Blogger burnout. Sounds scary, right? Well, to be honest it is. For the new bloggers reading this you might not have had this experience yet. You might even think ‘this will never happen to me. I love my blog.’ Good, but give it time. There will be a moment, a month, a week, an hour that you think about throwing in the towel, giving up, walking away and not coming back to it. It’s blogger burnout and it happens to the best of us.
The worst part is that it is usually unpredictable and to your readers it may appear sudden, maybe even a little rash. Your blog might go dormant for a week, a month, or maybe you close it down all together. Either way the ultimate reasoning is usually the same – you don’t take pleasure in blogging the way you used to. It has become a burden and a chore, not a pride and fun hobby.
Since this is an inevitable byproduct of blogging and life it’s best to face this possibility head on. What will you do when your blog begins to weigh on you? How will you handle the anxiety you feel to post more, write better, and interact more? This week’s Fashion/Beauty Friend Friday questions are all about blogger burnout. What it feels like, how to cope and when to step away.
(Sidenote: this topic was partly in response to a friend who decided this week to stop blogging, taking us all by surprise. We’ll miss her posts, but at least she’ll still be reading ours.)
1. How many hours a week do you spend blogging? Has that number changed since you started blogging? Whoa. I have no idea how many hours I spend since they are sporadic and never in one solid chunk of time. I’ll be at work, sitting on hold with some customer service rep and blogging or reading other’s posts. If I has to estimate I would say about 15 to 20 hours a week – between taking pictures, editing them, writing posts, editing interviews, coordinating FBFF and reading other blogs.
And yes, the amount of time spent on this has increased dramatically since I started the blog. It’s increased dramatically especially this year when I decided to get really serious about ModlyChic and fashion blogging.
2. There is always more you can do, write, read, comment on… how do you limit your time spent on these tasks? When I’m scrolling through my google reader and clicking through to my favorite posts to leave a comment I try to set a time limit. Saying ok it’s 12:15 I eat lunch at 12:30 so I have 15 mintues and then I need to get up and walk away. And then what I try to do is set aside one afternoon a week to work on pre-posting the non-outfit-of-the-day posts. This helps me have peace of mind during the week and gives me a set time in which to get things done – like any other freelance deadline.
3. Have you experienced Blogger burnout yet? How have you dealt with that? Yup! I went through it for the first time back in October. For about a week I thought about not blogging anymore. I posted about my lethargy and my ideas to overcome it. (see my post here)
But one of the things I decided to do contrary to my list of ‘I shall overcomes’ was to not stress the daily posts for awhile until I got out of the funk. It was revitalizing in a way I never thought it would be. Before too long I was back to blogging as usual and feeling the drive again. If it happens again I will be stepping back a little instead of pushing through with half-hearted posts.
Another great way to step back but still get new content up on your blog is to work with guest bloggers. They can fill the void while you recoup your senses.
4. This time of the year is always a lot busier than any other time. Will your blogging change as a result? I don’t stress the daily blog posting and the daily outfit pics as much anymore. And I certainly won’t be stressing that as the holidays draw nearer. I also plan to do a lot more pre-posting and product reviews. Things that have been pending for a couple weeks and can go live at any time without losing some of their appeal.
I’m toying around with a guest blogger series in the second half of December… but am not sure how that would pan out so I’m still on the fence about that one.
5. Could you forsee a moment in which you are not blogging anymore? How would you identify that it’s time to walk away? It’s time to walk away when blogging because more of a burden than a pleasure. I blog because I like fashion and I love to write. I used to write little stories and novels for family and friends that I did nothing with other than save them in the drafts portion of my email and in a file on my desktop. This fills that desire. But it wouldn’t be worth it if the stress and struggles were more dominant than the joy blogging brings.
Learn more about Friend Friday and view the previous discussion topics here. Interested in joining the group? Just submit your email address to the Google Group to become a member.
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{ 30 comments… read them below or add one }
I should limit myself to 15 minute increments, that might help! Although I'm so long-winded that 15 minutes probably wouldn't be enough time for me.
I will miss you, too. : ) You have been such a wonderful friend and fabulous blogging buddy.
Katy, I'm glad when you hit the wall, you chose to step back, rather than force posts. It really is the best way to feel renewed energy and love for yout blog. Plus, you can't go…where woulf #FBFF be without you?!
Great topic!
♥ V
http://www.gritandglamour.com
twitter: @gritandglamour
Hi Katy I'm so embarrassed: I didn't read your answers before I posted my own and I'm spending waaaaaaaaay too much time on my blog! I keep thinking I'll reach a plateau and won't spend as long but – hey – what I've realised by doing this exercise is, the thought (right now) of giving up my blog is more 'stressful' than the 'stress' of doing it. I guess what I'm saying is, these questions today have made me realise how much I'm getting out of doing it.
My burnout, so far, always seems to pass.
I've only just virtually met you but like Grit &Glamour said, I'm glad you're still blogging! Thank you for letting me take part in this.
jill @ http://streetstylelondon.blogspot.com/2010/12/friend-friday-bloggers-burnout.html
Good idea how you limit your time…Great topic and I cannot wait to read everyones opinions!
First time doing FBFF!!! Love your answers!
http://www.afashionfixation.blogspot.com
Katy, I wanted to thank you again fr coming up with these weeks questions. Once again FBFF chose topics that I normally would have been hesitant to pursue and allowed me to open my heart.
Tashrin from Toronto, Canada
I'm using my blog to fulfill my desire to write, too! However, I'm anxiously looking forward to being done school (and thus writing extensively each day very dry boring analysis of literature) so I can go back to more creative pursuits. I'll be interested to see if the novel sitting in the back of my head influences my blog at all, once I get a chance to start writing it!
I never realized how much time I spent blogging either until I really had to sit down and think about it! A great way to fight blogger burn out is to take step back from it for awhile and when you do get back into things, try new things, features, etc. I find that brings the excitement back to your blogging!
This is a great topic! I think for many of us, blogging is a creative outlet and creativity sometimes comes in spurts; I think unless you are a fulltime blogger and it is your primary source of income, that its okay to step back and wait for inspirationto come back. We are all human and need time to recharge sometimes.
Great topic! I haven't been blogging long and already I can see how this could happen. Establishing healthy boundaries is key for me. Speaking of boundaries, I should be getting ready for work soon. Happy Friday!
Just read your last answer, which is nearly identical to mine. I've definitely experienced blogger burnout before, and it is nice to know that I am not the only one.
I have the two little ones, so I only get about 15 minutes at a time for blogging. I'm grateful though, 'cause I could easily get drawn in all day.
Great set of question Katy
I love those burnt-out-blogger photos of you, they definitely had me chucking as they're a perfect visual of exactly how I feel sometimes!!
Great topic and good timing! (At least from my perspective
I love your tip on allowing X minutes to read, write, etc. and then you are done. That's something I'm really bad with and should start doing more so 10 minutes of blog reading doesn't turn into an hour.
~Nicole
Katy–thanks for posing this particular set of questions. It couldn't have been more timely…and it makes me feel like I haven't created a swamp I don't know how to get of.
Woa, its interesting how blogging can become a full time job almost. That's when you know you need a team of bloggers!
Fifteen minute increments sound like a smart idea. Thanks so much for these questions – I feel like they came at just the right time for me.
When I was answering, I was thinking of my position–as a newbie, hobby blog person. And then I read Grit and Glamour's recent post, and I felt so bad for all the people that are REALLY trying to make a career of it! What competition!
I spend more than I should with little ones but less than I'd like. Maybe if I had time on the weekend that would help.
I saw these posts on the "30 for 30" Google List and thought it was a cool idea!
~Bevin
those snap shots are just awesome! pre-posting has saved me so many times, it's a godsend.
Thanks for posting these questions!
This is my first time participating and I'm excited to see what others have said! Thanks for hosting this Katy!
This was such a wonderful topic, Katy! I am just sorry that losing Toni as a blogger is what brought it on… she'll be missed!
I'm glad you stuck it out when the blogger burnout reared it's head. You're one of the nicest and most talented bloggers out there(and an invaluable resource too!)
I think if you are a writer or love writing than blogging is always going to give you some pleasure that will make it worth pursuing. Glad you worked through your burnout!
Katy, these were great questions, and so timely! I've been a horrible blogger lately, with about 1 post per week, rather than three and I feel guilty about it. I'm glad to hear that I'm not the only one taking a step back during the holidays.
I didn't post this week b/c admittedly, I'm going through my own mini bout of blogging burnout. Reading through the responses is helping me kick myself in the bum though – that and emails from friendly folks looking to help contribute content. I think FBFF has sincerely been one of the biggest things keeping me from burning out – having a consistent, weekly, post that I know I"ll have sorted out has been a huge motivator.
Oh my word…I've had a blogger burnout week too!!! The last post I did was on Wednesday…and I'm just getting back into the swing of things today
I think I start to get burned out when I'm feeling really pressured by "real" life…then blogging is just a "chore" that feels like a distraction from everything I need to do. And I love to blog…so that frustrates me 
But as soon as finals are over, I'll be back strong
Looking forward to it!!!
P.s. I'm your newest follower…love the blog!!!
<3 Cambria
http://twoforteaplease.blogspot.com/
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