Momma Does Things

There’s something about the early days of blogging and the Internet that is hard to forget. It was not just a platform for sharing random thoughts, it was a space where people could truly be themselves, create without constraints, and connect with others across the globe in a way that felt both personal and distant at the same time. Today, with the Internet being more accessible than ever, every corner of the web is flooded with users. But with that accessibility comes commercialization of the space, making it harder to find the same kind of genuine interactions we had back then. Still, the evolution is natural. After all, nothing stays the same forever—change is the only constant.

The Early Internet: A Space for Discovery and Personal Expression

Back in the late 90s and early 2000s, getting online was a big deal. It was not just as easy as firing up an app or logging onto Wi-Fi. If I recall correctly, our bill was around PHP 2,000 a month for an Internet connection in 1999 (I remember having a net-asia email.), and it was not exactly a luxury you could take for granted. It was as slow as a glacier by today’s standards, yes, but it also meant you were more deliberate about your time online. Now, with data being so widely accessible—even free data for platforms like Facebook and Messenger—it is easy to forget how restricted and costly it used to be. The internet was more like a hidden gem, a space for discovery, where you’d find the quirkiest little corners and create your digital presence.

Personal Creativity on Platforms Like Geocities

Then there was Geocities. If you were around back then, you will remember the thrill of discovering WYSIWYG (What You See Is What You Get) editors. Geocities let you create your own space online, and even if you did not know the first thing about coding, you could still make something that felt like it was truly yours. Some of us went from simply using the editors to coding our own layouts, designing personal websites, and writing about the things we were passionate about. It felt like a creative experiment—a DIY digital scrapbook. There was a sense of pride in customizing every little detail of your page, and it was an entirely different experience from the polished, templated sites we have today.

Webrings and Linkrolls: A Global Community

One of the best things about the early blogging days was the sense of community. Webrings and linkrolls were how we found each other—linking our blogs together in a chain so we could share, visit, and comment. It is funny to think back on how something as simple as exchanging links could lead to real connections, even friendships, with people across the globe. There was no algorithm-pushing content; it was just a bunch of individuals creating their own spaces and discovering others who shared their interests. It was personal in a way that social media cannot seem to replicate today.

The Impersonal Yet Personal Nature of Early Online Interactions

What made it all feel so special was the duality of it. It was personal because we shared parts of ourselves that we did not always share elsewhere—personal thoughts, life updates, and creative projects. But it was also impersonal because, well, these were people you would never meet in real life, at least not right away. Despite the distance, there was this unspoken bond that made online interactions feel genuine. We did not know each other’s real names, yet we trusted each other with pieces of our lives. And that kind of connection? It was something I no longer see as much these days.

Nostalgia and Change

The Internet today is a far cry from what it once was. It is incredible how much has changed, and honestly, it is for the better in many ways. More people have access to information, and platforms like Facebook and Instagram connect us with friends and strangers alike. But with that comes a level of oversaturation where everything feels less personal and more commercial. It is harder to find the space where the creativity and connection we had back in the day could still thrive. But change is natural. And while I am not blind to how the Internet has evolved, I cannot help but feel a little nostalgic for those simpler times.

Looking Back and Moving Forward

One thing I am looking forward to doing is year is bringing some of that early Internet magic back. I want to capture that same creativity and personalization that made blogging in the early 2000s feel so unique. I am not trying to recreate the past, but I want to bring back some of the charm and community aspects that made the Internet such a fun and exciting space. In today’s oversaturated digital world, it is important to carve out your own corner and stay true to your unique voice—and that is exactly what I plan to do. Well, hopefully.

Looking back at the early days of blogging and the Internet, it is clear to me that there was something truly special about it. It was not just a place to post and consume — it was a community, a space for personal expression, and an opportunity to create something meaningful. Even though things have changed, I believe there is room for more of that creativity and connection today. And who knows? Maybe the next generation of bloggers and creators will look back on our time and feel that same sense of nostalgia for what we are doing now.