I never thought this would actually happen to me. Sounds kind of arrogant right? I have seen so many posts about those dreaded blogging slumps and didn’t think I would ever fall into one myself.
This blog has helped me through so much over the last year. I am so grateful to have found the book blogging community and you guys have really kept my spirits up, even through the darkest of times.
So when I started to feel like I didn’t want to write any posts or make any graphics (which I usually love doing), I ignored it thinking the feeling would just go away.
Whelp, unfortunately for me, it really didn’t. I have had a really hard time trying to come up with any original content so I fell back on doing memes and tags which usually help get me motivated and get the creative juices flowing again (eww – that sounded kinda gross but you know what I mean).
That worked for a bit but the lethargy has become to kick in even more. I have talked a little about my OCD on my blog before but I also struggle with anxiety and depression (a totally winning combo if there ever was one). I take medication for this but one of the side affects is that it can leave me feeling flat and emotionless. It also seems to have an effect on my creativity and thinking process at times.
This is one of those times.
I feel really bad for not producing the same level of content that I used to. My reviews have been pretty sporadic as well because I have been struggling to form cohesive thoughts on the books I have read which has never been a problem up until now.
I used to write far more critically but I have adopted a more conversational tone in my more recent-ish reviews (which I actually like) but I am struggling to put even the most basic sentences together and my thought have basically gone along the lines of ‘this book is awesome’ or ‘this book is not good’ and then I can’t really think of much else to say.
I am also really behind on responding to comments which I feel super-bad about because I love getting comments and love the conversations those comments generate. I want to thank everyone who has continued to comment even though I have been very lax at keeping up – I am going to try to do better.
As for the blogging slump itself, well I am going to do my best to overcome it. I have been reading more again which is great but I think I need to take a break from my blog for a week or so (or at least the posting side of it) and re-charge my batteries.
I have so much maintenance to do (from way back when I first went self-hosted) and I intend to catch up with everything I have been neglecting. The design still needs some tweaks and I really have to update my reviews (I lost my archives when I went self-hosted and have been gradually updating them via the Ultimate Book Blogger Plugin).
I will still be around and I really hope this time away allows me the motivation I need to come back with a vengeance! I really do not want to give up on blogging. Even though I may bemoan the fact that it takes up a lot of time I really do love doing this and I would really miss the community so much if I gave it up.
Here are some related articles from my fellow bloggers:
Blogging Slump? You’re not alone @ Happy Indulgence
Blogging Slumps @ Chapteriosity
21 Questions to Ask When You’re in a Book Blogging Slump @ Book.Blog.Bake.
Reading and Blogging Slumps: How to Overcome @ The Crazy Bookworm
How Do You Words? @ Readers in Wonderland
Reading or Blogging Slumps? No worries! @ Lite-Rate-Ture
Have you ever gone through a blogging slump personally? What did you do to get yourself over this hurdle?
I would really love to hear everyone’s thoughts. 🙂
Nuuu! I know exactly how you feel, my blogging slump lasted forever. But don’t stress yourself out! Come back when you feel like you enjoy it more and you’ll be motivated. Hopefully you’ll get back into the mood again. We’ll be waiting 🙂
Thanks Tracey!! The break turned out to be just the ticket – I feel a lot more motivated again and it’s great to be back. 🙂
Thanks for sharing our post! 😀
As for blogging and reading slumps, I was the same way. I don’t think I had my first one until about a year into blogging but you do bounce back. I’m also taking medication for anxiety and have days where I just sit through the day not feeling like doing much at all and that’s okay! Everyone needs a break now and then. To get out of one? Hmmm, it usually happens when I stay up late and get a lot of ideas all of the sudden. Plus I love scheduling things so to see scheduled posts is a lot of pressure off of me. Once you get going, I feel like it’s easier to continue.
You’re most welcome!! It really resonated with me and how I was feeling.
I am feeling a lot better in general and starting to get my anxiety back under control again. You’re totally right though – some days you just can’t do much at all and it is okay to take a break from everything now and then.
Thanks for the advice too – I really need to get more organised with blogging. I would love to have scheduled posts prepared and ready for when I am not feeling so motivated. It’s difficult for me but I think getting into that kind of rhythm would be beneficial and take some of the extra pressure away. 🙂
Slumps happen.
Enjoy your time away. Use your imagination lots and be free.
See you when you’re ready! 🙂
That’s true unfortunately, sometimes a break is needed. I did really need to concentrate on stuff other than my blog for a while. It helped a lot and I did miss blogging so was happy to return to it when I was ready!! Thanks so much for the comment. 🙂
It was only just recently for me that I felt the beginnings of a slump – it was more that there were other things I would rather be doing than blogging, and I totally never thought I would feel that way since I love blogging so much. I think it’s fine and good to take a break sometimes now, which is something I wouldn’t have even considered a year ago. Blogging is such an evolving process – even if you’ve been doing it for awhile, there’s still ways to learn more about it and discover what works best for you. Definitely slumps happen, but I hope you’ll just come to appreciate blogging more after it!
Thank you for sharing what’s been happening with you!
I was the same Charlene. I love blogging too and it was hard when it started to become a chore rather than something I was enjoying doing. I’m glad that your slump helped you appreciate blogging a bit more – sometimes a break away from it is just what you need to come back more full of ideas than ever!! I still feel a little more sluggish than before but it is good to be getting back into the swing of it. Just taking every day as it comes really. 🙂
Hello Brin!! I and a lot people have been there before (thanks for sharing my post btw! <33) and I think at some point everyone's going to experience it. You don't have to worry though, because like what Alise said, we do bounce back. It took me more than half a year to go back to my old reading and blogging habits, but it definitely varies from people to people. just don't force yourself too much because the more you force yourself, I think the harder it is to produce contents… Take a break as long as you need 😀
Thank Kezia!! I loved your post – it did really help me come to grips with my slump. 🙂
I have returned to blogging but I am not quite as motivated as before – but I’ve realized that it is okay to feel like that. Thanks for your advice – it really helped me see that beating myself up about how I was feeling wasn’t helping at all. I am slowly and surely finding my feet again and not pushing myself too fast either. 🙂
“I also struggle with anxiety and depression (a totally winning combo if there ever was one).”
This. So much this. I struggle with anxiety and depression as well and it’s just the most confusing combination ever. I’m also now on medication since a few months and it’s working (although not entirely), but I do feel a lot more lethargic than before. Sports? Hah. As if. I also haven’t been writing anymore.
I did take a two-month hiatus from writing and blogging, which has helped me immensely. I took the time out to take care of myself, and if I had a post idea, I’d write it and schedule it without any pressure of having to have a blog post RIGHT NOW.
You should take a break if you feel like you need one. Also, my inbox is open if you need someone to talk to.
Anxiety and depression is a monster isn’t it? It’s really hard to understand how it makes someone feel until they have gone through it themselves. I’m really glad to hear that your medication is working for you. It does take time though to start to feel like yourself again. I definitely don’t have as much energy as I did before and that was hard to deal with. I’m sorry you are going through something similar *hugs*.
Taking a break did help a lot and I found I really did miss blogging. I have started posting again but I am not beating myself up if I don’t feel like posting – I was doing that before and it just made me feel ten times worse. I feel a lot better now though. 🙂
Thanks for stopping by and sharing your experiences. It has helped me a lot. If you ever need to talk, I am here for you too. <3
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