Do I have Bloggers burnout?

Its been just over 18 months since I started this blog and I had absolutely no idea what I was getting in to. If you write a blog you will know what I mean. It’s all consuming, you think about posts in the shower, driving and whilst cooking dinner. You get sucked in to spending more and more time on social media, engaging with other bloggers, brands and people. You go somewhere or do something with the family and are always trying to capture the perfect picture to share on Instagram or put into a blog post. There’s nothing wrong with that, I enjoyed it, still do and I’m sure there will be those of you reading it who agree. I can remember reading posts about bloggers block, bloggers burnout when I was relatively new to the scene, thinking how can you run out of things to say, to write about. My head was full of ideas. These days I find myself staring at a blank screen more often than not, wondering what words are going to pour onto the paper this time. I’ve never really manage to get in to planning and scheduling posts. I guess it’s not the way I am, my life isn’t really planned, I prefer to go with the flow and this is an extension of my life.

Bloggers burnout

Time is a huge issue for me at the moment. I love this little space of mine and I’m so grateful to it for the friends it has brought in to my life and the opportunities it has brought me, however it takes so much time. With working part time I just don’t have the hours to put into it to make it as successful as it could be. I don’t want to be tapping away in the day when I could be spending time with Ava who is growing and changing so much so very quickly. I  struggle to do any in the evenings now as it was becoming and issue between me and James. He doesn’t understand why I do it. I can’t explain it either. All I know is that I’ve spent so many hours on it, so much time that to stop would be such a waste. 

I love blogging, it has given me back a bit of the me that I lost after having children, I have a personality again that’s not just a being a Mum. I’m proud of this little place I have created. So I’ve come to the conclusion that maybe I have bloggers burnout, writers block, whatever you call it. Please tell me any advice or tips you may have to help me get over it? 

 

27 responses to “Do I have Bloggers burnout?”

  1. Lucy Smith says:

    Aw huni this is my life right now as well. I don’t do anything in the day either but I do evenings until one night comes where I flake out on the couch at 8pm!
    I’ve stopped focusing on growing in to a big blog because I just don’t have the time or dedication. I don’t want every special moment to be all about posed photographs or sponsorship opportunities and that scares me so much!
    I would say be picky about what opps you take, unless you really want it then don’t do it and focus on writing about what’s in your head and personal stuff that might help others or they can relate to? Think about what you’d enjoy writing about and do that? Like right now I am loving writing about festivals as I’m off to Download next week so I look forward to doing those posts?
    Hope you feel better soon but like I said at Blog Camp, you are so not alone with this!
    If you need to chat you know where I am 🙂
    Lucy
    X x

  2. I feel exactly the same. I just feel so unwell and am not doing what I really want to with the blog. I don’t have the strength or energy and feel burnt out and unsure what to write about. Hopefully it’s something we can both get over with time and keep at it..one post at a time when you can.

    Angela from Daysinbed

  3. Stacey says:

    I don’t have any advice, but please know you’re not alone. Writing is all I think about sometimes, but am often stuck for ideas. I work full time too, so finding time is so difficult. I just write when I can and make sure what I write stays true to me, which is writing stories. I try not to get hung up over the fact that I don’t get review opportunities as that wasn’t the reason I started writing. I love your blog – keep writing.

  4. RachelSwirl says:

    I think what you’ve written it the opening of the door… admitting you have a burnout issue is the first step and you will begin to feel like writing again shortly. IT IS HARD always writing, I have been concerned that my blog seems more linkies than posts but the linkies are posts… oh I dunno it just feels like there is loads going on (sound familiar?)

  5. I’m barely writing at the moment, through choice, but what you’ve said was me early last year. Take a step back, write when you’re inspired to and don’t worry about it. Your blog is beautiful and like you said you do it as an extension of your life so you need to be living life in order to have the blog. Keep things that way round and you’ll soon be back in it!xxc

  6. Ah I’m sad to read this post but I can imagine that every single blogger, or in fact everyone with a semi-pro hobby, must have this at times. I’ve only just started really and I completely underestimated the amount of time needed to keep “in” as your blog swiftly becomes a brand presence. Ultimately I think the writing is what separates you from others as that’s the part unique to you, so it’s important to reconnect with that in a way that YOU love. When it becomes forced or not fun then it’s not worth doing. Your blog is fab though and shows no signs of an off patch even if that’s how you feel.

    Epic counselling session there on about 3 hours sleep, ignore 90% of it 😉

  7. Lisa Savage says:

    Do you have something to say that you just aren’t? I found the same thing happened to me when we were going through O’s Autism diagnosis and I didn’t want to talk about it on my blog. Not being honest in my writing meant it felt like wading through treacle just to get a post out. Maybe there’s a post sitting in your head that’s blocking the rest? I didn’t realise this until a fellow blogger suggested that’s what it might be. As soon as I got that one post written (which was hard work I can tell you), things started to move again. Hope you find your way whatever the solution xx #picknmix

  8. wendy says:

    Aww I know exactly what you mean. Blogging takes so much time and effort and it can really take over your life. Whenever I feel like I don’t know what to say or it’s getting too much I take a break from it all. I sign off for a few days or a week, get back in touch with the real world and I always come back feeling motivated with fresh ideas. Hope you get your blogging mojo back soon xx #picknmix

  9. Geraldine says:

    I’m only 3 weeks into blogging but I can completely understand what you’re saying. I didn’t realise how all consuming blogging actually was. There’s so much too it than just writing something and sticking it up on your blog and I don’t think many realise this. My husband while incredibly supportive can easily get peeved in the evenings when my head is stuck into blogging and I don’t hear what he says. But blogging has become important to me since its given me back a part of me. He has his hobbies and I have mine again finally. Personally I need to find a balance on time with blogging. I’m hoping if I use my time more efficiently it won’t become a stress. But I completely understand how you feel you have burnout. My only advice which goes for so many things you get burnout with, is to just step back, just a day or two and get perspective on why your doing and how you can dp use your time better. We all need a holiday. #picknmix

  10. Sharon says:

    I’m only just starting out – my blog is only a month old and I am already staggered by how much it sucks you in and how many things there seem to be to do all at once!! As such a newcomer I really don’t feel qualified to advise plus my kids are older now. They are 18, 14 and 10. My 14 year old is already saying how I seem to be on my phone all the time and that is quite a statement coming from a teenager!

    However, I do know what it’s like to worry about something taking you away from your kids – they only have one childhood. Would it be possible for you to cut back on the promotion side and focus on expressing your creativity through your writing and possibly your photography? Could you still feel fulfilled by this but it would be less time consuming? Then you would have a stock of lovely material once you feel like getting back into it? As I said, I’m really new to this so many apologies if that is a ridiculous suggestion. Hope you work it out XX #PicknMix

  11. Aw, I have no tips other than waiting for it to pass (and it will). I blog for much the same reason: it’s something of my own, in a life that’s centred on somebody else right now.

  12. Crummy mummy says:

    I feel like this and then something happens – a great collaboration offer or a significant climb in Tots 100 – and I get my major back – until the next time!! #picknmix

  13. As such a newbie myself my advice is limited, but I do understand, … I was intrigued by the title of this post as I thoughr you may have some pearls of wisdom to share on getting over the hurdle but i feel reassured that even the most experienced bloggers find it tough too. As you say what has struck me is the time it takes. I nag my family all the time about how much human interaction they miss out on by being permanently stuck to an electronic device or communicating only via social media and here I am doing exactly the same. I think the most important thing is to stay true to yourself. It is something you love and you should do it when you feel like it and not just for the sake of it, which having looked at your blog seems like you are very good at. Some blogs are full of just day to day trivia, whereas I prefer quality over quantity. At least that’s the aim anyway. #picknmix

  14. sarah says:

    Writing takes a lot of out of you. I feel like this a lot of the time, but I tend to get bursts of creativity and get a load scheduled in all once. Is there any time in the day that you could reserve? Maybe bath/bedtime? Even if it’s just 40 minutes. You could draft a post on two days, do some linkies on another, schedule your tweets/facebook on another. You’ll carry on capturing your memories every day, because that’s what we all want to do at the end of the day. Chin up xxx #picnmix

  15. I get this, usually when I see other people getting amazing opportunities and I’m supposed to be grateful that someone wants me to sell my soul to a bingo site for 23p and a mouldy baked bean. But at the end of the day, my children have an amazing record of their childhood to look back on, so I’ll keep going and the bingo site can keep their mouldy baked bean.
    Nat.x

  16. Oh I completely understand what you’re saying and funnily enough I was saying to some friends last night that once you commit to being a blogger it really is more than a full-time job – it becomes your life. I’m only 6 months in ut I’m beginning to se how I need to structure more carefully as it’s so full on. I have my favourite linkys and I try to stick to just those each week or every other week but not too many. Having a tribe has helped as we really support each other and that spur on the low moments. I must just say, though, that I adore the look of your blog – great layout and so clean and fresh! #PicknMix

  17. I’m sorry but I can’t offer any tips, as I still feel a newbie and in the honeymoon bubble of having loads of ideas to blog. I do though understand the balancing act blogging brings with everyday life. I only post once a week at the moment but I even struggle with that after a heavy week at work and the hubby’s been working a week of late shifts. I hope you find your blogging mojo again, in whatever form that is, and it needs to be for you! I really enjoy reading your posts and seeing your Insta photos, and look forward to seeing more. X #PicknMix

  18. I totally understand where you are coming from. Its hard to find the time while not sacrificing your family. Infact I am writng this as my husband and 4 month old are alseep. I squeeze in my most productive work at this tme of night. I haven’t got to the stage of bloggers burnout yet. I hope you recover from this and get bck into it again. Sometimes it good to have a break and recharge xx

    #picknmix

  19. Tim says:

    What you’re feeling is a common experience for bloggers. I’ve been at it in various guises for 9 years now and those ebbs and flows are perfectly natural. Sometimes life gets in the way. Sometimes the ideas suddenly dry up. But that’s okay. Take a few days off, a week, a month, whatever. The beauty of blogging is that it will always be there for you when you’re ready to come back.

    Personally I’m quite good at compartmentalising, so when I find the inspiration lacking I just switch off completely and do something else for a day or two. When I stop worrying about where the next idea is going to come from, they invariably start flowing again. That doesn’t work for everyone, but it’s what I’ve found works for me.

  20. I seem to be in the midst of bloggers burnout as I can’t find anything to say. When I started everything was a post but now o have become more reserved which is difficult when your a blogger. #picknmix xx

  21. Sometimes we all need a break and too away. Some days I am blank and leave it. Putting pressure to write makes me not want to do it so I just go with it. Normally just general life something happens out of the blue given me thar material. If all else fails I go to structured links with a theme to help me get ideas X #picknmix

  22. When ever I have these moments, I go back to paper and pen. For some reason it flows better for me without a bright screen in my face sometimes, plus pen and paper seems a little less anti-social towards Si so I don;t feel quite so mean for ignoring him all night 😉

    Stevie xx

  23. I feel like this a bit at the moment, I’m joining in with the linkies but I am not posting anything that I want to post. I have loads of ideas but I just don’t know what to write. Hang in there lovely I am sure it will pass, you have such an amazing blog, you’ve done such a good job. Maybe take a little break? xx (Thanks for hosting) #Picknmix

  24. I know exactly how you feel, this is me right now! I love my blog so much but when I’m not sitting next down until 9pm after a long day at work (I work part time too) I find it so hard to write away. Sometimes my head seems too full!! X

  25. Maria says:

    I think we all go through this at some point. For me, I take it as a sign that I just need to step back and have a break from it for a few days and not even think about switching my laptop on.

    I am sure yours will come back, I guess the best thing to do is not to force it and let it come naturally #PickNMix

  26. Silly Mummy says:

    Yes, I am struggling with time & feeling overwhelmed at the moment. I never got into scheduling and planning posts either. I’m actually not short of ideas currently, but feel so stressed that I struggle to focus and actually write them. I don’t know the solutions! #picknmix

  27. Oh this is me too – I’m lacking the motivation and then when I do write something I look at it and think that’s rubbish and then delete it!! I need to find my mojo again too. Please don’t think you are alone xx #PicksnMix

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