Read time: 3 min.

It hasn’t been that long since I began this blog on a whim. Two Septembers ago, I registered the domain, bought a premium hosting plan, and started writing! At the time, I had no idea what to call my new adventure, but I decided to quit worrying and figure it out along the way. After all, there’s much to be said for just getting started.

Now, nearly two and a half years later, I’ve found the perfect name that captures the essence of what this blog is all about. Welcome to Hiding in Plain Sight!

If you’re an avid reader, you’ll know that Hiding in Plain Sight is the perfect name for my blog. I love to explore and write about things that often go unnoticed, from old schoolhouses and flowing wells to historic courthouses. But I don’t stop there- I dive into whatever sparks my curiosity. Long Line towers and abandoned Marsh supermarkets have bookended my weekend posts for some time now. I find them fascinating!

Another reason Hiding in Plain Sight is such a fitting title is that it reflects my journey with Bipolar II disorder. I was diagnosed fifteen years ago at eighteen, and I occasionally share my experiences here. Sometimes, I wonder if the people around me notice my internal struggles. The signs are there, but they often go unnoticed. They’re hidden in plain sight.

During my blog sabbatical, I’ve started working on a new project that dives deeper into my experiences wrangling the disorder and how I’ve begun to overcome it. It’s a personal and important part of my story, and I’m looking forward to sharing more about it with you. If you read my most recent post about Jay County’s Oak Grove schoolhouse, you got a sneak preview.

That said, I don’t think much will change around here. So far, I’ve rolled out a new header and updated my About page. I may design a logo later. I also made a new Facebook page, Ted Shideler – Hiding in Plain Sight, for people to more easily follow over there. Aside from that, I’m excited to keep doing what I’m doing with a new sense of identity and purpose.

I’ve always been jealous of blogs that feature creative names. Two of my favorites, Jim Grey’s Down the Road and BrandiB’s Make the Journey Fun have been enormous influences on my own efforts here. Now I can finally join their ranks as having a blog with a proper title! 

Thanks, again, for coming back to tedshideler.com. Welcome to Hiding in Plain Sight!