Tell Me Something Tuesday is hosted by Rainy Day Ramblings and discusses a wide range of topics from books to blogging.
Question: How do you keep going when blogging feels like too much?
Answer:
I’ll be blogging for 10 years this December so I’ve been through the full range of blogger emotions and seismic shifts in the community.
I made a conscious choice a few years ago to go back to treating this as a hobby. I was suffering from burnout and felt like I lost my voice in trying to keep up with all the hype and time commitments. It was either quit or change.
So, in short, I just don’t worry about it anymore. I blog when I feel like it or have something to say and take breaks when I need to. I've also started reducing arc's and any time sensitive posts.
There’s something about blogging that feels more like a job than other hobbies. In particular, book blogging – I guess because it’s ruled by hype and release dates – you get serious FOMO if you aren’t staying on top of things. And feel guilt if you can’t. It's also very tied up in our self worth. Like if you fail - as if it says something about you, personally.
Like I said, I can’t worry about that and continue anymore. I do this for free and I’m not going to let it take over my life to the point that I can’t do it.
Now the thing that weighs on me more is the drama. All the this is the right way to read/review threads. It’s so exhausting. I avoid most of it but I also feel one day/week/month away of getting caught in something with my next review. Some people don't just take it as one person's thoughts about a book.
And the authors and publishers treating reviewers like crap, the assuming we’ll do the heavy lifting for free or that we have some hidden, greedy motivation for blogging. Yes…yes….I spend at least 40 hours a week of my own time reading, reviewing, formatting, downloading photos, navigating SM, spending my own money for props, finished books for a free review copy. MUAH MUAH…you uncovered my master plan for book world domination.
via GIPHY
That’s one of the reasons I’m shifting more to library books over arc’s.
But I guess that’s a different post lol
I get through those moments but DM’ing with other bloggers and venting and MUTING on Twitter.
The mood usually passes in a day or two because I have the best group of followers and commentators that are drama free and are still here because we have a passion for books, reading and mutual respect for how difficult this is.
How to you make it through slumps or feeling overwhelmed with blogging?
I forgot to post something, oh this topic fits so well cos of that, lol.
ReplyDeleteOh yes about the heavy lifting, I just got an email like that and was all why should I do all the work, they made it sound like they were doing me a favor.
Ha! So timely lol
DeleteYeah - they pitch you, you do all the work and then they act like it helps your blog and it doesn't. Those posts always do the worst. I don't mind that if it's a book I love but I wish they understood the work we put in. they used to but now it's very impersonal. They don't even RT your post half the time.
Wow 10 years- that's awesome. And you're so right- we need t keep it in perspective as a hobby. Totally agree. I honestly think if I took a lot of ARC's I would enjoy this a lot less- all the pressure and drama. I just read what I want and I think that keeps me going, honestly.
ReplyDeleteHindsight! I was all in for years and I wish I had paced myself better - especially regarding arc's.
DeleteI've finally found what works for me though.
It definitely doesn't feel as overwhelming, when you treat it like a hobby (which I do). First of all, ten years -- wow! I hope I still want to do this in ten years, but right now, I still enjoy it. I do what I want, when I want, and I don't have any great expectations of taking over the world.
ReplyDeleteHow long have you been blogging? I've been following you for about a year but for some reason I thought you've been around for a long time.
DeleteThat's the right attitude!
I've been blogging for 5 years and I had to take a 1-year hiatus to get away from all the stress I was putting on myself to blog. I felt like I HAD to blog. Now that I'm back from the break with a new blog (I wanted to start fresh), I'm trying to keep in mind that this is a hobby and I don't need to post every single day. This has been freeing for me and now I only post 1 to 3 times a week and I don't stress over it.
ReplyDeletebut wow, 10 years! It's good to see you're still around since so many bloggers have decided to stop and it's sad because I miss their posts so much!
Genesis @ Whispering Chapters
I almost quit a few times and ended up taking several longish breaks.
DeleteFor me, I have to do it my way or uit. Even if it means less followers or page views.
I used to post 7 days a week, host features, auctions, giveaways and I basically didn't have a life outside blogging. It was fun and I don't regret it - but I couldn't keep that pace up indefinably - especially for something that I don't get paid for (& cost me money!).
I think a lot of bloggers buy into having to do it a certain way or you shouldn't do it at all. I know so many that quit just because they couldn't post 5-7 days per week. You don't need to!!
I'm glad you're still around and I hope you find what works for you!
Congrats on the approaching anniversary. I also started my blog about 10 years ago.
ReplyDeleteYou raise a vital subject. We all face fatigue and despair at times and deciding whether to continue depends on our attitude: why are we blogging? What do we hope to accomplish? Seeing others wrestle with this is educational.
That's great! So few of us old timers left lol
DeleteYes, page views are great. You don't want to blog into a void but if I'm going to continue and not burn out I had to change my focus and attitude.
Huh! What do you know, I've been blogging for 10 years this April and its only now, reading this, that I realised it.
ReplyDeleteNot nearly as popular a medium (or so it seems to me) as it was, I know lots of bloggers I once visited have left their blogs in favour of Instagram whilst others have just disappeared.
How to you make it through slumps or feeling overwhelmed with blogging?
What a great question. I suppose to use that war slogan that seems so popular at the moment I just 'Keep calm and carry on'.
It really isn't a big thing now. It's more about influencing and pretty pictures via IG or YouTube now.
DeleteI feel like we had a big shuffle and we're what's left lol
happy 10 years Tracy! I'm so glad you are still around. I adore your blog.
I've been very lucky *knock on wood* that I haven't really been a part of much drama (or really any). I agree with you on treating as a hobby. I think for the last few years I've been doing exactly that. It's a hobby and even though I do feel FOMO, I'll get over it and enjoy what I got or what little comes my way.
ReplyDeleteI haven't been directly involved in any dram (also knocks on wood lol) but several of my friends have and I think we're in this era of just hurling accusations at each other and assigning motives.
DeleteI keep hearing authors complain about negative reviews and saying we're trolls or just trying to get free books and seriously?? Do you know how hard & costly) this hobby is???
I blog ahead a lot. I usually have anywhere from 40 to 60 posts already done and ready to publish. I post a lot of different things to keep it fun. I try not to get caught up in all the book drama. I get books that I want to read and review them when I want and how I want. If someone...author or another blogger has a problem in how I do something I just don't care. I blog because I want to. I share things that I want to. if others like what I put out there, that's wonderful but if someone has a problem with it, that's their problem, not mine.
ReplyDeleteI'm with you. I don't care if anyone likes my blog lol I have to do what's fun for me or else I can't continue. I won't go back to treating it as an obligation.
DeleteThe blog eats up so much of my time these days, stopping me from reading, watching films, catching up with TV shows, scrapbooking etc. I'm sort of in a critical phase where I will be cutting back content to free up more time, to see if that works. Otherwise at the end of the year I might be looking at the possibility of giving up the blog. I'll see how it goes though.
ReplyDeleteI've had to learn that it doesn't HAVE to be ALL IN or nothing.
DeleteI've thought about quitting but then I miss everyone and this outlet but I just can't keep up with the daily grind or reviewing everything.
Oh gosh, keeping up with blogging can be so tiring. I've definitely gotten to the point where I try not to worry about how much I'm posting and when. I do want to get better at blogging ahead because that's just helpful for me. I do try and focus on the people that are nice and doing their own thing and don't care about the drama. We're all here because we love books, or whatever else we blog about, and everyone should be respectful of that.
ReplyDelete-Lauren
www.shootingstarsmag.net
It really is. I'm in a really good place with it right now though.
DeleteI'm totally with you on this! When I get overwhelmed or in a slump, I've found that the best thing to do is just go with it. I allow myself time to decompress and then get back to it when I feel up to it.
ReplyDeleteYes! I don't fight it anymore. It usually lasts 1-2 weeks and then I miss it.
DeleteI hate the drama. I really hate the drama.
ReplyDeleteAnd burn out is so real... I mean, I deleted my first book blog and all associated social media when I hit a complete wall with book blogging, reading and general exhaustion. I started Sunny Buzzy books 5 months later because after a break I realised I missed it but I was back to the very beginning of my 'blogging journey' as it was too late to get my previous blog stuff back and in the end that was a good thing. I was able to do what I want and come at it with a fresh perspective.
Now, I'm with you. I'll post what I want. This isn't a job. I'm not paid for this. I started falling back into the ARC/Tour trap and then had enough of that earlier this year after a few stressy experiences.
10 years is one hell of an achievement!
It makes me sad that bloggers feel like they have to do it ALL or not at all.
DeleteThere's a lot less pressure now and less *how to blog right* and that helps.
I'm at a really great place with it now. Especially with using the library more.
Not many bloggers make it the long haul to ten years, so congratulations for that! I like that you've decided to approach it more like a hobby and that that has been working out so well for you since ^.^
ReplyDeleteEveryone has to find their own groove. What works for me might not work for someone else. I'm glad most of the "how to blog" rules have died out.
DeleteI'm still trying to figure out the right balance of how to blog, I guess. But I like you, at this point I feel like I've got a great group of followers. So even when Twitter is a hot mess, my blog is still my happy place lol.
ReplyDeleteIt was so different when I started. You could get 20 new followers PER WEEK. easily. That kind of following is pretty much over now. I'm comfortable with my little niche. I can't blog the way I used to anyway. It was too draining.
DeleteQuote: "There’s something about blogging that feels more like a job than other hobbies. In particular, book blogging – I guess because it’s ruled by hype and release dates – you get serious FOMO if you aren’t staying on top of things. And feel guilt if you can’t. It's also very tied up in our self worth. Like if you fail - as if it says something about you, personally."
ReplyDeleteSO TRUE.
Even when you try to stay away from drama and don't let yourself be swept away by hype, or are naturally resistant to it (that would be me LOL), book blogging can be stressful. And when you can't seem to recommend books to your friends (that would ALSO be me 😂 - most of the times), it feels like you've failed and you have no real purpose and why are you still sweating over those reviews? But...there's always the one person who listens (maybe even one who will never comment and let you know they did LOL). And you did create something. And you escaped your problems for a while. And you still have people to talk to, if virtually. I think that's what pushes me forward.
Now, we have to celebrate those 10 years in December - don't we? 🤔 😉
Yeah - I don't antagonize over reviews or anything but even so - we do all hope all this effort leads to sales and helping spread the word about what we love. That doesn't happen with my other hobbies. No one judges me if a plant dies lol
DeleteBut I love it and all the people!
I may be late to it but this is a brilliant post. I am majorly impressed at how long you've kept going with blogging and I think treating blogging as the hobby it is for most of us is the best way to keep going. I think we all have times we aren;t motivated to blog and although I feel guilty when I neglect a hobby I do find I don't feel as bad about as when I neglect blogging but I work 40 hours a week, I spend time with friends and family and actually reading books so no, I don't always have the motivation to spend blogging after that.
ReplyDeleteI do agree that many people view bloggers as free labour yet berate us and make us feel bad for wanting to benefit in some way, like free arcs. We aren't paid for our time and I applaud the bloggers who are committed enough to work to get paid for their time. Me? I'm happy with a free arc, but I'm not going to ask for one if my small effort of reading and reviewing it and promoting it about is not appreciated. Maybe you're right, maybe library books are the way forward with this one?
Yup! I don't think they understand just how much work goes into it. A "free book" requires a lot of time investment on our part.
DeleteThis is such a good philosophy to have - good for you! There was a book that I had pre-ordered and was going to read quickly and review right away, but when it got delayed in the mail by a month (and other difficulties ensued) I felt like a failure and lost motivation to read it. Considering how much I looked forward to reading it, it was a huge shame. But I've realized that it's okay if I wait to read it until I am ready for it, and it doesn't have to be at the height of its popularity - it just sometimes takes a while to get to that stage.
ReplyDeleteI realized I was doing that more and more. NEEDING the book then forgetting about it but still being stressed by the hole thing and doing it again for the next book.
DeleteI had to back off and find some kind of balance because it was more stress than fun. I do still request arc's but I only request what I think I'll like and not more than I can comfortably take on.
The library has been so freeing - realizing you can read a book a year later and it's FIIIIINE. Teh world doesn't end lol
That's one of the reasons I decided to add more Harry Potter posts to my blog. They're more fun to write for me, and they pull in three to sometimes five times the views, so I can blog less and still keep my numbers up to sometimes get decent ARCs, although like you... I've been waiting an borrowing books after they've been published, rather than stress out about the ARCs. 👍✨
ReplyDelete