Battling Blogger Burnout: 10 Brilliant Tips For Rekindling Your Passion and Purpose For Blogging
I absolutely LOVE blogging! I remember years back when the word “blog” or “blogger” was a buzz word. Everyone wanted to be a “blogger” and start a “blog.” I knew that blogging was for me because of my love and passion for writing and wanting to connect with others in a way that was meaningful. So, I started my own blog in 2017 and went full speed ahead.
It was great… until it wasn’t.
Not only was I new to blogging but I remember feeling overwhelmed and not knowing that it takes a lot of work to be a blogger. With the consistent demands of content creation, connecting and engaging with readers, and trying to navigate through the ever-changing digital landscape (like Instagram’s ridiculous algorithm changes), I became burnt out.
I didn’t know it at the time but I couldn’t identify and articulate what I was feeling. Blogging was becoming more difficult. I didn’t enjoy it as much anymore even though I KNEW without a doubt it was for me. It wasn’t until I read another blogger’s blog post and she talked about “Blogger Burnout” and how real it was.
YES, bloggers get burnt out and I’ve experienced blogger burnout often (more than I care to admit). However, I’ve learned some pretty brilliant tips and strategies during my years of blogging and in this blog post, I want to share with you 10 practical tips and strategies that I've learned on how you can overcome blogger burnout and reignite your passion and purpose for blogging.
So, whether you’re doing great in blogging, on the razor’s edge of burnout, or completely burnt out entirely, this blog post is for you.
1. Recognize the Signs of Blogger Burnout
Before we can tackle blogger burnout, it's important to recognize its signs.
Signs may include:
Lack of motivation
A decrease in productivity
Feelings of frustration or cynicism
Even…
Physical symptoms like fatigue or headache
If you’re experiencing 2 or more of these symptoms, you may be experiencing blogger burnout. Do a weekly or monthly check-in with yourself to see how you’re feeling. Ask yourself what motivates you and do more of that. Also, ask yourself what’s not motivating and how you can make some adjustments. When you do a check-in with yourself, you’ll be more aware of what can be the root of your burnout as a blogger.
2. Practice Self-Care
I know, I know. The term “self-care” has been a buzz word for the last few years. Love it or hate it, taking care of yourself as a blogger is paramount. Your audience wants the best version of you and they can tell when they’re not getting it. Self-care methods look different for others but do what works for you.
I can’t stress this enough but get your rest (like… seriously. PLEASE!), eat healthy, and make time for regular exercise (it’s a proven fact that exercise makes you more creative). Also, this may seem frowned upon but taking breaks, both short and long from blogging, can do wonders for your mental and physical health.
3. Set Realistic Goals
Unrealistic expectations can be a major source of burnout. Trust me, I learned that hard way when I first started blogging. I wanted to be a super blogger blogging as much as I can and when I can and quickly burned in the process.
Break down your blogging goals into manageable tasks and take time to celebrate your small achievements (like a new subscriber, a digital product purchase) along the way. Remember, blogging is a journey, not a sprint. Your progress matters no matter how big or small.
4. Mix It Up With Your Content
Monotony can lead to burnout. Doing the same thing over and over does give consistency but it can be uninspiring after awhile. There are times where I don’t want or feel like writing. So, I’ll create graphics or some small things on Pinterest.
Don’t be afraid to try different formats such as videos, podcasts, or guest posts. I’ve found that exploring new topics and styles can reignite your creativity, passion, and enthusiasm for blogging.
5. Prioritize and Organize
This is the not-so-attractive side of blogging: doing the administrative work of prioritizing your schedule and organizing content but I can assure that your sanity and mental health will thank you for it. Not prioritizing and organizing your schedule and content is where I see a lot of bloggers fail and ditch their blogs altogether. Effective blogging takes planning so be sure to prioritize and organize.
Build a clear schedule and prioritize your blogging tasks. Scheduling and task management tools like Asana are God-send for me when it comes to structuring my blog. Also editorial calendars for your blog can help you stay organized and reduce the feeling of overwhelm.
*Psst: I have this really BRILLIANT weekly/monthly editorial calendar that I currently use for my blogs. It’s simple to use and a MUST-HAVE if you’re looking for a better way to organize. Best of all, I’ve created it where you have an ENTIRE YEAR (yes, that’s right! A YEAR) of editorial worksheets. Click below to get instant access to your blog editorial calendar.
6. Delegate or Outsource
I get it. You’re busy. You have a life and want to be able to leverage your time between your family, other interests, and your blog. Sometimes it’s not always feasible to handle everything yourself. And I wouldn’t recommend it especially if you feel overwhelmed.
IF POSSIBLE, consider outsourcing tasks like graphic design, social media management, or even content creation to another designer, social media manager, or Virtual Assistant. This allows you to focus on what you do best and rekindle your passion for the core aspects of your blog. I know a few successful bloggers who outsource their tasks in order to take the pressure and load off of them.
7. Engage with Your Community
While blogging is sharing your heart, soul, interest, and expertise into your writing, interacting with your readers and other fellow bloggers can be a tremendous source of inspiration. Being in a community with like-minded individuals is likely to give your brilliant ideas. I know it does for me.
Attend webinars, participate in forums, and seek out networking opportunities. Show your support to other bloggers and see what their take is especially if you share the same niche. The shared enthusiasm and insights can reignite your own creativity and renew your passion for blogging when you feel burned out.
8. Take Creative Detours
Have you ever noticed how living life sometimes seems to be relevant to what you’re passionate about? Some of my best ideas and perspectives about blogging come from me just living life and doing this unrelated to blogging.
It’s always a good idea to explore other creative outlets unrelated to your blog. Painting, cooking, or learning a new skill can provide a fresh perspective and infuse new energy into your blogging journey.
9. Embrace Imperfection
In my personal opinion, I believe that social media has done the “process of becoming” a disservice. We now live in a world where everything needs to be perfect the first time around. Perfectionism often leads to unnecessary stress and blogger burnout. I’ve struggled with this for YEARS and realized that I was hurting while keeping me from my own growth as a blogger.
While I do want you to do your best on every blog post, understand that not every post needs to be flawless. Focus on delivering value and connecting with your audience rather than aiming for unattainable perfection.
10. Reflect and Reevaluate
In your blogging journey you will experience ebbs and flows. You’ll also have methods that will work in one season and not work in the next. Trying to force or use obsolete methods can cause blogger burnout and deep frustration. Oftentimes, you may feel like you want to quit altogether.
It’s important to grow with your blog to see what’s working and what’s not (this goes back to point #1). Regularly assess your blogging journey. What aspects in blogging bring you joy and fulfillment? What drains your energy? Fine tune your strategies and content based on your reflections and make the necessary adjustments.
Final Thoughts
Battling blogger burnout is a journey in itself that requires self-awareness, self-compassion, and strategic planning. By implementing these tips and strategies, you'll not only overcome burnout like I did but also rediscover your joy, purpose, and your WHY that initially fueled your passion for blogging in the first place. Remember, it's okay to take a step back and rejuvenate; your creativity, audience, and sanity will thank you for it.
What on the list do you plan to implement? What would you add to the list that could help other bloggers beat burnout? Leave a comment below.
