You’re Not Stuck: The Surprising Power Of Finally Changing Your Blog Theme

I keep telling myself I’m going to stop, but somehow I never quite do.

I’ve been tangled up in something I just couldn’t escape from… until now.

Feeling trapped by your blog’s look?

If you are not sure what I am talking about, two of my recent posts have the clues.

Why Now Is The Time To Pull Up My ‘Big Boy’ Trousers’ About My Blog and ‘How I Finally Switched My Blog to a Block Theme – Challenges, Wins, and Must-Know Tips for WordPress Bloggers.

What changed when I finally took the leap

Before I started changing my blog’s theme, I was scared, unsure, and afraid, and I doubted myself.

Now, on the other side of making the changes, I’m excited, proud, happy, inquisitive, feel secure and patting myself on the back, while encouraging other bloggers to do what I have just done.

Who would have thought that all the doubts and negativity I had about changing my blog’s theme would transfer into positivity and a sense of achievement?

When healthy tweaking turns into a time trap

However, the work I have done never seems complete to me.

Of course, it is complete because everything is working well, and I’ve had fantastic feedback from readers on the new look.

Yet I continue to look for changes I can make to the theme I chose because it’s become addictive. This has led me to neglect writing, the one thing I came to the blogging world to do.

When I discovered blogging in 2014, my passion for writing was ignited, despite my dyslexia.

Noticing when your time stops feeling well spent

More importantly, after drafting a new post, I feel like I’ve completed my day and haven’t wasted it.

I felt the same way when I first started changing the theme of my blog. There was little, if any, writing done, yet I always felt as if my day hadn’t been wasted.

But now I’ve reached a point where the changes I am making to my theme are no longer giving me that feeling of a completed day.

You can change more than you think, starting small

I’ve always disliked wasting time, yet I’ve often found myself falling into its trap.

I feel time is something we should not only be thankful for but also regard as precious.

I don’t want to go down a path of negativity here, because nobody wants to hear or read anything negative, as it can ruin some readers’ days, but that sign of negativity is an alarm clock telling me to stop making changes to my blog and to get back to doing what I first came here to do – write!

There are so many possibilities ahead, but change brings even more.

Don’t be frightened of change. It’s far better to spend some of your precious time embracing it than to head down the road of negativity, which only leads to frustration and often to failure.

If you don’t have time to make any change, take a closer look at what you are doing, and you’ll be surprised by how much time you are wasting.

Put that wasted time to work on change, which, in turn, will open the door to opportunities and experiences that make life richer, more interesting, and a lot more your own.

You don’t need a grand plan or a perfect moment. You don’t need excuses.

You just need to grab a small slice of that wasted time and point it in a better direction.

Read a few pages. Make that call. Go for a walk. Start that project you keep talking yourself out of (like changing the theme of your blog to one that WordPress supports). None of it has to be fancy. It just has to be real.

You are not stuck. You are not too late. You are not the one person for whom this won’t work.

You are simply one decision away from using your time differently.

What’s one area of your blog where fear has left you stuck lately?

If you could change just one small thing about your blog, what would it be? What’s stopping you from doing it?

When have you surprised yourself by making a change you thought you couldn’t do?

What’s one tiny step you can take today to move from ‘stuck’ to ‘in progress’?

The featured image in this post was created using the WordPress image generator. AI was used to check for grammar and spelling mistakes and to help with the layout of the post.

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42 responses to “You’re Not Stuck: The Surprising Power Of Finally Changing Your Blog Theme”

  1. Taking Stock: 26 Little Snapshots of My Life and the Blogging World avatar

    […] You’re Not Stuck: The Surprising Power Of Finally Changing Your Blog Theme […]

  2. BookerTalk avatar

    Some people thrive on change, others fear it. I’m more in the former camp but have worked on many, many change management projects over the years so appreciate that change can be scary. But we live in a world which is constantly changing around us so we have to find ways through the fear. Taking things one step at a time as you recommend is one of the best ways – if you are successful at that first step, then you’ll feel encouraged to try the next, and the next.

    1. Hugh W. Roberts avatar

      That’s a great way of putting it, Karen. I agree that change can be scary, but that scary feeling is often of our own making. I made so many excuses for why I should not change my blog’s theme, all of them the result of the fear I was feeling.

      1. BookerTalk avatar

        Part of your fear may have come from the fact that you were not in control of the change. Another entity (in this case WordPress or the theme developers) held the cards. So you couldn’t be exactly sure the change would work.

        1. Hugh W. Roberts avatar

          That’s very true. But at the back of my mind, I knew that WordPress wouldn’t want to lose me (as a paying customer). But I can understand how those with a free account would feel.

  3. April 2026 Blogging Highlights: WordPress Block Themes, Old Cameras & New Beginnings avatar

    […] You’re Not Stuck: The Surprising Power Of Finally Changing Your Blog Theme. […]

  4. Urspo avatar

    I have had the same style/format for twenty years. This is exceptional as I change my wallpaper daily and rotate pins and jackets etc. I sometime think to change the format – there is nothing like a new frock to brighten up the day! – but I fear I will lose folks.

    1. Hugh W. Roberts avatar

      I would think that your theme has been retired if you’ve been using it for 20 years. However, retired themes can continue to work without any major problems.

      Changing theme does not affect follower count, so you won’t lose followers unless they choose to unfollow your blog. I can’t imagine anyone wanting to unfollow your blog, though.

  5. Debbie avatar

    Hi Hugh, I know that feeling well after changing my theme earlier this month, I’m looking for things to add or tweak but I think I’m just about done now! It’s given me a new enthusiasm and I can relate to what you say in your post.

    I’m now going to look for the recommended blogs block to add to my side bar, as Terry mentioned. I wish I’d thought to take note of all my previous things in my previous theme, widgets etc before changing themes, as it was hard to actually remember what was there before!

    Thanks again for your encouragement!

    1. Hugh W. Roberts avatar

      I wish I had taken some screenshots of my blog before switching themes, Debbie. Like you, I can’t recall what was on the sidebar, but I’m happy with what’s there now.

      I’m delighted your switch to a block theme went without too many problems. It can be a scary step, but one that is rewarded. Like you, I’ve had a new lease of enthusiasm since switching themes. Hopefully, you’ll encounter fewer problems with your blog than you would with a Classic theme. I’ve definitely seen an improvement. Plus, the Block editor works better when using a Block theme.

      Congratulations on a job well done. Your new theme looks excellent.

  6. Brenda avatar

    Great post, Hugh. I agree, we need to hear about the “warning signs” too, so when we know we’ve done our best work and anything more becomes redundant, not really adding anything to the blog/site or whatever else we might be working on. Its easy to be caught in the trap of seeking to produce perfect work, which never happens. I agree its ok to say that the work is “good enough” and we should focus on the things that bring us joy, and as you said, allow us to feel we’ve had a productive day. I think the tweaks to your site look good – it really does have a nice feel – balance of text, images, colour and white space. Its easy to read on the site. I also loved that featured image.

    1. Hugh W. Roberts avatar

      I’m delighted you like my new-look blog, Brenda. I don’t know why I put off making the switch for so long, especially since it’s given me new enthusiasm for blogging. I’m delighted how it all turned out. It’s like moving into a new home, giving that feeling of a fresh start.

      I’m still tweaking the site, but spending much more time on writing again.

      1. Brenda avatar

        I’m glad its renewed your passion for writing and for your blog. I think WP would be poorer without your insights and input.

  7. Eugi avatar

    I’m taking a hiatus this week, but wanted to check in to see how you’re doing with your new theme. It looks great, Hugh!

    1. Hugh W. Roberts avatar

      Thank you for checking in while on your break, Eugi. I’m delighted you like the new-look blog. I’m delighted with how it all turned out.

      1. Eugi avatar

        You’re welcome, Hugh.

  8. Paul Ariss avatar
    Paul Ariss

    I’m a big believer in making small changes regularly to make progress. I read 40 pages a day of a book and by the end of the month in most cases I’ve read a new novel. I’ll spend a couple of hours a day working on a script, maybe an hour on song-writing and the same principle applies as reading; regular, definite progress.

    I plan to make bigger changes next month which I’m nervous about, but I’ll do it because of the smaller changes I’m making now.

    1. Hugh W. Roberts avatar

      Good to hear, Paul. It’s when people do not accept or adapt to changes that problems can occur.

      That big change can seem frightening, but the buzz you get when you complete it is worth every moment of your time. Good luck with the upcoming changes.

  9. Linda Schaub avatar

    Hugh, I have to admit I was relieved when WordPress said I only had to change my background colors by June 15th due to a tech upgrade and NOT my theme – it is an older theme. :)

    1. Hugh W. Roberts avatar

      Is your theme still supported by WordPress, Linda? It sounds like it may well be. Unsupported themes can cause all sorts of problems, from being unable to leave comments (or showing as ‘Anonymous’) to not seeing posts in the WordPress reader.

      1. Linda Schaub avatar

        Hugh, lucky for me my theme (Twenty Ten) is still active. When I got the e-mail about this June 15th deadline, I wrote to verify that they just wanted me to change my color/background and nothing more and they said yes, that’s it. I do have a few quirky things but the Anonymous is not one of them. I have been missing posts in the WP Reader, but those are bloggers that post on a routine day, like I do, so I know to hunt them down. My one quirky item that happens every so often is I will do a comment and then I always proofread it before pushing “send” and I get the message “duplicate comment – you already said that!” Well, that is annoying, so I figure I have to change some words around and it will work like sometimes happens, but first I will go to the person’s actual blog site, not Reader and my comment is there from a minute before! WP sends it on its own – isn’t that special?

        1. Hugh W. Roberts avatar

          It may still be active, but has it been retired by WordPress, Linda? You can continue to use retired themes providing you don’t mind putting up with problems that WordPress will no longer fix because they have stopped supporting the theme. So if you’re happy to put up with those problems (like the ones you described) you can continue to use the theme, although other bugs and problems may affect the theme down the line. If your theme has been retired, you will find a notice on the theme’s info page that informs you it has been retired but will continue to receive security updates. Another way of finding out if it has been retired is that the theme will no longer be visible in the themes showcase.

          1. Linda Schaub avatar

            Hi Hugh – no it is still “active” as I checked on my theme’s page before I contacted WordPress when I wanted to confirm they only wanted me to change my background colors. They said “no worries”. I actually see a lot of people have the same theme as me, likely having chosen it for the same reason – it was simple. I also don’t access WordPress using a phone, just on my laptop. A few years ago I took out a second domain name (Walkin’ and Whatnot) in case, down the road, I’m not walking as much. While I hope to continue walking and writing about and photographing my nature walks for a long time, the weather kept me off the trails a lot last year. This year we have had equally as crazy weather and an abundance of ticks, so that may limit walks, plus I have been taking some watercolor classes and I am adding some of my paintings to my posts. So if I have to change my theme, I may go to the new domain name … I hope I don’t have to for a while though. I DISLIKE CHANGE!!! :)

            1. Hugh W. Roberts avatar

              I used to dislike change. But when I started focusing on embracing the positives that it brings and stopped making the excuses I was telling myself about not to make change, it wasn’t long before new opportunities and ideas came along. It was like opening a new door.

            2. Linda Schaub avatar

              Maybe I need to change my outlook on things Hugh. I admit that last week I turned 70. I have never disdained a big milestone birthday like I did this one. Even though I am an active person, I do not like the idea of being a septuagenarian!

            3. Hugh W. Roberts avatar

              Belated Happy Birthday, Linda.

            4. Linda Schaub avatar

              Thank you Hugh!

  10. Terri Webster Schrandt avatar

    Great words of encouragement, Hugh! Love the WP image–they are fun to create when you don’t have your own! Because of both yours and Debbie’s posts, I’ll be making the block theme switch May 3. You probably read I’ll take a short 2-3 day break if all He!! breaks lose, (which it won’t), but this way I can get everything organized. Today, I just copied everything from my menu, sidebar and my pages to a Word doc (Kept the formatting) so I can remember what I want to include. Oh and I see your sidebar includes your recommended blogs! I like that! I’ll add that unless the block theme enables that too!

    Funny, there are bloggers who confuse the block theme with the block editor. I know I did, until I read your post. Slaps forehead… In any case, you seem lighter now that you took care of this and lived to tell us about it. So thanks for that :) I’m reading your post on my computer rather than via jetpack app, so I can study your theme. Looking GREAT!

    1. Hugh W. Roberts avatar

      The WordPress image generator is a much better tool than it used to be, Terri. However, it can still often slip up when you want to add words to your image. I’ve had a few of those recently.

      Yes, I saw your announcement about switching your theme. I hope it all goes well and you don’t find it a difficult process. I’ve changed themes often over the years, and this last change is the easiest one I have made. I was surprised by just how easy it was. Plus, all that fear I had about switching turned into confidence and enjoyment. I enjoyed the whole process.

      Yes, in my earlier posts about switching from a Classic to a Block theme, many readers thought I was switching editors, rather than themes. It seems we hear or read the word ‘Block’ and automatically think of the editor. Given that the Block editor has been around since 2019, I was surprised that people thought I was still using the Classic editor. Now I’ve switched to a Block theme, I hope people will know which editor I am using.

      The Block editor looks much better on a desktop or laptop computer. Given that around 75% of my readers view my posts on a desktop or laptop, I’m glad that the majority of them are seeing the new theme in full.

      Thanks for your feedback on how my blog looks on your computer screen. I’m delighted with how it turned out.

      1. Terri Webster Schrandt avatar

        I’m sure my change will go well, thanks to your helpful hints, Hugh! Reading via jetpack, I may not see the differences, but its possible that it reads more seamlessly.

        I agree that the WP image generator has its moments, but one thing to know, is as you create the images, take care to delete any unused ones out of your media file. I’m sure you already know this, but WP creates them at 1080×1080. This may take up more storage in the media files than expected. As for adding text, I use PicMonkey for the post editing, adding the cropped and edited version into the media file and deleting the generated ones.

        1. Hugh W. Roberts avatar

          When you switch to a Block theme, you no longer have to remember to delete those other images that the WordPress image generator created, Terri. Only the one that you use is added to your media library. Another advantage of Block themes.

          1. Terri Webster Schrandt avatar

            I will be sure to check out that feature, thanks, Hugh!

  11. Betty avatar

    It seems WordPress has so many new features – including AI assisting – that I feel I need to take a course before undertaking changes. For example, I don’t know how to preview a new theme. Good for you for taking the plunge! I probably will, too, … someday!

    1. Hugh W. Roberts avatar

      Just about every theme has a ‘Preview’ button, Betty. So you can view what your blog will look like before hitting the ‘publish’ button. The problem I had was that there was too much choice. I should have stuck with the first theme I liked when trying them out.

  12. Danny Watts avatar

    Thanks for the encouragement, Hugh. I want a new theme, I regularity review the WP options, but fear is a strong motivator against change.

    1. Hugh W. Roberts avatar

      Fear was the biggest factor in my not switching themes, but once I started the work, I looked back and wondered why I had let fear stop me from switching, Danny. I wasted so much time concentrating on the negative aspects instead of the positives.

  13. Author Jan Sikes avatar

    Thanks for sharing, Hugh. Since I just underwent redesigning my entire website, including my blog, I’m good for a while. :) Great tips, though.

    1. Hugh W. Roberts avatar

      Good to hear your whole website has undergone a redesign, Jan. Some authors’ websites look as if they’re stuck in the 1990s (or even before).

  14. Girish Mani avatar

    In my case, I’m afraid and think that my new theme will not be perfect and also I’m too lazy to change the theme….😅

    1. Hugh W. Roberts avatar

      Did you know that you can preview your new theme with your blog’s information before hitting the publish button? So you can check for mistakes, etc. It’s so easy to do. I can’t help with laziness. You’re the only one who can help with that.

      1. Girish Mani avatar

        I know, but I start work on the theme, then I’ll not do until I finish…… Only that starting that should happen…

        Yes, I know the preview option, it’s a good feature😄👍

        1. Hugh W. Roberts avatar

          It took me an hour to change themes. Much better than it was years ago, when it could take you a whole weekend.

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