I recently asked my oldest kid to read a blog post because I wanted her (1) to give permission for me to publish stories about her which I thought others would find helpful, and (2) to verify the accuracy of the overall mood and understanding of what occurred – as some details were altered for privacy reasons. She enjoyed my writing, which was kind of cool to impress my own kid – I’ll share our conversation at the way bottom. Our chat inspired me to find my old writings from the free blog platform Xanga from more than 20 years ago, and to my surprise, they have been archived and stored for free!
How to access old Xanga posts
Here is how to access your old musings:
- First, download the Xanga files by logging in >>>>here<<<<. You probably will have to reset your password. Fortunately, I still use the email associated with the account. I had 3 files to download.
- Next, you sign up for any blog platform and create a name for the blog >>>>here<<<<. I used a free wordpress.com and just named it “old Xanga username + Xanga”.wordpress.com.
- Then you follow the instructions half way down this page >>>>here<<<<. Basically, you scroll down the page paying attention to the left column and click on Import. Import all the files you downloaded from Xanga. I had 3 files.
- Lastly, head over to yourblogname.wordpress.com and enjoy!
Why I was inspired to find my old Xanga
Here is how kid and my conversation went:
- Kid: how did you learn to write like that?
- Me: I’ve been writing since forever! Since middle school.
- Kid: no you haven’t, I only see you writing notes (on the computer for work)
- Me: Yes I have.
- Kid: nah-ah
- Me: wait, lemme show you…
What I found on my old Xanga
Well, my writing was nothing impressive to me, but just interesting to read. They don’t have the images anymore, so I’m not exactly sure what I was referencing when I talked about meese and moose. They were mentioned a lot. I thought Bono waved at my friends and I at graduation since we made such a commotion when we spotted him in the academic attire. And I said boo-ya. Lol. I just practiced and I enjoyed writing – and I’m pretty sure I had other blogs…. just can’t remember the names….
What I think about my writing journey
But whether or paper, or on computer, I remember just always writing. So, to answer my kid’s question, you just get good at something by lots and lots of imperfect practice. And I don’t even think my writing is that good yet. I have so many things I want to write and so many areas I want to improve on. So I guess I can say, I am a writer. And I am a work in progress to be the writing I want to be.
Subscribe to the blog and follow along on Instagram @betamomma as I evolve in this journey. Are you a writer-in-progress, too? I would love to connect!