Happy Friday!
This summer, I will have blogged for the last three years. I never thought I’d hit this milestone. I’m far from a blogging expert. I’m still small. But I do know a few things. And I hope to pass along at least some knowledge onto new and seasoned bloggers. We bloggers need to offer support when we can. And I hope that my Beyond the Blurb posts provides that for you all. So my next topic will be all about blogging burnout.
How do you recognize a blogger burnout? Sometimes, it’s hard to pinpoint exactly. However, I’ve noticed some of these warning signs:
Lose the Spark in Blogging
You all discover that first spark of blogging, right? You’ve never taken on such a project. And you’re thrilled to start. Occasionally though, when you’ve been blogging nonstop for months or even years, that flicker may disappear. Picking up on this sign is important. If you lose that reason, then it may be hard to find it again.
Fall into a Blogging Slump
I’m in one right now. Or at least, I’m in a small one. No, I still love blogging. However, I find writing some post a bit difficult. But my personal life may be the reason why.
Ask Why You Still Want to Blog
Sure, I wanted more experience in the blogging community so I could use that for publishing internships. And yes, it helped, quite well, actually. But the thrill in blogging, the community, and the bloggers are the reasons why I’m here. I don’t want to leave. But if you can’t answer why you want to continue, then you may be heading into a burnout.
For the second part of my post, I want to suggest some tips to follow:
Schedule, Schedule, Schedule
For several months, I’ve been scheduling per day, and I can’t handle that anymore. Instead, I plan out my week. Which posts I want to publish, what I want to write, and when. However, schedules aren’t set in stone. If you aren’t up to working on a review, because we all know how much work we put into one, swap out that post for a discussion post, book tag, challenge, blogger award, or anything you feel up to. Don’t push yourself into keeping the schedule all the time. You have the flexibility in choosing what you want to publish and when.
And if you design your own graphics, perhaps use your weekend to create them. The weekend is also a great time to catch up on replying to comments, comment on other bloggers’ posts, and reach out to your blogger friends.
Find Easier Ways to Blog
I also use a simple format for all of my review posts. You don’t always need to make the most creative post either. Find a formatting layout for each post and stick with that so you aren’t spending any more time with the design part. Use shortcuts your blogging platforms offer as well.
Take a Break
It’s perfectly fine to walk away. Take a breather. Don’t let your blog control your every free time. Blogging is more than just a pastime. You dedicate countless hours in building a tiny creation and turn it into a brand. So don’t think it’s just a hobby. Sure, it is, but it’s more than just that though. So take a step back and see what you want to do next.
Siobhan's Novelties 