Thanks for sharing your life with us!
Kath Younger says
Haha sorry for the scare!! More years to come!
Sarah says
Congrats on 19 years! I think I found your blog via Kylie Mitchell of Imma Eat That and have enjoyed reading for many years since. Keep up the good work (as long as the work is good for you).
Kath Younger says
I miss her content so much!!
Angie says
Congrats Kath! I have been around for a while. We met at a Quaker Oats event in Chicago back in the day. I even wrote a blog post about you ha.
Kath Younger says
How full circle 🙂 That was a fun event!!
Leah says
My arteries thank you for inspiring me to eat oats! My doctor literally told me to eat them to lower my LDL. I didn’t think I liked them but I keep coming back to your recipes to try to incorporate them into my diet in different ways, and now I’m a fan. So, thank you!
I used to worry that Charmaine Ng was a legit stalker of yours. Glad to see she found something else to do now! 😉
I appreciate you sticking around the blog world. It’s been nice “growing up” with you.
Best wishes to you for many happy years ahead.
Kath Younger says
Thank you Leah!