I’m a little late posting today (tonight), but I think it’s time to talk about the elephant in the room. Or the elephant that’s not in the room…at least not regularly.
I mean the blog.
For all 6 of my “loyal” readers, don’t freak out—I’m not quitting!—but I am sure you guys have noticed that my posts have been few and far between lately.
And I am simultaneously annoyed and relieved by that.
I hate that I’ve been so busy and overwhelmed at work that I want very little to do with the computer when I get home. I hate that I haven’t been able to comment on—heck, even read!—my favorite blogs regularly.
A big part of my haphazard posting is due to time. I just don’t have a lot of it.
But another part of my absence is due to the b-word: burnout.
Let’s Talk About Burnout
I am still very proud of A Cup of Catherine. I loved working with Melissa, and I adore the lovely little space we created together. I love writing, and I am so indebted to this beautiful, inspiring community for your support and “conversation.”
So, I miss that.
But I also think that after spending so much of my energy and free time on my redesign and transferring my content that I just lost some inspiration.
I’m itching to get that inspiration back, but for now, I’m just rolling with it. And living my life.
I know eventually things will fall back into the right rhythm, so I hope you all will still be around! And I promise, even if I’m not commenting or sharing, I am reading—at least trying to!
Anyway, since it’s still thinking out loud Thursday, I thought I’d share a few “tips” (if you can call them that) for dealing with burnout.
Tips for Dealing with Blog Burnout
1. Roll with it.
If you are hit with major writer’s block, then take a break. Roll with it! I’ve posted here and there, but I haven’t been sweating it when another few days pass and I have no ideas for a post. I’ve enjoyed relaxing with my family and wouldn’t have it any other way right now!
2. Just create.
On the other hand, if you’re low on inspiration, just create something. Paint a picture. Write a song. Clip some magazines and make a collage. Just get that creative energy flowing somehow and eventually an idea for your blog will come your way.
3. Repurpose or redesign
Maybe you have the opposite problem I do and have an outdated space. Work with a designer or come up with something on your own. A fresh slate may be just what you need to get out of that funk.
4. Rediscover your “why”
Think about why you started blogging in the first place. Was it for a creative outlet? To document your weight loss or eating disorder recovery? To share your family recipes? Whatever your original motivation was, maybe it’s time to look back to where you came from.
5. Reach out
Contact some of your blog friends about collaborating on a recipe roundup or fitness post. Or, if somebody is soliciting guest posts, take the chance to bring your voice to a whole new audience. For every reader who’s heard your story or tried your favorite recipe, there are dozens more who don’t know you.
Lucky for me, blogging is a hobby. Sure, I’d love to earn some extra cash, but I do this primarily for fun, community, and release from my day-to-day life.
Whether you blog or not, we all experience burnout. I hope these tips help you!
So tell me…
- How do you deal with burnout?
- When your schedule gets super busy, what’s the first thing to go?
I feel you, Catherine. I think it’s less the writing and more so all the extra stuff that goes along with it. It’s becoming harder and harder to find time to do! Like you said, it’s a hobby for me so I try to keep that in mind.
I think these tips are great. I think rolling with resistance can be helpful when we need a breather.
Definitely! Writing is usually the easy part, but editing, taking photos, creating graphics, and scheduling social media is like a job in itself.
I feel this so much. One of the hardest things for me is going, ‘Why do I do this? Do I do this to just pump posts out or because I truly love it?’ I think I can tell when I’m just really not inspired to write a post, and tonight even though I was going to write a post, I think you convinced me to step back and just not do it today. 🙂 Mine is kind of a half hobby/half business. I don’t make any money to speak off, but I kind of just do product reviews from time to time. And that’s about as much as this little blogger can handle. I don’t want it to ever lose its wonder and joy, and if it does, something has to change… <3
Good decision! I feel like readers can tell when we put up a post just to have something to post! I love your blog because I can tell your posts always come from the heart. And how great that you’re able to make a little $ doing it! I agree, as long as blogging is fun, then I will keep doing it. But once it isn’t, then something needs to change.
Could have written this post myself. Like we already talked about, my redesign left me tired and less inspired from all the work. Plus this was just a busy summer! What’s great about blogging is that it will still be here. There isn’t some expiration date. And when we hopefully do have time and the inspiration again, our blogs will be waiting.
For me, guilt is the hardest part. I WANT to be here more but time is just not on my side in this matter! Maybe fall and winter will be good to us. Keep your chin up, friend!
I deal with the guilt, too, but for me it’s more feeling guilty FOR blogging (when I could be talking to my husband, reading, cleaning, etc.) rather than being away from the blog. Cut yourself some slack, girl! Motherhood is hard, especially when you move across the ocean! 🙂
All of these are truly great tips. Just rolling with it is hard, but necessary to come back better than ever. Also creating definitely helps. When I feel uninspired or overwhelmed I just find a recipe from another blog I’ve been meaning to make and just make it for fun. No intentions with it other than to enjoy the process! And eating it of course 🙂 You’ll get there Catherine!
I am amazed how you and other food bloggers constantly share creative recipes! As a reader, it’s tough to imagine you guys have “blah” days, but as a blogger, I totally understand. I think simply making (and eating!) another blogger’s recipe is a good way to remind yourself how much you enjoy cooking – plus, you never know where you might find inspiration!
Thank you for these tips <3 I've been struggling with the b-word too lately and this post is like a little pat on the back of reassurance. When I struggle with this I try to take a step back and focus on other things in my life, I like to get out in nature, do some kind of art, read, do yoga. Sometimes it also helps me to just get in the kitchen and create something with no intentions of sharing so no worrying about measurements or how it looks, just going with it.
Sending you lots of love and blog-spirational vibes! Make sure to take some time for self-care too!
I think it’s so important to do those things: enjoy nature, read, reflect in other ways, and spend time with our family/friends! I can imagine it’s even easier to struggle when you’re constantly creating recipes. Sending you some positive, “blog-spirational” vibes, too! <3
I totally feel you on the burnout! It happens to us all!
Sometimes you just need a break to refresh and recharge your mind and remind yourself how much you miss it!
But for now? Be sure you take some time out to look after you! xo
Definitely! What’s the point of blogging about our lives if we don’t take the time to LIVE them and relax when needed? 😉
Burnout is so common, I felt a bit of a blogging burnout this week and just felt no time to even open my laptop with my new schedule. When my schedule gets super hectic, which it most definitely will be in the upcoming weeks, I try to plan, pray, and fit in self-care time!
Yeah, sometimes it’s better to just put the laptop away. I’d rather take a break and not post at all than try to force something! Hope you’re getting used to your new schedule!
I think it’s so normal for bloggers to ebb and flow with their posting. I have no idea how any blogger can keep up with 4-5+ posts per week ALL THE TIME. And I think it’s normal for blogging to slow down a bit in the summer months. But the great thing about blogging and having blog readers like bloglovin’ is, I don’t feel like it matters if someone posts a little less, because when they do post, that post still pops up in my reader. It’s not like I unsubscribe from a blog just because their posting frequency goes down. I’m sure your blogging mojo will find you again soon! 🙂
Agreed! I recently read something about the “summer slump” which makes me feel better about seeing my stats drop like a fly. Not that it’s all about the stats, but you know, it’s fun to have a tangible measure of who’s reading and whatnot.
I’m the same way with Bloglovin’. In fact, it’s how I’ve rediscovered some blogs I thought no longer existed.