May 28, 2018 / Community Pool

Community Pool

Where WordPress bloggers support each other with feedback and advice.

Welcome to the final edition of the Community Pool! Whether you’ve been a regular here for years or just recently discovered the Pool: thank you for making it such a supportive, lively, and collegial place for bloggers of all stripes.

As always, feel free to share links to your latest post for feedback, or ask a question about your site’s design, publishing cadence, or any other blogging-related topic you’re looking for input on. Since this will be the last time the Pool opens its doors, you’re also welcome to chat with others about any community initiatives you’re interested in starting or share links to existing blogging events you’re part of and think others might be interested in as well.

The Community Pool is for peer feedback and advice. Looking for more specific information? Check out some of these resources:

To help us keep the Community Pool a productive space for discussion, here are some tips and guidelines you might find useful:

  • While you’re not required to, we encourage everyone who requests feedback to also reply to at least one or two other bloggers who need some help. Spread the love!
  • The Community Pool comments section can get quite big — and starting duplicate threads doesn’t help. Thanks for not posting the same question more than once, as well as for not starting numerous threads in a single Pool.
  • If you’re looking for quality feedback, be as specific as you can. Questions about a particular post tend to draw more comments than ones about entire blogs. Questions about specific design elements are more likely to be answered than ones asking for general layout advice.
  • We discourage leaving links without a more substantive message or question. These are often overlooked by other bloggers, and we frequently remove them to make the comment reading experience smoother. Also note that including multiple links in your comment might automatically put it in the moderation queue, which will delay its publication.
  • Please keep all comments civil and constructive. The idea is to have fun — it’s a pool, after all!
  • To keep from losing your place in the comment thread while you visit others’ blogs, right-click on a link to open it in a new tab or window.
  • If you haven’t looked at our Commenting Guidelines in a while, now might be a good time.
  • No running on the deck.

Looking for free, self-guided courses to help you get started with your blog (or revive a dormant one)? Check out our current offerings at Blogging U.

Show Comments

1,280 Comments

Comments are closed.

Close Comments

Comments

    2. Hi, I thought this was very informative and well presented. A great site. Unfortunately, I could not find a place to comment. Did you disable this option? Your followers would love to interact with you, it is also a great way to receive support from other bloggers. They can be fully moderated by you, if you want them to be.

      I loved your use of subtitles, split the information up in very easy-to digest chunks, and it is a superb topic to gain a following. There are a lot of people who would benefit from your advice! Great job!

      Liked by 20 people

    7. Interesting article. I did notice that your one link is titled ‘Unwilling the debt spiral’ instead of ‘unwinding the debt spiral.’
      I’d also suggest mentioning a few free of charge organisations that aim to help those really struggling with debt. For example, in the UK we can turn to Citizens Advice for free, impartial help when trying to deal with debt, and creditors chasing payment.
      However, as it is, you’ve written a good piece for those who of us who aren’t really in financial trouble but find ourselves wondering what happened to our bank balance at the end of each month.

      Liked by 14 people

      2. Oh!!
        Thank you so much!! 💃 😄
        I m glad you liked it..
        Sure!! I will check..
        My instagram page is @april_autumn12
        I hope you will get great post there as well.. Enjoy!!
        💫🌸🙂

        Liked by 5 people

    1. I think often it’s worrying about all the things you have to do. I find it helps to put everything on a list (daily, weekly etc.) and then prioritise them (A, B or C). Then at least you KNOW what there is to do, which may be urgent, or just something that’d be nice to do. Sometimes when I’m feeling a bit fazed by it all, I think ‘DO what MUST be done!’ which might be something as simple as having a shower or eating! That gets me going in the right direction.

      Your list of items to destress is really good. Cooking (without pressure) too. I find listening to guided meditations very helpful, and listening to audiobooks too. Mostly non-fiction but fiction too, sometimes. Just learning to quieten the mind is so important.

      Liked by 9 people

      1. Yeah, I agree. While there are most important things to do, there are also non-important ones. Too bad your entire day isn’t 100% productivity. I’m mentioning the creeping distractions that takes up another segment of your time without intending to. That’s part of life though, heh?

        Liked by 5 people

  3. Hello everybody, Simon from To Cut a Short Story Short here with a recent post, one which I posted on the ‘pool previously, but I think worth repeating, as some may have missed it.

    It’s The Optimist Creed by Christian D Larson, which I put into a nice 1st person format (I promise myself to …) and it’s easy to print out. If you’re not familiar with it, it’s an inspiring 12 point meditation, or ‘prayer,’ to keep your thoughts and actions positive. I hope you find it helpful!

    https://simonjwood.wordpress.com/2018/04/09/the-optimist-creed/

    Liked by 23 people

    1. I just saw this is the LAST COMMUNITY POOL. I can’t believe it and think it’s absolutely disgraceful. It’s a brilliant forum that’s helpful to so many people. They didn’t give any notice or even give a reason. Pah!

      Liked by 12 people

    10. Congratulations! I’m also quite into the study of human psychology and behavior. Glad that I’m not the only one who got the fascination by learning about mental illnesses

      Liked by 5 people

  5. Happy (or should I say sad) Monday fellow bloggers! Absolutely can not believe this is the last time we are posting in the community pool, didn’t think this day would come, atleast not this soon.

    Without further ado, I’d like to share my latest post with you all https://ingenuousfantasist.wordpress.com/2018/05/28/twisted/
    As always, looking forward to come across some great blogs and posts, perhaps today more than ever before.

    Hope we can find a similar platform for sharing our content and can continue to support, encourage and motivate each other! 

    Happy blogging and best of luck!

    Liked by 26 people

    2. I also am lamenting the end of the CP! I look forward to posts from those who have become the equivalent of online friends and colleagues. I hope there will be a new platform facilitating connection!

      Liked by 14 people

  6. Most of our understanding on alien life is driven by science fiction rather than science. What are the odds of life existing outside earth? Why haven’t anyone contacted us yet? I have here tried to answer some of those questions briefly. It was important for me to stay clear of UFO sightings, crop circles and other outlandish/mystical ideas and stick to a coles-notes version of what science has to say about it.

    Hope you enjoy it. Any sort of feedback, postive/negative is much appreciated.

    Where is everybody?

    Liked by 30 people

    2. Wow! What a fascinating line of inquiry I would never have contemplated were it not for this post. I’m curious to know, what kind of work do you do in the space industry?

      Liked by 8 people

      1. Thanks for the comment. I am only glad you found something interesting here. As for work I am a satellite application engineer 🙂

        Liked by 4 people

  8. Hello everyone, and welcome to in the last Community Pool post, as the decision is taken to not publish The Daily Post anymore from next month.
    When I began my blog in WordPress last year, it started with a simple hello but now its ending with a complicated goodbye. Thanks WP for all the- challenges, daily prompts and weekly posts to meet and interact with new bloggers, and finally some awesome memories.
    In the end I just want to say – This is the beginning of anything you want.
    So guys, it’s not the end, it’s the beginning of something new and exciting, and now let’s interact with all the bloggers of the last Pool.

    Cheers friends, and farewell.  ❤ ❤

    https://finallyunchained.blog/

    Liked by 32 people

      3. We all need a new place to meet and greet and swim freely 🙂 Many thanks to Novus Lectio. Great gal, well wroth gettting to know, if you get the chance and haven’t already 🙂

        Liked by 4 people

  9. Hi fellow bloggers!

    Thank you to everyone who takes the time to read this post—very much appreciated, and your thoughts extremely valuable.

    My posts are chronological, so I have linked the very first one below, but there are lots more entries to the story, if you are interested 🙂

    Looking forward to reading some of the links posted here and providing what I hope will be useful feedback for your posts.

    https://thisdoorisalarmed.wordpress.com/2018/02/03/the-truth-is-out

    Liked by 22 people

    1. I just had a peek at your wonderful post…I tried to leave a comment and I’m not sure if it went through…I loved your description of the stumps and branches from the forest you hiked through reminding you of an elephant’s graveyard…I often come across these tangles in Stanley Park and will think of them differently now!

      Liked by 6 people

      1. Oooh thank you!

        I don’t think your comment came through, but thank you so much for trying! You must live close by if you spend time in Stanley Park, so you could totally explore this trail! 😀

        Liked by 6 people

  12. Hi,
    This piece of boulder which looks like it defies the laws of physics, is not just amazing to see but is also a metaphor for life…. Being as solid as a rock and yet maintaining a balance. Please do read about it and let me know what you think.

    The Balancing Rock

    Liked by 15 people

  14. Hey everyone!

    It’s really sad to know that this is the last time we’ll be able to meet each other on this platform. Didn’t think it would be this soon.

    And so, I’m diving in one last time by sharing the link to my blog which has a mix of creative writing and some scientific (Behavioural and Physical sciences) posts. Hope you like ’em.

    https://soumitra97.wordpress.com

    Let’s make the best of this last chance! 🙂

    Liked by 19 people

  15. Hi all,

    First of all, I should say I will be really sad to see this go. It’s such a useful tool to the community of bloggers here, but all good things come to an end I guess.

    This final post from me takes us to a beautiful hotel in the heart of Wales, with equally beautiful views.

    https://shootfromthetrip.com/2018/05/28/lake-vyrnwy-hotel-spa/

    I hope you all enjoy, and as usual, any feedback is appreciated.

    Thanks, Dylan.

    Liked by 20 people

  16. I’ve only started last week. It’s a personal blog where I write posts to motivate myself and others, and also other stuff. My latest post is about ceremonies (what I like about them). Please check it out. Constructive criticism is always welcome. Also check out my other posts if you want.

    The Main Attraction

    Liked by 19 people

    1. I took a quick look at your site… (love the tasty items) I’m definitely using a few a sharing. Consider yourself followed. To answer your question, your baking section is listen in a story-type format. 1. I’m not sure what template you’re using, but try changing to to masonry format for a better display of the images of recipes. 2. Also, don’t give the full post on the baking page. Just have a summary there, title, date, etc, plus the image. That’s it. You can use my site as an example. It gives your page a more robust feel and shows anyone who clicks on “baking” how much you’ve invested into baking (instead of them scrolling and scrolling and scrolling down the page). Masonry is also good for mobile. Hopefully that helps a bit.

      Liked by 5 people

    3. I’m not sure if this is the type of advice you are looking for, but I love hearing the backstory of a recipe, passed down though the family, first occasion you made it… anyway, the bread looks delicious regardless!

      Liked by 3 people

    4. My blog started as mainly a recipe sharing blog but I’ve now diversified a bit. Anyhow early on I found this link for using shortcodes to but a recipe within a post so that it can be easily printed out so this is what I use to put my recipes into a post – https://wordpress.com/support/recipes/
      I also start with a story about the recipe similar to what you have done.
      Also be careful with sharing other peoples recipes as recipes are subject to copyright particularly if from a recipe book or someone else’s blog. Hope this helps.

      Liked by 4 people

  19. Hi,
    There are two sides of me. The confident, driven, optimistic side and the nervous, introverted, shy and anxious side. There are very few people who get to see my both sides and even fewer who recognize it. I had written this poem at point in my life in response to someone close to me saying “you won’t understand”. Would love to know what you guys think about it.

    This Is Me

    Liked by 16 people

  20. Hello! Do you want some slightly sad poetry, a happy and upbeat rhyme, or a few words to help you along your day? Welcome to my little blog with all of the above.
    Check out my latest post and whatever else suits your fancy: https://musingsofaminorsmind.wordpress.com
    Feedback is always appreciated. Thank you and have a lovely day!

    Liked by 23 people

  24. Wow, the last Community Pool! I’ll miss this for sure! Thanks for all the good swims; I found some cool blogs through this over the years.
    With this being our last swim and all, I figured I’d open my blog up to any and all critiques and criticisms and suggestions you may have for me. How can I be better?
    http://www.coolbeans4.wordpress.com/
    I look forward to checking out your blogs and offering up any feedback I have too.
    Happy Blogging!

    Liked by 19 people

  27. ​Hello folks!

    Is it possible that hope is a cruel master? When one is tied by one’s own will and memory from seeking a new life, would not cynicism sound ever sweeter?

    Here’s something I’ve written: https://lampteacupoverthinking.wordpress.com/2018/05/28/they-wait-beneath-their-willow-tree/

    Thank you for everything. My time spent with all of you here will forever be a cherished memory. [For one last time-]

    Do leave a comment or drop a message. I’d love to hear from you, wonderful person! And please do let’s keep in touch; I love you guys :’).

    Love always,

    Liked by 15 people

  28. The engagement rate in Community Pool has considerably dropped over the months. The concept of self promotion has give rise to more self-centered approach and lesser encouragement towards fellow bloggers.
    Lets break this cycle by engaging effectively and I would love to do that for you.
    I write about life experiences, relations and my encounter with a tyrant such as Tuberculosis.

    The Twisted Sub-tales- Life with Tuberculosis

    Drop your links in comments and i will get back to you.

    Liked by 14 people

  29. It is so very tough to find words at this time to say what I feel about the fact that they “Community Pool” won’t be here every Monday anymore; But in all honesty, the Community Pool has helped me find all-new blogging friends while also helping me make my blog grow in ways that I just cannot imagine. So it is with that as this happens to be the final Community Pool post in the history of WordPress, I would just like to say from the bottom of my heart: Thank you so very much for helping me become the blogger in which I am today, and most importantly, thank you for being such very good friends to me, I just cannot thank you guys enough, and that’s an ever-so-lovin’ fact. And now, as this being the very last Community Post, I would just like to announce this for the very last time: Please, please, please, please visit my blog at http://www.j2w7.wordpress.com! Thank you all so very much, and farewell, with love-JW

    Liked by 17 people

  30. Wow, it’s the last Community Pool! All this time, this space has been helping us discover new bloggers and get the word out there about our new posts to get valuable feedback – we will all miss that. Thank you to WP for building such a supportive community, I’m sure you guys will find a million awesome ways to engage bloggers in the future! Definitely looking forward to your new ideas.

    And I guess for the last time, I’d like to share a fresh blog post about a simple morning routine that can help you make your days more joyful and life more meaningful. Check it out! https://yourbeautifuljourney.wordpress.com/2018/05/28/make-today-count/

    Best of luck to all bloggers out there, and let’s meet in the next WP community interaction space!

    Liked by 22 people

    1. It’s sad to see the WP community pool sink, but I hope it doesn’t stop us from trying to connect with other bloggers. I really liked your post and left a comment. Let’s keep the interaction going!

      Liked by 5 people

      1. Sure! And I like your blog idea a lot – “I am passionate about helping others do what I have done by sharing my successes and struggles.” really sounds like a great mission statement!

        Liked by 1 person