I read an article I found on Facebook last night all about burnout.
It was an ah-ha open.
Not everything I’ve felt is about burnout, but I think it’s playing a part in this mental gunk plaguing me. Ugh.
I woke up this morning with purpose. Or at least with a lot of ideas. Until I can finally sit down and talk with someone who can help me figure this out, I have to find new ways to take care of myself.
Since I can’t reduce the work that pays the bills (not yet, anyway) I have to find other ways to simplify life – especially since even the things I have enjoyed for years are starting to fill me with dread.
So I’m taking a kind of, sort of blogging hiatus.
Until I can figure myself out, feel better, or have more desire to create than I currently do, I’m reducing my blogging efforts drastically (at least it feels that way to me).
I’ll do Masturbation Monday, the podcast, and random toy reviews/sponsored posts as they come in. (I have a couple of book reviews and a shameless promotion to do but after that, any new requests will have to wait.)
That’s it.
For some bloggers, this would be enough. For me, it’s less than half of what I normally do. It kind of freaks me out, but it also brings a sense of relief.
How long will it last? I don’t know. Until I wake up one day and realize I miss it?
Why am I making an announcement about it? Because if I don’t, I’ll feel guilty, like I’m letting everyone down. And no, I don’t know where the guilt-thing comes from either, but it’s there – making me hate myself most of the time.
Will I use the extra time to write books? Not right now. I have to reduce the pressure I’ve put on myself. I need to deal with the burnout I feel and get back to my love of creating. My big, bad hope is that given a little bit of time, I’ll find that desire to write again. And if not, that I’ll find other avenues for my creative energy.
I don’t know what path lies ahead. I don’t know if this will help me sort myself out or if after a week or two, I’ll realize I hate it and get back to my normal blogging routine. I don’t know anything anymore.
My hope is that this (kind of, sort of) “hiatus” will give me a sense of freedom. This is my effort to exist without all the pressure I’ve put on myself to work towards my biggest goals (which are all still there, hovering, waiting to be completed). I need to clear my mind of some of the gunk and find my joy again.
My fingers are crossed that this will help.
Welcome to Wicked Wednesday (my last one for a while, I think). This week’s prompt was about creating your own path when you need it. I have no idea if this path will help or hurt but it feels right. I’m not really going anywhere, just focusing inward for a while.
I am glad you are doing what you think is best for you and your health. I know I have gone through a little bit of a funk myself at times and sometimes you just need to lighten your load and see where it takes you. I know I will support you in this and I know many other fellow readers will do the same thing.
Thanks, Ashley. I definitely appreciate it. I’m curious to see where this takes me, too. Either I’ll get my old groove back or I’ll find a new one. 🙂
I am so sorry to hear you’re dealing with this. Taking a big step back is a good thing. I’ve been through a burnout 4 years ago (due to my work) and my blog was the place where I felt safe. Still to took me almost 5 months to return to my work. I hope you can find a new balance for yourself and return with new energy, even if it takes a couple of months. We will be here, waiting.
Take care!
Rebel xox
Thank you! For those of us who do this for a long time, I’m guessing this is inevitable. I’m ready to have my energy back – for sure. 🙂
Kayla,
Don’t feel guilty about taking time for yourself. I’m sure you’ve heard this before, but you can’t take care of the others (other things,other people) in your life, if there’s nothing left of *you* to give.
I go through similar burnouts every once in a while and realize I need to take a step back from almost everything and just give myself a guilt free break for a bit. Generally after about a week or two I’m so bored that I start looking for something to do. That’s when I take just a bit more time to write down everything that I *want* to do and prioritize those things that are the most important to me so I can focus on them.
Rest, relax, rejuvenate. It’s okay. Really.
Hugs.
Tia
Thanks, Tia. And yes, I know that advice well – I badger my close friends with it ALL the time. Typical bossy person – I give advice to other people and don’t take it for myself, lol.
I’m kind of hoping I’m bored soon, too – the sense of relief is pretty overwhelming though. I have a feeling this was long overdue.
This sounds like the right move, Kayla. Only good things can come of making this kind of change and letting your batteries recharge/letting your energy move in other directions.
Thanks, Cecilia. The recharge is definitely needed.
I agree with the comments above take your time. Sometimes you need a “time out” just to recharge the “batteries” (lol) and get yourself back into the right frame of mind to do what you need to do. Hugs from me xx
((HUGS)) Thanks, Sue.
Enjoy the rest. Or the kinda, sorta rest.
Me, rest? Never! Well…kinda, sorta. And I will. It’s definitely overdue.
I wish you best as you find the balance you need at this time in your life. Sometimes we must make hard and/or unpopular decisions for a season, but we’ll be better off for it in the long run. I applaud you for finding boundaries in your life to enhance your mental health! Think of it as “quality, not quantity” . I just “found” you less than a couple weeks ago, so I still have plenty of material to read and listen to. I’m only halfway through the podcasts ?
Awww, thanks Ginger! I hope I’m back by the time you manage to comb through everything around here.
It’s funny – I’m really good at getting onto the people I love about boundaries and taking care of themselves, but I’m only just now starting to do it for myself. I’ll be better off for it – which is what matters. 🙂
Stay Strong! You are loved!
Hugs
Thanks, Billy! ((HUGS))
I have had moments of feeling like this, I think all creative folks do. The important thing is to give yourself a break and see what transpires
Mollyxxx