Scout

Rediscovering a Blog That’s Been With Me for Years

I’ve started a really big organizational project. No, I’m not talking about cleaning out my closet. I’m talking about Arounddustyroads. I’ve had my blog for many years now. It’s grown and hiccuped its way along since around 2011. I honestly don’t remember my very first post, but I do remember being a little scared. Was I really going to share my thoughts and feelings with the big wide world?

Over the years I’ve set it aside for other things, but I always seem to come back to it. Reading older posts is like reminiscing with an old friend — familiar, comforting, and sometimes a little surprising. (“Did I really write that?” Yes. Yes, I did.)

When Your Media Library Turns Into a Digital Attic

Somewhere along the way, my media library turned into a full‑blown archaeological site. I’ve now got over 10,000 photos tucked in there, and finding just the right picture to illustrate a post has turned into a major scroll‑fest. It can take hours. By the time I find the photo I want, I’ve forgotten what the post was even about.

That’s when it hit me: this system is not sustainable. Something had to change.

Learning the Magic of Photo Tagging (A Little Late)

When I first started blogging, I didn’t even know you could tag your pictures. So most of my library is… well… let’s call it “mysterious.” Untagged. Unidentified. A giant pile of “good luck finding anything in here.”

So with help from my AI coach, I finally rolled up my sleeves and started going back through all of these photos and tagging them properly. And let me tell you — this is not a weekend project. This is a year‑long expedition.

Working Backward and Finding Hidden Gems

I’m working backward, starting with the most recent photos while the memories are still fresh. I figure if I’m diligent, I might actually get through the whole thing before the next ice age.

But here’s the surprise: it’s actually kind of satisfying. Every time I finish a page of photos, it feels like I’ve restored a tiny corner of my digital world. I’m rediscovering trips I forgot I took, meals I forgot I cooked, and sunsets I forgot I captured. It’s like flipping through an old scrapbook — only this time, I’m labeling the pages so future‑me doesn’t have to guess what she was looking at.

One Tag at a Time

It’s a big job, but it’s worth it. And when I’m done, finding the perfect photo for a post won’t feel like an archaeological dig. It’ll be quick, easy, and maybe even fun.

Do you tag your photos, or are you sitting on a digital mess of your own? I’d love to hear how you keep your pictures organized — or if you’re braver than I am and just scroll until something looks right.