An update on 2023: where've I been?

Hello!

Some of you by now have, I’m sure, noticed that Ireland and the Age of Revolutions has fallen rather silent. I started a new job not too long ago and have been busy settling into a new routine and decided to put this on the back burner.

Similarly, I found myself feeling frustrated and burnt out chasing deadlines - which I set for myself mind you, but regardless I decided a break was needed. I still wanted to write one last post to provide an update of sorts as 2023 draws to a close and we move into a new year.

It has been near two months since I’ve posted and I’ve not put out a detailed study since late October. This certainly marks the longest I’ve gone without being active on here and it feels weird but also refreshing. I had entered into a space where I was putting pressure on myself to maintain a strict scheduling of posts as a matter of principle. I think forcing myself to take a break has allowed me to break free of that mindset and get back into a place of enjoying the research and writing. As I also mentioned, I’ve moved into a new job - still working as a librarian but in a new setting, and I’m just now feeling settled there and in a better space to devote some extra time to my writing and hobbies again. My aim is to start posting regularly again by late January.

A data map of the AoR Ireland community.

This past year has been a great one for the blog - growth has continued to consistently move in the right direction, in January we hit the milestone of 100 subscribers and July marked 150. If the trend continues, we should hit 200 by this coming January also, all things going well. I’ve never been one to make this about numbers, I’m simply happy that people follow along and enjoy my work enough to continue reading. That being said, there are currently 192 of you from across the world currently subscribed - from North and South America, Australia and New Zealand, Pakistan and India and many more from across Europe.

I would love if you could leave a comment or sent me a mail telling me which of this years posts was your favourite, or which one you learned the most from! And as always, share it wide to anyone you think might enjoy it too.

I just want to again thank you all for being here!

Ruairí.