Weekly Bear Blog Roundup: 02/02/25 - 02/08/25

02/09/25

I recently made a post about how I stopped reading the Trending page on Bear Blog. This is part of a larger effort to detox from social media, which has since broadened from its original parameters to exclude algorithmic content or feeds based solely on engagement; i.e., I'm trying to be as intentional as possible with the time I spend online.

Since that applies to my time spent browsing Bear Blog, too, I decided to be more exploratory this week and hop around the Recent page in the Discover feed. I found a lot of really cool content I wanted to share so other people can discover these posts and the bloggers¹ behind them.

Here is this week's roundup:

1. I'm joining Neocities by dabi

I've come across dabi's page before and find their blog really quaint and well-organized. I've also been interested in creating a static site of my own. Maybe one day in the future I'll get around to it.

Their site is called Dabi's Web. Give it a visit. There's a really cool sketchbook page.

It's fun seeing what people do with the added flexibility platforms like Neocities provide. I've got a draft I'm working on that goes into how much I love desktop web design with a list of static sites I find particularly inspiring. I love when people have a strong visual language online. It's part of why I've worked so hard at customizing my own blog and even added alternate themes.

2. February Art Newsletter! by cerb

Super cool art post! I especially love the fursona doodle—the contrasting colors and how cerb alternated between them in the linework to establish depth and light/shadow is really well done. The overall color scheme is really pleasing to the eye—and I'm a sucker for rough, textured accent lines.

I really want to get back into making art and posting it. I've had a rough art page for ages but I'm debating whether I should just post my art here. I like the idea of it being separate, but it also feels like a big "thing" to do, whereas dumping doodles on my personal blog is less daunting.

3. It's Always Darkest Before the Dawn by Loney

Really pretty pictures and an even prettier poem they kindly shared. It hit a nerve in me. I've been slowly starting to work with deeper layers of my subconscious, and all the trauma there that covers up my own inner child.

4. Recover to me by Grain of Ink

A really impactful poem/song about how the past haunts and hurts. These lines in particular hit hard for me:

The past will try to call you back
A voice you used to know.
But every grave you’ve left behind
Ain’t a place you have to go.

5. the human behind the blog by starbiit

Came across this intro post and I was immediately taken by their blog theme! She also has a really cute caard.co portal that you should check out! I think I'll be adding it to my aforementioned web design post.

5. 32-Bit Cafe, A Comprehensive Resource for Bloggers and Personal Websites by linkage.lol (AKA louplummer)

A super cool website for web design, website making, etc. I'll definitely be consulting it whenever I get around to making my own static site.

6. Subscribe (RSS) by Sylvia

Sylvia and I have been corresponding since I started blogging. I saw this post in my RSS feed (ironic I guess?) and was inspired to make my own RSS page.

7. [CSS] A Dark Minimalist Theme for Bearblog by 10001 Nightmares Party

This is a super cool theme! I love it. I don't have any use for it at the moment, but I thought it deserved to be shared.

I've been debating whether my writing page should carry the same theme as my blog and art pages, or if I should do something with better readability. If so, I'm tempted to go with this theme.

8. Lonely tree by Steven

I just thought this was a super pretty picture. I love when seemingly bland places generate striking imagery such as this.²

9. Oscar Wilde's quote by biblioteczka

I've recently been going through another "what the fuck am I doing with my life?" crisis,³ so I found this quote at the perfect time. It was surprisingly comforting.

10. Popup Media Library for BearBlog’s Built-in Editor by Flyfish

I was super excited when I saw this! It was something I didn't know I wanted/needed until I saw it. I've since used it on my own dashboard and it works great. I highly, highly recommend giving it a go.

11. removing the comments section here by Nikki

I really like Nikki's write up here. It mirrors some of the same thoughts I mulled over in my post about the Trending page.

12. Click me by pauleychrome

Go on. Click it. You'll be surprised at how long it takes for you to stop.

13. The Resurgence of Retro & The Internet by Nick

This post follows the same line as my own and Nikki's (funny how Nikki and Nick matched up). I felt particularly called out when Nick mentioned playing a 3DS; I've retired my Switch and PC in favor of my hacked New 3DS for the past month or so and it's been great.

14. observation about my to-do lists by pablos

Not sure if it was intentional, but this cheeky little post reads like a poem—I love it! Particularly the last two lines:

Fulfillment is having a glass filled to the brim with water. I can pour more water, or I can opt to have a shorter glass.

I also find the lack of any toast button a bold choice (that I know I would never be able to emulate).

15. A Reflection on My Five-Year Letter by Freya

I found this really touching and made me think about my own life. It's always good to reflect and take stock of things. Whenever I'm frustrated with myself or disappointed, I find that remembering what steps I took to get where I am today helps a lot.

Even if I might not like myself at the moment, I generally think the old me, a younger me, would think I'm super cool.

16. On self-expression when writing online by Hedy

Another very insightful and eloquent post about blogging/writing, which is very much en vogue right now (and I am no exception).

I also like the gentle design of her blog. Very simple and easy on the eyes. The color scheme reminds me of Catppuccin. I'm a Gruvbox guy so I can't be for certain.

17. Animals In The Dark (2009) by Daily Groove Club

Admittedly I haven't listened to this album yet, but I found the concept behind this blog to be super fun. I'm excited to see how much new music I'll find through it.

✘ Posted on — 02/09/25
✘ Last modified — 6 months, 1 week ago
✘ Link — https://blog.xavierhm.com/weekly-bear-blog-roundup-020225-020825

Footnotes

#blog #internet #mental health #roundup #tech #writing