Why Now Is The Time To Pull Up My ‘Big Boy’ Trousers’ About My Blog

Have you heard of the saying, ‘Don’t put off today what can be done tomorrow’? I should tell myself that more often because tomorrow becomes tomorrow, and that tomorrow becomes another tomorrow. Before you know it, weeks, months or even years have passed you by, and you still haven’t done what you were putting off until tomorrow.

Last week, after visiting some blogs, I asked myself, ‘Why haven’t I done what they have done yet?’ And the simple and truthful answer was ‘Because of me.’ But what am I referring to?

‘What if?’ moments. Do you ever have them?

A ‘What if’ moment is those moments in life when you believe something is holding you back from doing something you know needs to be done, but you have doubts about it. The problem is that it isn’t the doubts that are holding you back.

The ‘What if’ moment I’ve been having has lasted for the best part of two years.

‘What if changing the theme of my blog from Classic to Block causes problems?’

Given that thousands of other bloggers have done it, I know that, while problems may occur, they can be resolved!

When WordPress introduced the Block Editor, which now seems like many years ago, I disliked it and did everything I could to avoid giving it a chance. I fought myself, declaring I’ll never use it and that I hated the change. And there was my downfall – ‘change.’ I wasn’t willing to accept it.

Then another blogger said in one of her posts, ‘The Block Editor isn’t hard to use; it’s just different.’ That got me thinking, and it was not long before I realised that the reason I didn’t like the change was that I hadn’t set aside any time to read tutorials and watch them, and to give the Block editor a try.

It wasn’t long before I was telling myself that trying out the Block Editor was like switching up from black-and-white to colour television.

Why then has it taken me so long to begin the switch from a Classic to a Block theme? The answer to that question is ‘Me.’ What if something goes wrong? What if I break my blog? What if all my posts disappear? What if my blog disappears without a trace?’ Why if, what if, what if?

The problem with all those questions is that they are not problems. They are excuses. Excuses to stop myself from making changes. And I have found in life that change opens new doors and brings new opportunities. And that’s what switching to using the Block editor did.

But why fix what’s not broken?

I hear people say, ‘Why fix what’s not broken?’ But nobody is fixing anything. All websites have to keep up with technological changes; they would lose many paying customers if they didn’t adapt. It’s paying customers who keep companies alive by buying their products or services, allowing some users to use the site for free.

Now, replace the question ”Why fix what’s not broken?’ with, ‘Why update what is not broken?’ You now have your answer.

Not all WordPress users are lucky enough to have had a choice between a Classic and a Block editor. Many have never known anything but the Block Editor, and they all seem to be doing a great job. However, did you know that the Block editor includes a Classic block that allows users to use the Classic editor?

What’s about to happen on my blog?

Over the next few weeks, you may notice a few changes with my blog as I switch from a Classic to a Block theme. If you notice anything wrong, please let me know, so I can resolve it. There’s plenty of support available on WordPress when you take the time to find it. Part of the excitement for me is choosing a new theme, but another reason I am making the switch is that I gain access to many more blogging tools and options, many of which help users save time.

Finally, I’m pleased to say I’ve changed concerns into excitement. I’m no longer allowing change to stop me from moving ahead on my blogging journey. I want my blog to become part of today’s technology, rather than remain stuck in yesterday’s.

This is my final post using a Classic theme on my blog. Bear with me while I make the changes to a Block theme. Hopefully, it won’t be long before I see you on the other side.

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Update – I did it! I made the change. Check my post How I Finally Switched My Blog to a Block Theme – Challenges, Wins, and Must-Know Tips for WordPress Bloggers for all the details.

Have you changed the theme of your WordPress blog from Classic to Block? Did you encounter any problems? What were they, and how did you resolve them?

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88 responses to “Why Now Is The Time To Pull Up My ‘Big Boy’ Trousers’ About My Blog”

  1. Klausbernd avatar

    Hi Hugh
    We changed a while ago without any problems.
    The Fab Four of Cley
    :-) :-) :-) :-)

    1. Hugh W. Roberts avatar

      Thank you for letting me know. It gives me much more confidence in making the switch.

  2. Dan Antion avatar

    I switched several years ago. My theme was causing problems and I made the switch before what I thought was going to be a mandatory transition. I love the Block Editor.

    You’re changing at a good time. WordPress has fixed many of the things that were broken in blocks, and they’ve added many new blocks and features. I think you will enjoy the level of creative control blocks give you.

    I look forward to your sharing your experience. Good luck.

    1. Hugh W. Roberts avatar

      I’ve already had a quick look around doing the change, and it seems so much easier to do now than it did a few years ago, Dan.

      I probably only use six of the blocks on a regular basis, but that may well change once I make the switch. I’m now looking forward to doing the change rather than fearing it (which is what I’ve been doing for the last few years).

      1. Dan Antion avatar

        I’m sure you will do well, Hugh. I think I only use about that many blocks on a regular basis. The big difference now is in the available block settings. At first, most blocks didn’t have any to speak of.

        1. Hugh W. Roberts avatar

          The Block editor has come a long way since first introduced in 2018, Dan. It’s much easier to use now, but I guess I’m saying that because practice makes perfect.

  3. Terri Webster Schrandt avatar

    Now I wonder if im using a block theme, Hugh. I knew you were using the block editor… when I get back home and get on my desktop computer, I’ll check. Keep us posted (sorry couldn’t resist a bad pun). 😉

    1. Hugh W. Roberts avatar

      Another reason why I am making the switch is that I’ve been informed that the Block Editor works better with Block themes, Terri. Fortunately, the current Classic theme I use hasn’t caused me too many problems when using the Block editor, but I am fearful that one day WordPress will retire the Classic theme I am using.

      1. Terri Webster Schrandt avatar

        A good call, Hugh. Hopefully you can share your thoughts and how-tos with us slowpokes!

        1. Hugh W. Roberts avatar

          I’m planning my first post with the new Block theme to be about my experience doing the switch, Terri. Hopefully, all positive.

  4. Marie avatar

    I switched to the Block editor early on and can’t even remember the Classic. When I open an old post in Classic now, I am lost. May your transition go smoothly.

    1. Hugh W. Roberts avatar

      Thank you. I’ve been using the Block editor since 2019, but never tried a Block theme. Now’s the time.

  5. petespringer avatar

    Best of luck, Hugh. There’s a lot to chew on with this post, Hugh. Many people are wired to use what they’re comfortable with. Then, when we see many others using technology so comfortably, it’s a wake-up call not to be left behind. I’ve been thinking about making similar changes and have some of the same fears (excuses) you mentioned about losing your work. That’s probably just an irrational thought. How many times have you changed themes over the years?

    1. Hugh W. Roberts avatar

      You are right about many being wired into using what they feel comfortable with, Pete. But when things go wrong, it’s often because the theme they are using has been retired and no longer supported by WordPress. Some will help themselves by switching to a theme that is still supported by WordPress, but I’ve also witnessed some bloggers gave up because they couldn’t keep the same theme.

      Over the 12 years I have blogged, I’ve change my blog’s theme about four times. I’ve been using the current theme (Toujours) for the best part of six years. Fortunately, it’s one of the Classic themes that WordPress still support. I’ve a feeling that the list of supported Classic themes is going to get shorter and shorter over the next few years.

  6. Janis @ RetirementallyChallenged.com avatar

    Interesting. I’ve been editing my posts using Block for a while and I know you’ve talked about using it too. So, what’s the difference between using the Block Editor and switching to a Block Theme? What are the benefits?

    1. Hugh W. Roberts avatar

      The WordPress Block editor (formerly known as Gutenberg) is now the default content management interface introduced by WordPress in 2018. It uses a modular, “block-based” system where every page element—text, images, videos, or buttons—is treated as a separate, draggable block. It replaced the text-based “classic editor” as the default editor.

      WordPress block themes are modern themes designed for Full Site Editing (FSE), allowing users to customise every part of their website—including headers, footers, and templates—using the block editor instead of a traditional customiser. They use blocks for layout, offering better performance than Classic themes and tend to cause many less problems.

      The Block editor works much better with Block themes than Classic themes. So, again, less things tend to go wrong.

      I hope that helps.

      1. Janis @ RetirementallyChallenged.com avatar

        Thanks, Hugh. Your second two paragraphs answered my question. It sounds like switching to a block theme will allow more flexibility and customization. I imagine, knowing WP, classic themes will slowly be completely retired.

        1. Hugh W. Roberts avatar

          There are still around 50 Classic themes available, Janis. However, who knows when WordPress will retire them. I’d be surprised if they retired them all. I think they are likely to retire all but two or three.

  7. Michelle (Boomer Eco Crusader) avatar

    Good luck with the change, Hugh. I’ve always used the block editor so I don’t know any different. Mind you, I’ve had similar debate over choosing a new theme as I’ve been using the same one for 7 years now. One day!

    1. Hugh W. Roberts avatar

      I love using the Block editor, Michelle. I’d never switch back to the Classic editor. But now it’s time to move my blog to a Block theme, as I’ve been told the Block editor works much better with it.

  8. JT Twissel avatar

    The Block Editor lets you move around blocks of text and photos easier but sometimes it’s hard to delete specific blocks because they butt up to each other. There’s probably an easier way to remedy that problem but I generally put a space between blocks. Also I have to center photos otherwise I have problems with layout – which probably wastes a lot of space! Good luck ! Is that a photo of Big Ben I spy – or a painting over your desk? I feel very naughty getting a peek at your workstation! : )

    1. Hugh W. Roberts avatar

      I like the Block editor alot, but been told (and read) it works much better with Block themes. It’s one of the reasons why I am making the switch from a Classic to a Block theme. Fortunately, I don’t experience many problems with my blog, probably because the Classic theme I am using is still supported by WordPress and has not been retired. It’s retired Classic themes that can cause a lot of the problems.

      Yes, the painting above my desk does have Big Ben (or the Elizabeth Tower) on it. Big Ben is the bell inside the tower, but the majority of people know the tower as Big Ben.

  9. EsmeSalon avatar
    EsmeSalon

    You can do it Hugh. All the best and looking forward to the new look.

  10. Author Jan Sikes avatar

    We do tend to resist change, Hugh. I like the block editor and have had no issues with it at all. Good luck!

    1. Hugh W. Roberts avatar

      I like the Block editor a lot, too, Jan. But now it’s time for me to change from a Classic to a Block theme. I’ve heard that the Block editor works much better with Block themes.

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