The other day I stayed up late to fill in the answers to a bloggy questionnaire that I intended to publish bright and early on Monday morning. But then I looked at my answers and realized that 1) I have no experience with makeup whatsoever; why the hell was I taking a makeup quiz?? (more on that to come*) and 2) it was outdated as shit, so even if I DID publish it, I couldn’t link to it anywhere.
Back to the drawing board.
Writing/blogging and connecting with other people who put their lives online has been one of my biggest joys, and I realized that when I published my 40 in 40 post last week and had tremendous feedback. But then there are days when I pour my heart and soul into creating a post and it’s like…
Cricket, cricket.
Then my brain spirals. Why am I doing this exactly? Certainly NOT for fame and fortune (I would have quit a long time ago if that were the case!). Believe it or not, blogging IS hard work—and if you want to be successful, you can’t stop learning, attending seminars, reading up on the latest social platforms, publishing frequently, etc. It doesn’t help that my day job is in influencer marketing, so sometimes it seems I can never get away. Nowadays, I’m hardly ever without a pen or sheet of paper, and am always thinking up ways to improve as an influencer, to get more sponsorships, to form genuine connections online. There are times when I struggle with topics to write about, if I’m saying too much or too little, and whether or not something I’m ready to publish will follow me around one day.
I imagine these are the everyday struggles of every blogger everywhere. Right?
I’m not even really sure why I’m writing this. I guess because I’m experiencing a case of blogger burnout lately. It happens to the best of us, especially anyone who publishes consistently, and there’s a part of me that wonders if I should pull back. That thought sometimes fills me with anxiety. What would I do if I didn’t have the chance to read and share and sit down with you all for a daily cup of coffee??
I think I would miss it all so much though.
*Anyway, back to the makeup. Over the weekend I confided in my friends that I have an eyebrow plucking problem and I got a recommendation on a brow pencil. Last night I walked out of the bathroom looking like Groucho Marx, and Bryan and I couldn’t stop laughing about what I look like with eyebrows. WHO KNEW it could change your face so much!
What’s happening with you all, sweet things, and have you ever experienced blogger burnout? Let me know in the comments!
I’ve been blogging for 15 years (*gasp*) and yes, I’ve experienced blogger burnout. I think it’s normal. There are times where I just don’t know what to write.
I think in that case, it’s always smarter to blog less (and take a break) than force it.
TBH, I tend to skip “filler posts” more often than not and rather read something more substantial, even if less frequently (it’s so hard to keep up with blogs as it is).
I’ve certainly come to enjoy and look forward to your posts, so I hope you won’t quit for good… but taking a step back is a very reasonable idea.
I feel you so much my dear. I experience blogger burnout a couple of times a year, easily. I almost hung it all up last summer. But at the end of the day I knew I’d miss it dearly if I walked away and I reminded myself that I’m mostly sharing my stories for myself to remember, the fact that others follow along is icing on the cake.
And I’m laughing too hard at the Groucho Marx eyes. You should’ve taken a picture, ha!
Oh my darling. Read my post today because I am suffering from my first case of it.. ever. And I get the crickets thing. I get it hard. But I read all the posts! And I know very little about makeup, sadly.
xoxo
I’m dealing with blogger burnout, too. Blogging is a lot of work. I’m still trying to figure out how to balance blogging and life, but I look forward to reading your posts 🙂
My blog is 11 years this year and a few years ago I had a LOT of traffic and comments, and it was just really great. Then it kind of tapered off when I was pregnant with Penelope and never really went back up? I was kind of quiet around my AFE so I feel like that was kind of my rest period. I’m trying really hard to get back into it and I’m not sure why. I do know I’m so glad I’ve stuck with it all of this time because now that I’ve lost a lot of memory, my blog has been a journal to refer back to and that’s been so great.
This August, I’ll have been blogging for 12 years – same blog and everything. So yes, I know blogger burnout. I think anyone can experience it, even if you’ve been blogging for less time. Sometimes it seems overwhelming – getting comments, views, trying to make some money (if that’s what you’re interested in), coming up with ideas, blog hopping, etc. I’m definitely blogging a little less this year to make room for other things in my life, but it can still be stressful. I’m taking it a day at a time though!
-Lauren
I think we have all gone through this. It’s hard to consistently pour you your heart and soul into something for years on end without burning out.
I’m more on the book end of blogging (than as an influencer) but when you don’t feel like reading or change genres it can be a problem.
And I think blogging is personal in a way that maybe some other hobbies aren’t so if you lose followers or don’t get comments/page views on things you put a lot into it feels like it’s about YOU. Even if your goal isn’t to be the biggest out there or make money it can be difficult to go on when you have to keep coming up with new content or drum up new followers.
I almost quit a few years ago, and had to make the decision that this is just for me. I don’t read my stats or try to get books or anything anymore. I have certainly lost followers and my page views are WAY down (but I think that’s the case across the board now) but I like my little group and it’s a hobby that makes me happy again – rather than work.
But I also understand that people blog for different reasons and if you wan to do it as a potential money maker you can’t have that attitude.
And one more thought lol…SM (especially IG) makes it seem like everyone is happy and everything is so easy and going great but you find out that most of these people are struggling just as much and burnout too.
{hugs} and I hope you get through it because you’rs is one of the only lifestyle blogs I follow because I love how you show your life just as it is – the ups and downs.
Karen @ For What It’s Worth
I totally get what you mean – sometimes I have so many ideas and then other times I feel like posting something feels more of an effort.
There is nothing wrong with taking a step back and taking a breather. I think we put a lot of pressure on ourselves to constantly be online and out there if you know what I mean.
What I love most about the blogs I follow is how they are real. They aren’t the FB version of life where only good stuff is paraded out there for the world to see. Blogs are personal and give more to our stories.
I’ve always enjoyed reading yours and your honesty.
Sending huge hugs.
xx
I have dealt with blogger burnout many times. It was a struggle for me to decide whether I wanted to focus more on being an influencer or a writer, and after much thought, I knew that writing was where my heart was. That meant taking a step back and deciding to only write on the blog when I felt moved to share something or when I knew that my tribe of readers would find value in it. Trying to force myself to stick to a generic full-time schedule just because other bloggers were doing it, wasn’t for me. Because of your day job, I can totally understand the pull to write more “influencer” content, but remember to stay true to yourself first and foremost. <3
I started my blog in 2011 and have experienced burnout several times yet always made my way back to it. This last time, which started maybe 2 years ago… I don’t think there’s a way back for me. Blogging has started to feel like a chore. I don’t *want* to share everything about my life anymore, especially in a forum where I have no control on the privacy. There are plenty of people whose posts I greatly enjoy but even reading and commenting feels like work at times. And yet the idea of shutting down my own space seems incredibly foreign to me.