This isn’t the post I had planned for today, and it’s also not the backup post I had in reserve. I’d planned on giving you a review for These Hollow Vows, but I’ve been on 7% for days now. Not because I’m not enjoying it, I just can’t find the drive to pick it up.
I guess about a month and a half ago, I decided to take a partial step away from blogging. I was finding it hard to get motivated to write blog posts.
And for a while, it worked.
But I’m back to being unable to find the drive or desire to blog. It also doesn’t help that I’m in this weird partial slump, where I don’t want to read anything, I need to read. I just want to read semi-brainless KU stuff that doesn’t take a whole lot of brain power.
I know I’m burnt out – or very nearly there.
Work monopolizing almost all of my time and energy and by the time I get home, I’m utterly exhausted. So much so, even the idea of reading a book is too much. All I’m really good for is a walk with Codigo, a shower, dinner and watching an episode or two of some show. And then it starts all over again the next day.
I don’t want to stop blogging, because I’ve put so much time and energy into it, and I love sharing my thoughts, feelings and opinions on books. I love supporting authors and connecting with other book people. I also don’t want to see that drastic dip in my stats that I know would come with taking a partial hiatus. I know it shouldn’t be about the numbers, the views, the stats – but on some level it is. I’ve worked my ass off to get this blog to where it is, and I’m damn fucking proud. But it’s also one of the reasons I’m exhausted all of the time.
I’ve been posting for 5 days a week for – gosh, I don’t know how long, and for most of 2021 it’s been twice a day.
I don’t have the time on the weekends to prep as much as I would like, and the last thing I want to do at midnight during the week (and yes, that’s about the only free time I have) is to have to write a blog post.
So, as much as it pains me, I might have to take a break from posting. I haven’t decided anything yet, so you’ll still get content from me for July – but I am going on vacation in August, and it might be nice to just take that month off. I wouldn’t completely stop posting, but I don’t have many eARCs I need to read to review for actual August release dates. I would still post if I’ve agreed to read & review a book, or if I absolutely have to share my review for a book. I hate that it’s going to tank my stats, but I feel like I’m not putting effort into the content I put out. everything kind of feels lackluster.
Like I said, nothing has been decided, but I am thinking about it. Tomorrow I promise to have some kind of review for you – I have a couple of books I have read recently if I don’t finish any of the books I’m currently reading.
Taking real time off, also might actually give me the energy to work on my SF WIP & Revisions – which I sorely need to do.
But let me know your thoughts? I’m curious.
Writing The Universe 
Speaking as someone who has a very hard time knowing when to take a break, I sympathize completely with this. I will also say, in my experience, if you feel you should take a break and are burned out, you are actually beyond the point of both of those and you NEED to give yourself some time off. Since you’ve built your blog and stats on in-depth/well-written reviews, maybe one way you can look at it is that you want to continue that level of writing going forward, and without it, your stats would drop too. So think of this as a way to make sure that doesn’t happen and you can maintain that quality after you’ve taken a month off. My 2 cents, of course and you should do what your heart is telling you to do, and not your brain or your stats. 🙂
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I hear you. 💛 Thanks for the advice and 2 cents – it’s appreciated. Truly.
I’ve been thinking about a potential plan all day, and I think I’ve come up with a route I’m going to take. If anything, I’ll just be back with a crap ton of pre-written content and won’t be scrounging to write stuff the night of lol
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Summers are hard! Every year I make huge plans for works in progress and each year I fail, lol! I know lots of writers and bloggers who go through this every year. Rest and recharging is what vacations are for and you may find that your brain goes boom with all the blog post or WIP inspiration. Go easy on yourself, know we LOVE your posts but you’re not obligated to do them. Were it me, I’d read what I want, write what I want, and enjoy the time.
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💛💛 that means so much, honestly.
I’m hoping the ability to get away and just turn off for a bit will help – well, it will definitely help.
I’ve definitely been doing more ‘reading for fun & writing for fun’ – low pressure kind of stuff, without stressing about posting potential.
If anything, I’ll potentially have a bunch of pre-written content ready to go, if I do come back from a hiatus LOL
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