Good Morning To Everyone Except WordPress, My Frenemy

/ Ally Bean

Et tu, Brute? 🤓

Entirely against my wishes in one of the most difficult years of my life, WordPress, my now former friend, has stabbed me in the back by stealing my favorite classic editor. This is no way for a friend to act.

Here’s the dealio. One week after sending me the annual renewal bill for this personal blog, WordPress has dumped their new unwanted editing system on my account. They call it the block editor; I think of it as the blockhead system.

I don’t want this new editor, nor do I need this change. I’m already living in a daily state of confusion and angst without this added burden in my life. This begs the question: would a true friend make my life more difficult during a pandemic? Just so they could get their jollies at my expense?

I’d say ‘NO.’ However as of yesterday I’m being forced to learn a new way to write + edit my blog posts, showing me how little I mean to WordPress. Not that I’m surprised, mind you. I know I am, we all are, pawns in WordPress’s game.

BUT it does bring home the fact that social media companies, all of them, do not have our best interests at heart. They manipulate us into communicating in ways that primarily serve their purposes, not our own.

Will I continue to write a blog in a system that makes more work for me? Truthfully, I dunno. I don’t have to keep a blog, I do it for fun– and let me clue you in, learning a new editing system is the opposite of fun for me.

I’ve no doubt that I can learn how to use this blockhead editor, but I resent having to do so this year because, as we all have learned in 2020, life is too short and precious for stressful sh!t that detracts from living happy and healthy.

Not cool, WordPress. Not cool. 🤨

[At this point I’d like to add an image to this post but I don’t know how to do so. That sentence makes me sad… sadder, I suppose. Also, I have some posts written ahead but I don’t know how to publish them now that I’m in block editor hell.]

241 thoughts on “Good Morning To Everyone Except WordPress, My Frenemy”

  2. I feel your pain ABean. I have no time to learn this new format. Over the weekend, I struggled to prepare a brief post. I’m considering sharing my posts in my newsletter rather than deal with WP taking control.

    Liked by 8 people

    • Jill, I hear ‘ya. I started writing this simple little post yesterday morning, then worked on it yesterday afternoon, then revised it early this morning. So much work– and I still didn’t get to communicate in the way I wanted to.

      Like

  4. You can still use the Classic editor. I am, with both my blogs, and it doesn’t require using the ‘Classic’ block, although that works just fine. It may change eventually, but the option still is there (at least for me — old themes may not support it). If nothing else, you can choose the Classic block, and once you’ve figured out which buttons hide various functions, it works like the older editor.

    There’s a way to ensure that revisions of older posts or scheduled posts happen in the former Classic editor, too. Be of good cheer! I’ve got to get to work now, but if you haven’t figured it out by tonight, I can send some tips.

    Liked by 7 people

  5. Ok, here you go, a work around. If you go to administrator, all posts, at the top there is an add new with a menu arrow. You are given the choice of block or classic. Click on classic. Now bookmark it to make it easier to get to. That has been working for me for 3 days now but I don’t know how long it will last. It’s cumbersome to get to without the bookmark which is the intent. My old bookmark stopped working last week. I’m sure we’ll get there but I have trouble with photos too. Can’t put them where I want them. They all clump together. I keep thinking I should look for a tutorial but…so not interested.

    Liked by 7 people

  6. Funny and not so funny, Ally, I just finished a communication with WP on another issue. Too complicated to explain here.

    I did use the Block Editor in my last post. Doable, yet, I have less control on how I like to configure my posts and especially my photos. I am aware we can toggle back and forth between Editors. Or, I can play more with Canva. I will make it work, like I do everything in life. Do I like it? We shall see.

    I look forward to seeing you Ally. You are one of the people who make me smile. Hang in there. 🙂

    Liked by 4 people

    • Erica/Erika, your attitude is the same as mine about this forced switch. I am adaptable and can make a go of the blockhead editor, but I can find no reason for why I’m being required to do it. From what I can tell thus far, this new system has no use for photos or personal style. That does not please me.

      Liked by 2 people

  7. I admit, and you may hate me, I haven’t had any issues with the new block editor except a slight issue making a red A in my post this morning. But, I’m also a simpleton and my blog is very simple

    Liked by 4 people

    • LA, I imagine that you’ve nailed the block editor because of the simple format of your blog posts, which I like btw. However, I do lots of colors and images and links, which are going to be much more time-consuming in the future. I like your approach, but over the last 10 years I’ve created a look here and want to keep on doing that. It makes me happy to make my posts pretty!

      Liked by 1 person

  9. Sounds like what those of us using Bloggers went through this summer, with them changing the platform. Growing pains, like you said, when we already have so much stuff to deal with in 2020 are HARD!

    Liked by 4 people

  10. I hate it. I hate that they foisted it on us. My work around is blogging from my phone. The mobile app makes it much easier to flip to classic. One click and I’m back to the good ole don’t have to think about it days. If that changes you’ll hear me scream from there.

    Liked by 4 people

    • Rivergirl, yes, yes! I resent this situation which does me/us no good, but I’m guessing benefits WP is some way. IF this change had been framed in a way that suggested how it would benefit me, I’d be onboard. BUT as it is, it seems underhanded.

      Liked by 1 person

      • If they want new and improved, fine. But leave us classic lovers the option to remain traditional. I hate adding the classic block in my pc. Sometimes it’s there, sometimes it’s not.

        Liked by 3 people

  11. I was considering throwing in the towel, too. But abandoning my blog would be hard – it’s become my social connection to the larger world – and I live a pretty isolated existence. I’m always here for commiseration if you need me. Blockhead sucks.

    Liked by 4 people

    • Eilene, I’m in a similar situation. I like writing my blog and talking with people because of it, so I’ll probably continue here. But this change could have been handled better. And I am so tired of change this year.

      Liked by 1 person

      • I do feel for you – and me, too. There was no good reason to force this change on anyone. As another blogger suggested, perhaps even a small fee to support the availability of the old editor would have been nice to offer. It’s just completely uncaring how it’s being done.

        Liked by 2 people

        • Yes it is. Well said. It really makes me wonder though, who runs this company’s PR/marketing department? Have they not heard of the concept of transparency? Listening to your customers? Apparently not.

          Liked by 1 person

          • As I was showering just now, a line from a Crowded House song popped into my head that I will appropriate here: “…and I will catch the WordPress blogger weeping like a wounded beast.” (Actually, I don’t think wounded beasts weep – that’s Neil Finn’s poetic license at work – but I am imagining weeping bloggers everywhere.)

            A couple months ago, WP nullified my footnotes shortcut. Now to recreate what I had requires a bunch of HTML tinkering – total pain. I may just have to do something different.

            Liked by 1 person

            • Eilene, yes we are a bunch of weeping bloggers now. And isn’t that just peachy- NOT.

              I used to be able to use an asterick/astericks to create footnotes but that feature ended years ago. I figured it had to do with my older template.

              Liked by 1 person

    • L. Marie, it seems like a ‘kick ’em when they’re down’ move on the part of WP. I’ve wondered if this is a way to reduce the number of personal bloggers, so that WP can focus on business accounts where [presumably] they make their money?

      Like

  13. My biggest gripe is that it is now time consuming. I use the Classic editor in the WP-Admin dashboard for that very reason. I can use the block editor, but I choose not to. It is not intuitive, the screens are frustrating and not at all designed for a writer.

    Liked by 4 people

    • Yes, Maggie, yes. I’m a writer first and this is not how I put ideas down on paper. I don’t keep hiding my previous thought with a second piece of paper like that floating rectangle of editing options. I want to see and write the whole page, then I’ll get into adding bold, italics, links, whatever. This editing system is messy, not helpful.

      Liked by 1 person

  14. According to the email they sent me, you can choose the classic editor in wp admin, you don’t have to use the classic block – although the link they sent me calls the classic editor the classic block. I haven’t looked at the new stuff yet.

    In case you want to read about it and can’t find the link: https://wordpress.com/support/wordpress-editor/blocks/classic-block/

    Just remember, change is hard and frequently annoying, but can end up being good. I’ve fought every change they make and still edit in html.

    Liked by 4 people

    • Zazzy, I got the same email. I’ve been getting to the original classic editor via WP administration but as of yesterday it wasn’t there, replaced with classic editor blocks. Similar to what I like, but not the same thing.

      I have yet to find the html page within this new blockhead system. I hope it is there. I still occasionally like to tweak a post in the html department. It reminds me of my early days as a newbie blogger.

      Liked by 2 people

  15. I’m one of those weirdos that adopted the block editor early on, and I really like it. I think that might make a difference. I mean, I knew I had to move to this one eventually, but I CHOSE when to make the switch, well over a year ago. I love being able to move the blocks around as I am writing and editing. I write my posts directly into WordPress. That might also make a difference.

    Deb

    Liked by 4 people

  16. No one wants things foisted onto them without choice. I still use the back way into the old classic version, or at least I did the last time I attempted to post something. WP has probably red flagged me and likely taken that option right off the table when I attempt another post. I am not a fan of being controlled by social media of any kind.

    Liked by 5 people

    • Deb, you said it: I am not a fan of being controlled by social media of any kind. I feel the same way. I’ll play your game WP, but don’t pawn me.

      The change to my editing system was just there yesterday morning, btw. No notice given.

      Liked by 1 person

  17. I agree 100%. Just another disappointment in this crazy year. I would be even madder if, like you, I paid for WP. As it is I’m using the free version so I don’t feel I can complain too loudly. I did notice last night after I published my post that the picture I had on my side bar describing my Etsy shop is no longer there. Now I’ll have to figure out how to fix that. I’m glad you’re not giving up!

    Liked by 5 people

    • Janet, you’re right that this is a disappointment. One that has hit me harder this year than it would normally. I wonder where you side bar picture went? I did a quick check and all of mine are here. So far. If it’s not one thing, it’s another anymore…

      Liked by 1 person

    • Marian, my hope is that you’ll find everything just as you left it when you check into your blog today. I was dismayed to find what I did on Monday, but today I’m more resigned to my blockhead editing fate. Still I think I’ll mutter about it for a good long while. 😉

      Liked by 1 person

      • There really isn’t any to the majority of bloggers. Makes me wonder if they plan on telling all of us to find someplace else to put our blogs. On the other hand, Blogger has done the same thing, and Blogger folks are echoing many of the same sentiments about their platform.

        Liked by 3 people

        • I wonder the exact same thing. I see it as a way to separate the wheat from the chaff, leaving only the most dedicated personal bloggers here while the less committed bloggers give up entirely. Time will tell.

          Liked by 2 people

        • Blogger hasn’t gone quite this far. It’s not moved to a block text editor. You can still just write in the post editor and see exactly what your text will look like. The biggest difference comes for those of us who used to compose in the HTML editor.

          Liked by 4 people

          • nance, you’re right. I hadn’t thought of this. I, too, started my first blog using an HTML editor and I did all the *fun* coding myself. Now I find it difficult to relinquish control to these goofy blocks. I know Blogger has its issues, too.

            If it ain’t broke why fix it? That’s the question I come back to. Followed by, if it is broke, then please explain in what ways. An honest answer from WordPress to that question would be illuminating.

            Liked by 1 person

    • Donna, I’ll look into that plug in. Thanks for the link. I think I’m in the classic editor block, but I could be wrong. I’ll get this figured out, but I keep wondering what WP is really up to with this change. 🤔

      Liked by 1 person

  22. As long as the “work around” is still available (WP Admin ~> All Posts ~> New Post – Drop Down Menu ~> Classic Editor), I’ll keep blogging.

    When it disappears, I think I shall exit the blogosphere . . . maybe a decade of blogging is enuff?

    Liked by 5 people

    • Nancy, thanks for the information. My administrative page doesn’t give me the Classic Editor option. I click on New Post & up pops a blank page in the new format. [I am seeing now that the posts I had ready beforehand have an option to use the Classic Editor so it’s still in my system sort of.]

      Oddly enough this is the beginning of my 10th year on WP. I’ve gotten more into blogging as I’ve gotten older. I don’t know when I’ll call it quits, but there will come a time. I understand your pov.

      Liked by 2 people

  23. I have been reading complaints about the new block editor for awhile, but just ran into it head-on last night. Late hours of the evening, I was thinking of how I’d had words in the brain to put down in WordPress but kept heading a different direction, so since I was sitting quietly, relaxed, I opted to write. Oh my! This doesn’t look the same! Oh my, how on earth do I get this photo in. I did it, but I don’t know how I did it, and after one I chose to not fight that battle again. They do like messing with our brains, don’t they?

    Liked by 5 people

    • Carol, I like your play-by-play of how you wrote your post last night. I was in the same boat yesterday, doing a little bit of writing then wondering how to keep going in the system. I have yet to conquer the image in a post conundrum. You’re right– WP likes to mess with our brains, just like a frenemy.

      Like

  24. I’d be seriously disappointed if you stopped blogging – don’t let WordPress drive you to that drastic action. On the other hand, I’m totally a technology-must-be-simple-and-intuitive-or-my-brain-melts-and-my-teeth-hurt kind of person. Sigh. I have no tips to offer, except generous supplies of wine and chocolate.

    Liked by 4 people

    • Deborah, thank you! Aren’t you sweet? I like my technology simple and intuitive. I’m not here to be a techie person, I’m here to write. Your tips are brilliant. I shall be following them tonight. Promise.

      Liked by 1 person

  25. So when I woke up one day last week, I noticed my WordPress was different and I am assuming this is what you are addressing. When I go to work on a post, there are two buttons to edit now: “edit” and “classic editor”. Edit is the block editor which I hate. I don’t know why they think we like that when everyone complains. Also, they added the “copy” button and I have no idea what the hell that is for. I mean, I’ve only been blogging for 10 years. I assume I get the manual in year 20?

    Liked by 3 people

    • Kari, on the posts I wrote last week that are in waiting, I see the set-up you mention. On the new ones that I’ve started this week I’m automatically put in the new editing system’s version of the classic editor [I think].

      I know what the “copy” button is for. I use it when I do an ongoing challenge like One Liner Wednesday where the basic information/link stays the same each time I write a new post. It’s a shortcut wherein you use an older post as a template for a new one.

      Liked by 1 person

  26. Perhaps they (the blog organizers or whatever) have too much time on their hands due to the pandemic, thus they’re trotting out all these NEW (and not improved) formats. They have to produce something to show their productivity. I’ve heard that Blogger has done the same thing as WP–made life more frustrating and painful for its bloggers by making all sorts of not so wonderful (and complicated) changes. I would miss you a lot if you left! 😦

    Liked by 4 people

    • Margaret, your take on the why of this situation makes perfect sense to me. Must do something to earn their keep so make a muddle of something that is perfectly fine. I’ve heard the same thing about Blogger, too. It’s a tiresome year, no matter where you blog. Thanks for the compliment. I’ll probably keep blogging, but I like to remind myself that I don’t have to do this if I don’t want to. It’s not a job.

      Liked by 1 person

  27. Q: Would I hate it if you felt compelled to quit blogging because of the changes for changes sake?
    A: YES!

    But I get it. So many challenges [understatement, anyone?] this year. So many. Among them are tone deaf politicians – Got COVID? Don’t worry, be happy – and advertisers -Are you ready for back to school? Come shop with us for all you congested classroom needs! and social media platforms (FB and WP – I’m looking at you!) who think NOTHING about rolling along with the same ol’ same ol’ without consideration for what we are experiencing.

    And is anyone listening? That’s the sad, sad, truth of it all.

    No.

    Liked by 1 person

    • Maggie, you said it. So many challenges in a year with so many tone deaf people allegedly in charge. There’s little consideration for the mental health of those of us who bear the brunt of the bad decisions made by the tone deaf ones.

      I’m weary of the big picture problems, let alone small picture problems like a difficult new editing system. You’re right, no one is listening.

      Like

  28. I’ve been using it for a few months but I have run into a few problems that the classic editor didn’t give me: can’t see a preview of my post before I publish it (Marty showed me a workaround) and I can’t figure out how to add a list that looks like I want it to (still haven’t figured that one out). Adding pictures is easy, though. Just look for the plus sign (either between the blocks or in the upper left corner, click on it, than select the icon that looks like a picture. You can either use an image from your WP folder or from your computer. Either upload or drag and drop. Adjust the size of the image by grabbing an edge and moving your curser. Good luck!

    Liked by 3 people

    • Janis, thanks for this how to about adding the pictures. I understand what you’re saying and will try it on my next post. I can see a preview of my post, but I cannot make a numbered or bullet-pointed list. I could do those things ezpz in the classic system.

      Like I said in my post, this change is all about how WP wants us to communicate, not about how we prefer to communicate our ideas. There’s a difference.

      Liked by 1 person

  30. I’m getting around the block editor by choosing Classic Editor on the posts page (where it offers options such as edit, preview, publish under my draft post). Hoping this workaround will be in place for a long time because I don’t need more arbitrary change in my life. Just one big change on or around November 3.

    Liked by 3 people

    • Donna, I can use that work around on post drafts I wrote last week and have waiting to publish, but the new posts don’t show that option. Or at least I didn’t see it when I was writing this particular post. If it is there, my bad– but it makes me cranky that I have to search for something that used to be at my finger tips, something I liked. [Unlike the current resident of the White House. 😉]

      Liked by 3 people

      • I wonder if people are having different experiences based on which WP template they use. I find even today that if I put just a title in the block(head) editor, then save it and access it again as if editing a post in progress, I have the option of choosing Classic Editor. Who knows whether that will still be available tomorrow. Sigh.

        Liked by 3 people

        • Agreed. I think you’re onto something. I don’t know enough about how techie stuff works to say for sure, but it seems like there’s a connection between your template and how things work in the blockhead editor. I mean, why not? Stranger things have happened this year.

          Like

  31. You and me both, sister. WP made the change on my birthday! MY BIRTHDAY! I HAD been having such a jolly happy day. Then I tried to write a post and wanted to throw my computer through the window. I had to communicate through chat with a WP assistant. That did, surprisingly, help a little, but I’m still largely at a loss. I did learn that, to add an image, I type /image into one of those blocks. It is absurd, and it made me really mad, too. I’m with you.

    Liked by 4 people

    • Betsy, WordPress’s choice of birthday present for you was a bad one. I don’t mean to sound judgmental but who gives MORE TROUBLE to someone on her birthday? Happy Birthday, btw.

      I’ll remember your how to add an image trick. Because that’s what it is really. All the features in this blockhead editing system are little tricks. I’d prefer treats, tbh.

      Liked by 1 person

      • I guess it was my fault for trying to do a post on my birthday. Change is hard, especially when it’s not super easy and intuitive like our good old classic was. Why they thought it was a good idea to change it, I’ll never understand. Another blogger said he’s been using and ENJOYING the new block editor for a year! I was like, “Huh?” I guess I’m grateful I had a nice year of NOT having to deal with this garbage, but still, why? WHY? I say! 🙂

        Liked by 3 people

  32. Well, I don’t know what to say – I’m going to re-read the previous comments and see if I can pick up any tips. I actually am using the new thingamy which drove me to distraction in the beginning but I had my very patient son on hand to help me through a thing or three. He is the host for my WF. I know I’m not using all the facilities it promises. I don’t know if I want to learn more new tricks. Each time I make a post I have to re- remember what I did before. One thing I know now that re: preview which was simple on the classic, I open up in a new tab and can check it there. There is something that you press on the new thingamy that will say ‘images’ that you can access. Keep on keeping on Ally Bean – you can show ’em – and us – that it’s not impossible.

    Liked by 3 people

  33. Yikes- this sounds unpleasant. I think I’m in the minority using Blogger. I think WordPress blogs look better, but I am terrified of changing things up. They changed things recently at Blogger and I was annoyed. I still cannot respond to each blogger individually. I have mostly adjusted but adding photos is now a royal pain. Good luck figuring it out. I enjoy your blog and hope you carry on.

    Liked by 4 people

    • Ernie, unpleasant is a good way to describe this mess. I started on Blogger years ago but it’s probably different there now, too. The thing is that if WordPress had bothered to explain what’s in it for me, then I’d be much happier about this change in editing systems. But they didn’t and now I suffer for no reason whatsoever. 😒

      Like

  34. I figured out how to add an image, but not how to size it or place it left, center or right like I could before.
    They are not my friend either.
    I’m stressing already. I too have thought about not blogging any more and I’ve been blogging since 2006. I think. Maybe 2008. Either way a really long time.

    Liked by 3 people

    • dawn, the ability to wrap text around an image is cool. I use it from time-to-time so I want to be able to do that, but maybe that is now too much for WP to handle.

      I didn’t know you started blogging in 2006-ish. I started on Blogger in 2004. I like doing this, it’s second nature, but only if it is fun. Just saying, WordPress

      Like

        • dawn, I’ve figured out how to get back to Classic, too. I’m going to go back and forth between the two editors, until [if] I get comfortable with the new blockhead one. Once the weather gets colder and I’m inside more I’ll have more time to focus on learning it.

          Liked by 1 person

  35. I couldn’t figure out to how to add an image either so looked up a tutorial on and found the little block image icon that allows one to upload an image or use their media library. Thankfully that’s still the same! But I couldn’t figure out how to schedule a post so was posting on the fly and then life got in the way and I didn’t have anything scheduled so I didn’t post of a couple of weeks.
    Monday I found an easy tutorial on how to schedule a post using the Block Editor. Just click the “Publish Immediately” and a calendar opens up and you can schedule posts there! YEAH!

    I didn’t switch back to the classic because they’re going to make us switch one way or the other so I figured I better figure it out. I don’t like the Title font and can’t figure out how to change it.
    Now that I have the scheduling figured out and the add image icon added to my block stack I’m good to go. My blog is so simple I think it’s working in my favor at the moment. 😀😀

    Liked by 3 people

    • Deborah, this is wonderful information. Thank you for sharing it here. I’ve only been wrestling with the blockhead editor for two days now, so I have yet to get really involved with it. I’ll definitely remember these how to tips as I get more involved with it.

      Liked by 1 person

  36. I am sorry you are suffering, Ally Bean, and I know you’re not alone because other bloggers are blogfully fitful all over blog land. I had a few challenges when I switched over in August but…fell in love with the new blocks and actually find it easier to use than before. You just click on the + symbol, click on paragraph or image, and it’s easy-peasy. Ok sneaking away now, but truly sorry it’s giving you da fits. 😢

    Liked by 3 people

  37. On my wordpress app, there is a way to bypass Block Editor. I haven’t tried from a tried and true computer because I use my ipad, but you could try it…on the side bar of my back end, there is: Configure – Settings. If I select that, over to the right there is EDITOR – Use block editor, which I can turn off.

    See if you can find that?

    Liked by 3 people

    • J, I’ll look for that. Thank you. I usually write on a desktop but I have an iPad so I’ll check this out. I cannot believe how complicated blogging has become. Nothing like when we first started back in the dark ages.

      Like

  38. You heard me this weekend when both mine and the non-profit I run both turned over, and I almost pulled my hair out ranting and raving. I agree with every single word you have in this post. This year has been a bear in so many darn respects, and I just don’t like that they shove it out at us with no choices. And, yes, I just got hit with my bill a couple of weeks ago. Can I learn it, yes. Do I want to, no. I had to produce two and have another one today, and the only way I survived was to put a title on it, save, go to all posts, and pick ‘classic editor’ under the title where the other options like preview, trash, etc. are listed, which allowed me to write in the old way. Probably the next time I go there, it won’t be available. As you can tell, I am highly irritated with WordPress and am seriously thinking of handing off the non-profit blog I’ve done for five years and figuring out a work around that I can live with on mine. Otherwise, I may just say adios. Now, I’m going to take a moment to pat myself on the back for keeping this comment “G” rated. 🙂

    Liked by 3 people

    • Judy, I like your idea of putting titles on posts in the blockhead editor, then transferring them to the classic editor. I’ll try that. Like you I can learn this new system, but I don’t want to. I’m dealing with so much change everywhere in my life and all I want is for my blogging experience to be a constant of predictability and fun. Not, apparently, what WordPress wants though. I do appreciate your restraint when writing your comment. I’ve sworn more in the last 2 days than I have in the last two months. The swear jar is getting heavy.

      Liked by 2 people

      • If I had a swear jar since they pulled the rug out, it would be heavy too. 🙂 I just did a post on my non-profit a few minutes ago. I put the title, saved it, went to the dashboard and picked ‘classic editor’ under the title. Now, if that keeps working we can keep blogging. 🙂

        Liked by 2 people

  39. I feel your pain, Sista!! I’m usually a fan of new technologies when they enhance functionality and make my life easier. The new WP block editor does neither! As a poet, their verse block looks like crap on mobile devices!! I have complained to the Happiness Engineers at WP! *crickets*
    And you’re right, Sista, forcing this change in the year of COVID is cruel!
    Deep breath. This too shall pass. At least we’re all in this together. PS: Hit the + sign to add a new block, choose an image block and upload. Hang in there🤗😷😊

    Liked by 4 people

    • Sue, I’m the same way. I’ll go with the flow when I can see a definite benefit to learning something new. But the blockhead editor is an inferior product. Considering how WP is rolling it out, sneaky-like, I’d guess they know it’s lousy. I don’t try to use the Happiness Engineers anymore. In my experience they talk gibberish, not solutions.

      Thanks for the tip about the + sign. I’ll find a way to get a real picture on my virtual page yet. 🙂

      Liked by 1 person

  40. I don’t want to be a pain, but I’ve been using the block editor for quite a time now and with a few exceptions, I haven’t had a problem. Of course I don’t do anything special, but I feel pretty good with it. So there’s hope. Don’t despair!

    janet

    Liked by 3 people

    • Janet, a few other commenters have mentioned that they use the block editor without any trouble. I wonder if it has to do with the type of machine you’re using; that is, whether you work on a desktop, laptop, notebook, &/or cell phone. Or maybe the brand of machine you have influences how easy it is to use the blockhead editor. I dunno, but I’m beginning to wonder.

      Thanks for your encouragement. I’ll get through this, but what a year it has been. So tired.

      Like

    • Cindy, user-unfriendly is accurate. Good question. I’ve been at blogging for a long time, so I could call it quits having accomplished something positive here. On the other hand most of the time I get a kick out of keeping a blog, so I stay. For now. I guess.

      Liked by 1 person

  42. I’ve already gone to the block editor, which was confusing. I liked the way I was doing it before. Now I have another problem. My website and my blog are attached. My website was ruined by the publisher I had for my first novel. They went out of business and took much of my content with them. So I got someone to help me put together a new and better website. Unfortunately, he messed up my blog, changed my theme, etc. He still doesn’t have it fixed.

    These kinds of things are so frustrating! Today I tried to mail a priority mail pkg. from home, and I couldn’t get USPS to let me pay from home. I’m sure there’s some way to do it, but I can’t find it.

    Liked by 3 people

    • Nicki, what an awful unexpected situation! I’m sorry your publisher went out of business, but then to leave you with a ruined website that leads to a confused blog… well, that sucks. Any and all of these techie problems are frustrating and outside our control which, in my mind, makes them even more frustrating. I’ll send positive thoughts your way in lieu of advice, which I don’t have.

      I’ve never tried to mail a package from home using the USPS. I didn’t know you could do that. Best of luck with that project. Life is so complicated anymore, isn’t it?

      Liked by 1 person

  43. I can’t remember when they first offered the block editor, it seems like at least a year ago and definitely before the pandemic started, but I decided to switch back then to get it over with. At first it was a very steep learning curve but I stuck with it and I’m very comfortable with it now. I think I even prefer it. Still finding out new things. One thing I love is the ability to move blocks up and down with a quick click, so if I want to change the order of paragraphs and/or pictures I don’t have to copy and paste any more. I hope you stick with it — I love your blog!

    Liked by 3 people

    • Barbara, your experience gives me hope. I haven’t tried moving any blocks around, fearful that they’ll disappear into wherever it is that unwanted text goes when you hit delete. In principle I’m not against learning new things, but for me [and everyone I guess] this year has been nothing but learning new ways to do normal things. Somehow I dreamed/wanted my blogging experience to be as it ever was so that I’d have some sense of normality in my life. Obviously that was not to be courtesy of WordPress, my frenemy.

      Thanks for the compliment about this blog. I appreciate you taking the time to read and comment here.

      Liked by 1 person

  44. Okay, I’m doing what Donna Cameron said. I have ZIPPO interest in learning anything new related to the blog. I. Don’t. Care. Um, and WordPress trumpeted Block all summer like it was A BIG TREAT. As has been said, I don’t know if everybody’s behind-the-scenes is the same, but I save a word or title in the Block Editor (New Post) & exit. Then I go to WordPress Admin>Posts>All Posts> where I see Drafts. Next to the Draft title are the options: Edit/Classic Editor/Quick Edit/Copy/Trash/Preview. Once in Classic, each time I save draft, it forces me to AGAIN choose the Classic option before returning to the post. 😡 I will cling to the bitter end.

    Liked by 3 people

    • Colette, thanks for explaining how you get a draft post into the classic editor. I appreciate knowing this, but am VERY RESENTFUL that I must play a game to use the system I prefer. That is so not cool of WordPress.

      You’re right about how WP attempted to position this new editor in our minds. The more WP told me how great the block editor would be, the more I figured it was a dud. Kind of a modern techie twist on the old saying, “me think thou doth protest too much.” 🧐

      Liked by 1 person

      • I am equally resentful and stubborn. If they take away my work-around, not sure what I’ll do. It hadn’t occurred to me that the change might be to send the “little bloggers” like me packing till I read the comments here. 😐

        Liked by 2 people

        • I’ll use your workaround because like you I’m stubborn. So far people who hate the blockhead system are telling me that they’re walking away from blogging on WP. You’d think a company would want all their customers to be happy, but I think in this case WP wants only certain customers to be happy. Why I cannot fathom…

          Liked by 1 person

  45. Ally, Sorry to hear your frustrating experience with the block editor. I adopted it early since last June. I write all my posts using the block editor and like many of its features. Hang in there. Take a few deep breaths. You can do this!

    Liked by 3 people

    • Natalie, thanks for your encouragement. I appreciate your support. I’ll get the hang of it, eventually. It’s just that I dislike change for no reason, which is what this seems like to me. But there you go, thwarted again in 2020. Ain’t it the way?

      Like

  46. So totally with you, Ally. I hate block editor. But you can still use classic by clicking on the drop down arrow. It took me a bit to figure this out, but I will cling to it by my fingernails for as long as they let me!

    Liked by 4 people

      • You can either click on the corners to resize manually, or go to the block editor (right hand side when you’re posting) and check the box for thumbnail, medium, large, whatever you want.

        If you want to do a text wrap, choose “Text & Media” instead of “Image.” Then you can have text to the right, left, or both sides of your image.

        I know everybody is complaining about the block editor, but it really isn’t that difficult, I promise! It actually gives you a lot more versatility. Just takes some getting used to.

        Liked by 2 people

        • Thanks for this information. I usually can figure out how to make editing systems do my bidding, but this block stuff seems counter-intuitive to me. But if I stick around here, I’ll learn it. *heavy sigh*

          Liked by 1 person

  48. Ugh. I write on Blogger, and they’ve made a few changes as well. Not something so drastic as a block text editor (horrific! who writes like this?), but some onerous stuff anyway. I usually blog in html so that I have more control over my spacing and such, and now it’s a huge pain.

    I do have a WP blog all set and ready to go should something really awful occur at Blogger (owned by Google, so you never really know). I already didn’t like their editor to begin with.

    Hang in there.

    Liked by 3 people

    • nance, I’m at a loss as to why any blogging platform would make their editing system more difficult and cumbersome for its users. It makes no sense to me, but there’s probably more to the story.

      I look forward to the day when you join us here at WP… if it comes to that. Of course considering my week here, I may not be here to welcome you. Again I ask, why make blogging so difficult for those of us who are here to write our hearts out? *piffle*

      Like

  49. Did WordPress read your blog post? Is there a way for us to make them read how dissatisfied we are with their blockhead editor and hear a reply from them? Because I absolutely and totally agree with you and I am frustrated and angry that they’re messing up with a good thing.

    Liked by 3 people

    • Pam, I couldn’t say if WP pays any attention to me. I doubt it. This whole push to force us to use the blockhead editor is weird to me. If customers don’t like something, most companies would discontinue it. But WordPress is either tone-deaf or indifferent to us, the people who use their product. Hence we find ourselves in this somewhat untenable position, during what might be the most difficult year of our lives. It wearies my mind and defeats my soul. Perhaps their goal, perhaps not. 🤷‍♀️

      Liked by 1 person

      • I read somewhere that they did this change for their “customers” who use WP for commercial/business purposes (advertising? promotion?). WP makes more money off of those people, so if that’s true, it all goes down to the dirty dollar. ;-(

        Liked by 2 people

        • Well, I’m one of those paying customers. I have a business level blog and I’m not pleased. If WP is trying to get other bloggers to upgrade like I did years ago, they’re failing miserably.

          Liked by 1 person

    • Linda, thanks for this link. I’ll read it and be better informed I’m sure. The whole idea that I have to play a game to use that which I like frustrates me to no end. But that seems to be where I find myself. Not alone here, but so tired…

      Liked by 1 person

      • I know – I only went to the Block Editor in April 2019 because we were getting Windows 10 and a new accounting system in April and I wanted to simplify my life. The irony is our computer guy still has the equipment in his office, not ours! No words!
        Wish I’d seen it earlier to pass it along. I’ve been scrolling through Reader the past few days to see how much I need to catch up on and saw your post. I hope it is a fix for you.

        Liked by 2 people

  52. Yeah, Word Press lied when it said we could keep the classic editor. We can use a few of its features, but we are now stuck with “blocks.” (Which, last I checked, have nothing to do with writing.) And now it is harder to like or comment on a post too, which is why we may be seeing a decrease in our stats. The ONLY good thing about this change is that it reminds us that social media may be “free” to use, but that’s only because we are the product they are selling. Our every click, our every comment, our every post, is being used to decide how to best advertise to us, among other things.

    Liked by 3 people

    • Ann, I soooo agree with you that blocks have nothing to do with writing. I find them infuriating. I also agree that we are the product in all social media and it’s easy to forget that. The arrival of the block editor has certainly put that reality into sharp relief. Like I said, we’re all just pawns…

      Liked by 1 person

  53. Oh dear Ally, I had the same thing happen to me after my little sabbatical – and it happened on two sites 😦 I did a LOT of swearing, and wasted a LOT of energy trying to use the old Classic way, before giving in. I’d like to pretend there was grace involved in that action, but we both know I’d be lying. That being said, I am coping fine now, and think I might even see the day when I’ll come to like it. Just not quite yet …

    Liked by 3 people

    • Deb, your comment is encouraging. It’s not that I can’t learn how to use the blockhead system, it’s that I am unclear as to why I need to learn it. If WP was transparent about why they’re implementing something few people like, I’d be more cooperative, understanding even. But from my pov as the customer, this block stuff sucks. In a year that sucks.

      Liked by 1 person

      • Agreed, it’s lousy timing, of that there is no doubt.

        I’ve also just remembered that even my professional site (non WPress) put through enforced changes on the blog section, so I wonder if there is some good technical reason for it. And why oh why they don’t just say so. So yeah, that’s actually THREE blogs I had to relearn after summer break … not sure I’ll dare take a break again 🙄

        Liked by 2 people

  55. Sorry to hear about the stressful update, if you can call it that. I always liked classic too, since I used it blogging in my old days. Coming back to WP this year, Markus only knows the block editor and it took time for me to enjoy writing on it. Like you, I still don’t know how to use it. I suppose I am lucky there are two of us doing this thing. I hope you are able to befriend the new editor. But yes, WP sucks forcing it on people like that.

    Liked by 2 people

    • Markus + Micah, the odd thing for me is that I’m usually pretty good at adapting to the editor at hand. I’ve been writing for a long time, but his block editor makes little sense to me. I’d be much more upbeat about it IF WordPress would tell me what’s in it for me. But they remain silent, just expecting me/us to fall in line because they said use this. It rankles, I tell ‘ya.

      Like

  56. totally agree with you – unnecessary – keeping up with the other techies – these are all milleniums having no brain (haha) forgetting most of their customers are near or beyond retirement age. I wish the same to them when their time over 55 comes!

    Liked by 2 people

    • DrJunieper, made me laugh! I hadn’t thought about karma doing her thing to the people who wrote this blockhead mess. Yes, it would be nice to see that happen. Gotta admit it.

      Like

  57. I literally cussed, sighed, cussed and might have thrown something when this hit me too. YOU will learn it and I promise you, it will come easier than you think. There is a learning curve….but you are a smart woman and you will get it. Pinkie promise.

    Liked by 1 person

    • Suz, I love anyone who pinkie promises. Those are binding. I’m sure I will get it, but to say it was a shock on Monday morning is an understatement. Why must blogging life be so difficult? Hmmm…?

      Liked by 1 person

    • Laurie, you’re right. It was mean of WordPress to force this new system on us this year. I wrote this because I was peeved, not knowing that I was talking for so many bloggers. The response to this post has been amazing.

      Like

  59. Pingback: Good Morning To Everyone Except WordPress, My Frenemy – Moas Blog

    • I wonder that, too. I suspect they hear, but do not care. Like I said somewhere in these comments IF WordPress honestly explained why they were doing this switch [during the middle of a pandemic], I’d be more cooperative. But it all seems underhanded to me. I mean, what do you or I get out of this– other than frustration? I see zero benefit

      Liked by 1 person

  61. I too am one of those weirdos who actually like the block editor. I hope by now you’ve figured out the worst of it. I agree that this year certainly hasn’t been the best one in so many ways and adding one more stressful item into the mix that you have no control over is just too much.

    Liked by 3 people

    • Joanne, that really is the crux of it. IF WordPress had put off this change until next year, assuming next year will be better, THEN I’d be a dutiful little blogger and start using the block system without a complaint. BUT they didn’t and that lack of common sense/courtesy is discouraging.

      Also, many of the commenters who like the system live in Canada. I’m wondering if you have a different version of it? 🤔

      Like

  62. I held out for as long as possible until WP ‘forced’ me to change, I hated Block Editing with a passion but got used to it. My take is we human beings hate change and the older we get the less flexible we become, I guess that’s the reason children are adapting to the new normality reasonably well taking covid in their stride? And we oldies are NOT!

    Liked by 2 people

    • A. Shepherdson, thanks to my commenters I’ve found a few ways to work around the blockhead editor and can still compose in the classic one that I like. I figure I’ll slowly ease myself into the new editing system. I usually am pretty good at adapting to change, but I find the block editor counter-intuitive. Plus I see no benefit in it for me personally, so I had to snarl about it here. HAD TO, I tell ‘ya! 😉

      Liked by 1 person

  63. Ally, when I was switched over my drafts which I had already written showed up in Classic editor…..so they were easy to edit. But when I started new posts, it now seems to be block, but I’m mostly choosing the classic block, which is annoying having to do that for every paragraph. I’m way behind in my Reader so will come back and read the comments later.

    Liked by 2 people

  64. I didn’t want or need the new block editor either. There’s a “classic” block but it just adds an extra step to the editing process and it’s just not the same. The hardest part for is that I used to be able to add a paragraph indent HTML/CSS code before paragraphs that the block editor can’t even recognize anymore! …causing me to add code to the “additional CSS” menu in the customizer. 😒 Adding images and having them placed the way you want is also something I had to learn to do. There’s an actual “image” block but again, not the same or even as easy if you want it conveniently placed next to a sentence in the middle of a paragraph like I usually do.

    Liked by 2 people

    • RoChriMel2, yep. You nailed two of the editing features that are not an upgrade in my mind. Making things more difficult is not my idea of progress. I’m sure I can learn all this new editing stuff, but this is not the year for change just for the sake of change. Still, here we are.

      Like

  65. Pingback: Good Morning To Everyone Except WordPress, My Frenemy – Umair Yaseen

  69. I’m sure someone else has already said it but I don’t want to read 200 comments lol. But if it helps, I simply clicked the button that said to edit in the classic editor. It defaults to block but allows me (at least so far) to keep creating in classic editor.

    Liked by 1 person

    • tara, thanks for sharing that with me. I found that button after someone told me about it. I didn’t realize it was there when I wrote this post– that seems to have hit a nerve with many people. Oh my 😳

      Liked by 1 person

      • Ever since WordPress softly introduced the blocks editor two years ago, I have fought it. I will continue to do so. It isn’t intuitive. It isn’t user-friendly. But I do have an acquaintance in IT who said that in the background coding it makes sense why they are doing it, annoying on the front end or not🤷🏼‍♀️ Maybe that’s why my numbers have fallen so far recently. Perhaps WP is punishing me. lol

        Liked by 1 person

  73. I was most appreciative of the posts that the widowbadass and retirementreflections did as it gave me the push to move over and work with IT. I mostly blog off my phone and it seems like it’s kind of a hybrid system.
    The part of your blog I really agree with is the CONTROL SOCIAL MEDIA companies are extending into our lives. Having just watched the Social Dilemma it showed me everything I had thought was true about FB and Instagram. Can’t comment on Twitter as I only use it to find out if the power is out in my whole rural area or just us.
    Good luck as you move onwards. Yeah it’s been a tough year but find the gratitude in the fact that you have a shit load of followers who care enough to comment and keep you coming back!

    Liked by 1 person

    • bernieLynne, I’ve never tried blogging with my phone, but that’s an interesting observation about the block editor and how it works. I agree that Deb and Donna were helpful with their explanations about how the new system works.

      I’ve not watched the Social Dilemma, but I can observe how social media nudges/forces us to communicate our messages in ways that please them– not always us. I’m amazed by the sheer number of comments on this post. I’d no idea I was touching on such a popular frustrating topic. 😳

      Like

    • irelandandelsewhere, you’re right, of course. If you started with the blockhead editor then that’s what you’ll know how to use. Enjoy your bliss. The workarounds have been useful, so many thanks to everyone who added one here.

      Liked by 1 person

    • joey, thank you. I was irritated to find the blockhead editor foisted on me on a Monday morning. Of all days! I wrote this post unaware that I’d hit a nerve with so many people around the world. 😳

      Liked by 2 people

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