Yep, the blog is back, baby!!
First questions first: what triggered the name change?
Well, 26 Years and Counting was originally a blog I started over three years ago just so I could learn wordpress. That’s it. There was as much thought put into the name as “I should learn wordpress”. You see, up until that point, I had blogged on Posterous, and LiveJournal. I was on LiveJournal back in the invitation-only days. Yep. I’m that old. And that geeky. It was a HUGE thing when a Harry Potter fandom friend sent me an invitation code.
Only something happened. The blog grew. I found other bloggers. Blogging in the modern sense
I also aged. I turn 30 later this year …and 26 Years and Counting stopped suiting.
Introducing NormalNess
I thought for ages about what to change my blog name to. I think it was about a year from knowing I needed to change my name to picking a name. Then it took me even longer to get the behind the scenes stuff done properly. Thankfully, if you click on any old links it should take you to the post with the new URL. That’s the theory 🙂
Of course, if I was one of those super organised and fancy bloggers, I would probably have a shiny new headshot to go with this post. But I still don’t like being in front of the camera, so that will come one day. Maybe.
Why NormalNess?
Well, I’m normal. To me. We are all normal to ourselves. We all have normal to us. Plus, my name as a suffix is pretty cool. To me. Again, perspective.
Do you have any questions about the rebrand? Have you ever rebranded or considered rebranding yourself?
Great name. I have moved things around since I first started blogging and now very happy with my name as it gives me scope to change the direction.
Sometimes being too specific in the early days doesn’t work out very well. Glad to hear you like where you’re at with names.
I have noticed you around SM with a new name – I like – very catchy! And here’s to converting to WP!
Thanks 🙂 And three years into WP I say I’m sticking with it!
Well done on the rebranding. Naming a blog is so hard. I still toss and turn about whether sticking to my name was the right choice. Time will tell. I am looking to come over to WP too. Little bit nervous but need more choice. Mel xx #IMustConfess
People always say it’s easier to rebrand sooner rather than later but I think you can do it whenever it suits you.
Of course I love the new name! For obvious reasons! Ness does lend itself to all those word play titles like AwesomeNess or Nesstacular, doesn’t it? But for some reason I feel like a wanker calling myself those sort of things, so I stuck with Nessville. I like NormalNess, I couldn’t use it, though. I’m definitely not normal! LOL
So many things could be done with Ness!
Yay Vanessa! Love the name, love the redesign. Everything looks fabulous!
And yes, I have rebranded 🙂 I started out as ‘Miss Corrine’, a title I always DESPISED haha, but used due to the inability (at the time) to think of anything else. I knew it was time to change when men that I was working with started calling me “Miss Corrine” (after they’d read it) and it weirded me out… so I’ve been Frock And Roll since 2008, and it really is an accurate representation of my personality and who I am 🙂
Thanks Corrine! Miss Corrine could sound really creepy in person. It sounds like a good possible costume to a blogger themed Halloween party…
Congrats on the rebrand – the new name is very cool – I love clever plays on names. I also like the clean lines of your them and your new header. Go you!!!
All credit on the header goes to my husband – who I make do all my graphics work. He turns my very vague instructions into actual things haha.
I love the new name of your blog! It’s awesome that you have a name that can be used as a suffix! 😀
I must admit I used to wonder what you’d do when you turned 30…I mean, you would still be on the 26 and counting side but once you hit 30s, it doesn’t have the same ring to it, does it?
I rebranded a year ago because I felt like I’d outgrown my blog. Plus coincidentally, I turned 30 last year. It was such a huge process! I think I’ve stuffed up somewhere though as my google pagerank still shows up as N/A 12 months later. Reckon you could help out?
Oh, and I’ve finally succumbed to hiring someone to redesign my blog…just wasn’t able to get my head around it.
Yeah it wasn’t meant to be a name that stuck, it just sort of stuck haha. I’m not the best with Google, sorry. I’ve literally logged into GA 3 times in my life and have no clue what my PR is! I can ask around and probably get someone to help you though.
Sanch, it’s been over 18 months since my rebrand and I also have a Google Page Rank of n/a. I do remember reading somewhere that it’s not been updated in forever … no kidding!
I love the new name, Vanessa. Suits you to a tee. x
Thanks 🙂 Will I be seeing you at ProBlogger later this week?
Love the new name! I rebranded in January 2014, felt the blog name of “Redland City Living” was too limiting and that people further afield were missing out on my all round awesomeness. Like you, it took a long time to actually find a new name though … but now I’m happy to be the Middle Aged Mama!