So, it took me three weeks to get through Wayfarer, and while it was satisfying finally turning to that last page knowing I conquered a 520+ page book, it’s killed all my reading and blogging motivation.
Every time I thought about picking up the book, I would busy myself with doing other things, like cleaning the house, or playing with Toby, or procrastinating in other ways.
And when I did finally pick it up, it felt like a massive chore, and my eyes drooped at the long, detailed descriptions that were only useful at bedtime. My usual car rides to work in the morning would be spent browsing my Instagram account, or writing random scenes of my book.
Sometimes as part of blogging, we feel the responsibility to publishers, to authors and to our fellow readers for pushing through something that we’re not enjoying. But as I’m feeling now, sometimes that’s probably the worst way to kill off your inspiration and love of what you’re doing.
We have to remember that we read because we enjoy it, regardless of whether it’s a review copy you requested, or whether you signed yourself up to a reading challenge that you’re struggling to complete (or start. Sorry #AsianLitBingo). Pressuring yourself is a quickfire way to take all the fun and enjoyment out of what you do, which means you’re worse off than when you started.
Some of you may notice that my Twitter posts have decreased dramatically, or my Instagram is looking more stark than ever. Despite my impending TBR threatening to take over my living room, the last thing I feel like doing is looking at more books, or even thinking about books, because of the pressure I’ve assigned it to.
For those of you who feel the same, just know you’re not alone. You don’t have to do things to be relevant, like commenting on every single blog in existence, constantly posting on Twitter, keeping up with all 321847 social media accounts and feeling like you need to read every new release. You’re a reader, first and foremost, and then a blogger. This is what you do for fun.
Don’t ever think you should be doing things or that you’re never enough, because you’re doing this, for you. Pave your own way, and find out what works for you. No matter what you do, your fellow readers and bloggers will be there to support you.
Have you ever struggled from blogging motivation? How do you get past it?
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[…] Jeann @ Happy Indulgences discusses the struggles of finding blogging motivation. […]
SO MUCH YES to this Jeann! I am struggling so hard with book blogging motivation, but firing on all cylinders with other non-bookish content. It doesn't help that I'm deep in writing my last assignment for the month and totally stressed. I forget the last time I read a book that wasn't for uni – although I am lucky that the books I have to read are children's and YA. I've read some great books, but I just haven't had the time or headspace to review them, although I did review one of the books before I wrote my assignment on it but haven't taken photographs and so haven't posted. Such a spiral! But this is a great reminder to take a breath and remember blogging is my fun hobby and meant to be a way to de-stress!
Struggling right now, so I feel you! Do I have to put on make-up every day so I can get a good Insta pic ;p
Hope you have found more time for the things you love! Thank you for dedicating so much to keeping us entertained.
Arghh Jeann, I totally know what you mean you have to keep reminding yourself that you read for you and if you're just not feeling it then it's totally okay to put it down… Same with blogging, if you're not feeling it, it's totally cool to take a break.
Jordon @ Simply Adrift
I struggle with motivation a lot, especially with being overrun by uni work too. It's so easy to get burnt out and not feel like doing anything at all.
As for how to get through it, I don't have any concrete way. Usually it's a matter of time, sometimes I just take a break and do unrelated book things. Eventually the motivation comes back (though I'm still waiting for study motivation to return…)
Ohhh the motivation. I don't know how, to be honest. Mine goes away all the time. Usually it comes back. Tonight instead of doing much of anything blogging related (I commented on 3 blogs, including yours hah) I just goofed around online and did NOTHING of any value. But I just… couldn't, you know? Incidentally, Toby looks as over it as you do 😉
I get that fatigue for a lot of things too. Instagram, Twitter, just… everything. So I totally feel you. I don't have tips though, I just.. stopped worrying about it? I would get so worked up and stressed because I wasn't doing "enough" but then I just… ran out of fucks to give? So I have very few now, and I am much better off that way. I hope your motivation comes back, and also, I kind of never want to read Wayfarer now hahah.
I love this. I've been feeling all sorts of slumpy when it comes to reading and blogging lately as well so this was a much needed post for me to read. I've been rereading some of my favorite books to ease me back into reading but I'm falling helplessly behind on blogging, which is okay. Anyway, I've truly missed talking to you. I hope that you are well!
– Summer
Ahhhh I needed this so much, thanks Jeann <3 No matter how many times I remind myself, I always fall into that trap of "I'm not blogging/writing/reading" enough. It's a hobby! Chillax, Emily! At this ridiculous time of year (or so it seems to me) one more reminder is what we all need <3
Also, after Passenger I'm not even bothering with Wayfarer LOL.
I hope you can back to reading (and enjoying it) and let go of all the pressure! This post was so inspiring and very motivational, which may be odd considering you mention the struggle to stay motivated, but still, it's true. Great post!
This post just SPEAKS to me so much, Jeann. Thank you for writing it and sharing your struggles. I definitely put A LOT (too much) pressure on myself when it comes to blogging, and I don't even have physical ARCs to read ahah I can't imagine how big bloggers are handling their TBRs, their lives and everything. It's so crazy but we definitely need to remind ourselves to take a breath and love what we are doing. This should not be or become a chore, it should remain something we do for fun and something we love 🙂
I hope your motivation will come back to you soon Jeann;. In the meantime, try to take a break and enjoy the books you read, or re-read something you love 🙂 <3
Yes omg I struggle with this and I've not even been blogging for 3 months. I find I put way too much pressure on myself to come up with the best post ever and then that leads to me not posting anything. I've become too perfectionist! I have to step away and take a walk or do something completely random to clear out my head. I've DEFINITELY found that helps.
I've totally felt this way before. I guess because we are book bloggers, when we read dreaded books or in a reading slump, it kills our blogging motivation too because it reminds us on how terrible the book is or how we don't have any new materials for our blog. Usually when the slump hits I'll just write some mini reviews for backlist books I've read but never reviewed, or do some tags. Basically I just sporadically put up a post instead of not writing at all because from experience, it usually take longer for my motivation to come back if I don't write at all. I hope you'll get back into things soon Jeann!
Agree, a lot pressure or feeling of responsibility definitely kills the desire, sigh. It becomes more of a job than for fun. I'm really trying to balance my ARCs and backlist so that I can write reviews with no pressure/deadlines!
Great discussion, Jeann!
This seems to be going around a lot these days, I've noticed several of the blogs I follow struggling with blogging, including me! I don't think I've written a book review in weeks, I just can't find the motivation. The scariest part for me is that the longer I go without blogging and writing reviews, the harder it is to get back into it. I've always had to discipline myself to write reviews, and I know I need to start again. Otherwise there isn't much point to being a book blogger:-/
Same, girl. Same.
There'd been too many distractions in my life lately that I haven't been able to just sit down and focus on blogging/commenting. I'm one of those people who obsesses about stuff. So when I find something I'm passionate about, I forgot the other things that once consumed me. Nowadays, I'm having so much fun thrifting and posting about what I've found and how to incorporate it in my house. And then, I joined a fitness bootcamp, which means, I'm literally dragging myself from the door to my bedroom by the time I get home. Sigh.
I think the best thing we could do is to just STOP AGONIZING about it and do it.
Let's do that this weekend, Jeann. Let's just sit down on Saturday and focus on the blog and nothing else.
I'm feeling it too, Jeann. I haven't touched a book since the beginning of this month, and I can feel the TBR judging me and there are book club reads to be read and ARCs to be reviewed and… I just can't bring myself to do any of it. I've mostly been playing the Sims and watching Friends to get through the day. As an agoraphobe, it's even harder to fill in your day if you can't read. I hope this passes soon.
Love this post! I've been feeling the same way recently when it comes to blogging. Before I'd post something at least once a week and now it's bearly once a month. I haven't had time really but with summer break starting next week for me I think I'll have more time then… I hope ☺️
Oh boy… I haven't lost any enthusiasm for books but I have lost my motivation for blogging and even if I get a few tinges for it here and there… but not enough to return to a regular blogging schedule, even if I continue reading and loving and talking on Twitter…
I've taken a few hiatus' in my time as a blogger to regroup. I've read what I felt like instead if what I thought I should. I signed up for less tors, less ARCs and said NO more often. Now I blog when I can and it's freeing. I still don't read as much as before but I have an 11 month old baby that takes most of my time. Once I'm back at work I think I'll be able to fit reading in over my lunch hours.
I saw take a break when you need it, mood read if you need to and say No more often. Less stress.