Are you clapping? I’m clapping! And not just because now I get to take a very long nap.
What’s New
Before we get into how and why all this happened, let’s talk about what’s new. This Fish Features is new! More service-y topics from friends and friendly strangers, from book reports (and a new book club! We’re reading Pretty Little Liars next month. Get some!) to financial junk to recipes and more. The Ad Policy and Doing Good Policy are also new. In summary, I promise not to compromise the blog’s design or content for ads and I promise to contribute a portion of the profits from ads and donations to charity. The design is new, too. Duh, right? And that’s where we get into The People I Need to Thank.
The People I need to Thank
Maura from The Paper Guppy, who so generously donated her services to design and print custom wedding invitations, is also the woman behind the new banner up there. I absolutely adore it. I said something about as specific as, “I wanna keep the fish on the bike, but, you know, more grown-up. Ish.” Et, voila. She got it exactly. Did I mention I adore it? Because I do. I also want to thank my awesome friends who’ve contributed to This Fish Features. You’re the best.
How and Why All This Happened
Okay, it goes a little something like this: after almost six years of working with iVillage, the blog was put through yet another redesign I had no say in, adding yet more aggressive advertising that made it hard, if not impossible, for you to read and comment. You shouldn’t have to close an ad just to read the site. You deserve better than that. I mean, what’s the point if not conversation? The new “design” also completely stripped the blog of the brand I’d been building for years. I deserve better than that. This isn’t a news source. It’s a personal blog. And when you remove the person… Well, I suppose it could have worked out differently, but it because pretty apparent that after all this time, anyone who understood who I was and what I was doing for iVillage was long, long gone. That was most obvious when the email came asking me to properly capitalize my headlines (and could they please be punchier?) and to conform with iVillage style. I wasn’t supposed to conform with iVillage. I thought that was the point. It shouldn’t have surprised me that no one actually cared when I quit. In fact, my resignation went largely ignored; when I called to confirm receipt of my email, I got “kaythanksbye” and the line went silent. If I had any doubts about my decision, they quickly dissipated.
I want to say it was a difficult decision – knowing how desperately we needed the income to pay for the upcoming Fish & Dork Lord Nuptials – but it was easy. Yeah, I called my mom for some practical advice – hoping she’d talk me out of it – but she reminded me of the time I quit a job on principle, without another one to fall back on. I remember being the girl who did what felt right, and who trusted in the Universe to take care of her. I liked her. And I don’t want to be the kind of person who does things out of desperation – someone who doesn’t have choices. So, I chose. I quit 24 hours later.
You deserve better. I deserve better.
A Few Important Items
- Comments are moderated. They don’t get published ’til I publish ‘em. Comments from nasty trolls probably won’t get published at all. Because I don’t have to!
- The site’s not perfect. We’ll be working on it a little at a time. Including uploading and formatting the old entries.
- Once there are ads on the site, I’m not allowed to encourage you to click on them. So, you know.
- Thank you, as always, for sticking with me. I appreciate that more than you know. And I look forward to the conversation.
Welcome back, Heather!!!
Love the new site! Glad you made the move!!
Enhorabuena, Heather!
2 thumbs up! Great decision and I love that I don’t have to close a million ads!
ditto! glad to see you on the feedreader again
Lovely layout & color scheme. Shall be donating $ this week!
Absolutely love it! So glad you’re back…I was actually counting down the days.
Woohoo!!! Congrats for taking a stand.
This looks far better
Many Congrats Heather! Looking forward to more and more from you. Happy New Year!
Congrats! Looking forward to all the new posts on the new site. Looks terrific so far!
The new website is BEAUTIFUL! I just spent a few minutes looking around and I don’t want to leave! I love the new additions and am so glad that you’re back.
I love it! And I’m so glad that you did what felt right! That’s what makes you the Fish that we all love! Congrats! Bravo! Wow, I just thought back….I’ve been reading for about 5 years, so I think a “Thank you for being so awesome!” is also in order.
Congrats and thanks!
I’m just glad you’re back and excited to read all your shiny new words!
Woohoo!!
You seriously were with iVillage for SIX YEARS? I know I started reading you before you were with them, so it kind of blows my mind that it’s been so long.
Anyway, congratulations!
Hi Heather, I’ve been reading your blog for a couple years ago and was with you in not being happy with the redesign. I love the new site and look forward to reading more of what’s going on with you.
Thanks for writing!
Those iVillage folks were fools to let you go, but I’m happy they did. The new blog is lovely!
Oh thank God, I’m so glad you’re back in true Fish form!
Holy crap I’m glad you (YOU!) are back and not on evil-lage anymore, I can’t wait to see what you do here.
I plan to swear a lot. But that’s as far as I’ve gotten.
Welcome back! I love the new design – it’s refreshingly simple. Congratulations!
I LOVE it! Welcome back to the blogiverse!
Welcome home, my dear. For what it’s worth, I think you made the right decision. I think your instincts have always led you in the right direction and this time’s no exception.
On another note, I went to my first Bikram yoga class this morning, inspired in part by you. I felt horrible earlier, but am recovering nicely. I’ll stop feeling horrible afterward eventually, right?
OHMYGOSHTHISFISHISBACK!!! Ever since you announced you would be launching to new blog on 1/4 I have been counting down… so happy that the original Fish is back! After years and years and years of reading your blog, I’ve been experiencing some serious withdrawals… welcome back, Fish. Love the new design.
Yay Fish (Heather)! Glad you are back and on your own terms!
Awesome. I’m so happy for you – the space looks great, and it will be so much better.
YES! I am so happy 1) for the backstory, after wondering for weeks where your blog went; 2) the new branding/look; 3) your continuing journey as a relationship/dating blogger.
Coming from someone who also started as a “single-something” writer, and who has been reading along with you LONG, LONG ago, I love following how your life has changed — as has mine!
AND… YAY! I can add you back to my Google Reader, so as to NEVER miss a post.
i LOVE LOVE LOVE it….
I’ve been reading your blog since the begining (which makes me realize that I have been at my current job -where I make my day more enjoyable by reading your blog- longer than that, which in turn, makes me want to bang my head against my desk and start drinking from a flask hidden in my desk drawer but not necessarily in that order)
Absolutely fantastic! I’m so pleased my eyes aren’t being assaulted right off the get anymore.
Good riddance.
Long-time reader just de-lurking to say the new (old) site looks wonderful! I am excited for what’s to come
I agree with everyone else. I have been waiting for 1/4 to roll around so I could check you out over here instead of that other site we will no longer mention. You’re website in my “Favorites” toolbar has official been changed!
I’ve been an avid reader for almost 4 years and I just wanted to say that I absolutely love the new design! I am looking forward to everything Fish! Thank you for having the courage to listen to your principle! I’m looking forward to payday so I can donate!
wonderful, wonderful! so glad you’re back, and loving all the new features.
Hurrah! This is wonderful. Thank you so much. I look forward to all the reading ahead. And the conversation!
Love the new site! WordPress is awesome. I love it as well. Looking forward to continue reading.
I am so excited for this! I hope your faithful readers (and new ones!) can help the loss of income
It’s so nice to see you on your own!
SUPER YAY!
Its so pretty!!!! And I have already put my request in at my library for Pretty Little Liars! WOOO-HOOOO
Welcome back. Love the new site design. So glad you did what felt right for you.
Pretty and clean design- love it too! As I scroll and click I realise just how ridiculous most site designs and ad placements have gotten – not just at iVillage but everywhere. Back to slowfood and fast easy reads!
Kudos to you for making the leap!
Wooo!! I never comment usually, but I felt compelled to because I’m just so happy this all worked out and your over here now! I’ve been reading your blog for so long, I think my relationship with you is longer than my relationship with my husband! lol.
Love, love, LOVE the new site!! So glad you’re back!!
Congratulations – the site looks fantastic and I am happy you are back blogging for 2011!
Welcome back and congratulations on the relaunch of your blog. I have been reading your blog since 2005 and I always look forward to new entries. I admire the courage it took to leave a steady income at iVillage and start off on your own for the sake of your readers. The site is lovely, and I pledge to do my part and click on some ads everytime I stop by.
Also, I love that you get to moderate comments now! I never understood all the negative remarks from crabby people…I love the honesty and beauty with which you write. The way I see it is if someone doesn’t like what you have to say, well then, they can quit reading.
Your site looks great, Heather! I’m so glad your back! Yay!!!!
Fish Triumph! So glad to see you again. Hope you were able to successfully pull your archives and know to back them up!
Great to see you back somewhere which is ‘yours’ again – well done on taking a stand and hope that this is the start of an awesome year for you!
Yay!!!! So happy that you are done with iVillage!
Congratulations! Nice to see you back. Since 2002, eh? What a ride.
Glad you’re back! It looks great and I am loving this chime-free zone.
Love the new site! And SO glad you are in charge here!!!!!
Love it Heather!! Reading your blog feels.. personal again:)
oh Yay! glad to see you back, and love the new page… still gotta check out the new parts… love the tip jar, that is soo cute and convenient!
Congrats on the new blog site. The last one was impossible to read post re-design. Can you talk more about how you chose principle over money – I think it’s something a lot of people struggle with and I’d love to know if there’s a pro/con legal pad etc. It’s hard to do the right thing when you need the money – hope the universe rewards you!
Welcome back! You were missed and I absolutely love, love, love the new look! I have a feeling this is going to be a great year!
Congrats! So awesome that your site is finally up and running. Now I can follow you while mobile once again (I was missing that). I’m also very happy that you haven’t quit blogging and admire how you stand up for what’s right instead of settling. I’ve been following your blog since 2004 or 2005 and have never been disappointed by any of your posts. I’ve been a silent reader for the most part, but in my heart was very much a participant. Way to go!
Hooray! Looks great!
Congratulations!!! Loving the site, yay! design and colors!! Been a silent reader since 2005 and am so happy for you making this big but wonderful change. Many thanks for all your wonderful posts!
Glad you are back and congrats on the new gig. It’s great you are in contol, can’t wait to see what you do with it.
Very excited for you! It looks like 2011 is going to be The Year of the Fish…
It’s pretty!
Also, thanks for continuing to share your awesomeness despite the craziness you had to go through to do so. It took an army of hot Englishness on TV (thank you BBCA!) to keep me happy until your re-launch.
Many congrats on the new website! I think we need a “Fish is Awesome!” banner somewhere. It’s great that you stood up to Ivillage…for what it’s worth, I found that site and your blog about the same time, but I only read yours now
Keep up the phenomenal work!
Woohoo – congrats! (And good riddance to iVillage!)
Congrats on the change. I’m sure you will be much happier. I’ve been looking forward to seeing your blog again.
Yaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaay!!!! But, I’m with Amy, where the heck did 6 years go? I was with you pre-travel blog, has that been more than 6? Oh-boy. Glad to see you up and running on your own! I hope the transition is financially even and stress-free.
Woo hoo! Love the new design and SO glad you are iVillage free!! Serious long time reader who is now adding this back to my favorites
Congratulations Fish! All the best with your new endeavour. I have been enjoying your writing for some time now and I look forward to reading more. Wish you best of luck!
Hi, Love it HEAPS..
Questions – Archives. I look and there is only December 2010 and January 2011… Are all of your older entries lost to us from here on in
BTW Did I meantion that I love the new format and no aggressive advertising WOOT.
Here is to marrying our Dorks in 2011 and going to Italy for our Honeymoons.
Like I said, we still need time to upload and format all the old entries. Soon, my pretty
Beautiful! Welcome back!!
I looked for you yesterday, but I kept getting iVillage – so, I waited! It was worth the wait – and I am so glad that you are back in the driver’s seat.
Absolutely love it!! Welcome back well worth the wait.
I’ve been reading your blog for quite some time and while I often send you a good thought or nod my head to something you’ve written, I’ve never been compelled to comment. Until now, when all I can say is THANK GOD you ditched iVillage. Congratulations on following your principles and thank you for continuing to let us share your world a little bit.
I’m so glad you have your old blog brand back, as well as the gumption to stand up for what is right. Added bonus? The link to your blog on my blogroll now works again (it stopped after iVillage made their latest change). Woot! Hopefully, you get more traffic and more moula from your ads here and when the wedding rolls around, you’re all, iVillage WHO? I was one of your original readers (from before iVillage), so don’t think we all scattered to the wind!
I am so proud of you! Getting out from under a situation like iVillage can be so scary and daunting but you have done absolutely the right thing. I love the features page too! Thanks for reminding me to stick up for my values, even at the cost of money, security, or even just routine. You’re the best!
So, so glad you’re back. Been w/ you since 2002ish and can’t wait to see what you’ll do here.
I must have done something right. Never ever let someone else take an inch of your spirit. People have died for your chance to be a free thinker. I knew a few and they would be first to say good work on raising that girl. Love ya voldman
Congrats!! And good luck
So happy for you, Heather!
If you’ve been blogging for six years, I’ve been reading your blog for about five years and I’m happy you’re out of iVillage’s grasp. Can’t wait to see what you have in store for this site!
It’s so funny becuase I was thinking how awful the advertising had gotten on iVillage when I read your last post about taking a break for the holidays and the redesign. Then, when I came to look for you last week I realized that you’d moved, and BOY IS THIS BETTER. Can’t wait to visit you on your very own domain again and again. I know you’re uploading archives, but can you prioritize the ones that used to be your ‘favorites’ (’cause I could read them again and again), and the one about how to buy a car? That was great advice, and I have a friend who is about to need it!
Thanks, and welcome back!
Leah, you’re in luck! The ‘single gal’s guide to car buying’ post is up on This Fish Features. It’s not perfect – I still have to recreate the images that go with it. But the info is there.
http://thisfish.com/features/?p=12
As if you need any validation, but here goes.
I’d been reading along for years, even after you moved to iVillage. But then iVillage started to make it harder and harder, and I drifted away.
Today I was watching ‘Alice’, and Caterina Scorsone made me think of you, so I thought I would pop in and catch up, and whoa!
It’s good to see you’re ‘back’.