Kirsty Hume Harbour Island, Pamela Hanson
There’s been a mini trend in the blog world recently … everyone is exhausted, uninspired, and ready to refresh. I think this is a typical feeling for those of us who have been blogging for a while (I can’t believe it’s almost 5.5 years since I started blogging!?!) especially after the holidays and the beginning of a new year (although here we are almost two months into 2013!). Erin calls it slow blogging. Victoria says enough is enough. I could sit here and quote about half of Megan’s what ALT Summit Taught Me post for all of its amazing statements, but I’ll just let you read it. And I’m pretty sure there are more posts I wanted to mention here, but you know how things get lost in internetland (does anyone have a bookmarking system they like besides Evernote?). And I’m pretty pissed I wasn’t paying attention to Stefan Sagmeister‘s keynote at ALT — because I was working. Um, hello — I’m at a damn conference and the most inspiring talk I missed because I had to get something done!?! Bleh.
Have you read similar posts to the ones I mentioned? Leave me a link to them in the comments so I can read them.
In 2012 I busted my ass working on tons of projects to try to make sure that my “business” was financially successful. Funny enough, what I started out last year thinking I was going to be doing the most ended up being the thing I’m doing the least of now, by choice. I’ve started so many other projects — to & from, MANIFESTO, another biz that will launch soon, (and another idea up my sleeve but it’s a bit far off) that I haven’t had time for much else — especially blogging how I want to and also time for my own creativity. I have carved out time for yoga (yay me), and now running (see my post about the Nike Women’s Half Marathon), and hopefully with the addition of my 2 new interns (YAY!) I will continue to be able to spend more and more time creating the type of content that I want to.
I mentioned while speaking on the Social Media panel at ALT in January that it’s OK to take breaks from blogging, instagram, twitter, Pinterest, (take a breath), Facebook, Google+, Vine, reading other blogs, taking photos, etc. etc. etc. TO ACTUALLY LIVE YOUR LIFE. That is how you gain perspective, get cultured, and have something interesting to say or inspiring photos to share — you have to go out and experience life! When you die, you can’t take your blog with you. I mean, I guess you could be buried with your laptop. You take your memories with you. What you saw, did, experienced — and the people you enjoyed all of that with. So over the holidays and while I was launching some projects I have been much more liberal with myself to take that time and not killing myself to churn out posts that are uninspired, because I just wanted to “get something up.”
I will continue to work hard in 2013 but I am going to live a little. Go off the map sometimes. Go on a real vacation that has nothing to do with work. Enjoy dinners with my husband. Let my mind get lost frequently at yoga. Get a massage, a mani/pedi, spend a Tuesday afternoon at a museum, and have a margarita at lunch. And then I’ll create, and like I said — get back to Meg. Or maybe getting to the next evolution (ahem January’s word) of Meg. I just feel like I’ve gotten so focused on the “business” I’ve let the creative Meg go a little. I need her back.
I also think you create your best work when you have the time to be truly inspired. Think things out. I think this is why I always have amazing ideas while in the shower — I’m just letting my mind run without interruption.
Go live. Gain experience, knowledge, memories. Get inspired. Get creative. Go find yourself.
I’m planning on it.
What about you, how are you feeling?
Photograph by Pamela Hanson
Love this post! I’m only 1 year into blogging and still figuring out the blogger life vs. life with a blog distinction. It’s good to get some fresh perspective on others (with much more experience) dealing with this as well. Loving the blog and wishing you all the best!
Luci’s Morsels – fashion. food. frivolity.
Love this post! It’s definitely important to continue living and taking a break from the internets – I only recently caught up on about a month of posts in Reader (and unsubscribed from quite a few along the way), and I don’t want to feel bad about that. (I did try to keep up with my Top 10% bloggers though so I could leave comments for them!)
Congratulations on all you’ve accomplished last year, and I look forward to seeing what you’ve got coming up!
Thanks so much Jess!
Meg
Augh, thank you so much for this. I am feeling EXACTLY the same…and I felt it elsewhere in the blog world but thought maybe it’s just because I wasn’t where I should be. But actually, I’m just not open to inspiration at the moment because I am totally exhausted. So that’s it, I gotta do something to rest up and then look at everything with fresh eyes again. I’m doing myself (and my blog) a disservice by not.
Kate
http://www.thrillofthechaise.com
Hi Meg.
I just recently discovered your blog and really like it – I even thought about applying for an internship. Anyway, I think your ambition is admirable but a break is healthy for anyone. Maybe you will find a burst of ideas and energy after taking it a little slower. Best of luck.
Ijeoma
You hit the nail on the head! Taking breaks is so important. Whenever I’m feeling overwhelmed or creatively uninspired, I find that the best thing to do is to turn off all things digital, relax, and take some time to myself. It’s so easy to forget OURSELVES in blogging. Thanks for this important reminder!
Isn’t That Charming.
This post really resonated with me – I’ve been blogging for 2 years and have never missed a single day of posting (save for the big holidays like Thanksgiving & Christmas). Because of this unbroken track record, I put pressure on myself to have a post go up each day, even if it isn’t the most compelling content. And I am so protective of my site & brand that I have never allowed for guest posts either. While my readers have come to rely on & appreciate this consistency from me, it’s a double-edged sword because I feel (probably inaccurately) that I cannot allow myself to go off the grid for even a day, let alone a week’s time…even though the break would do me a tremendous amount of good. I’m so grateful for you sharing this – it helps to know that I’m not alone and it is a great encouragement to me to take the leap and step back when I really need it.
xo,
Kimberly
http://www.pennypincherfashion.com
Oh girl, you deserve a break!!! Your readers love you and they want you to feel sane & inspired to bring them content that also inspires you!
I don’t beat myself up if I miss a day here and there, living live with less stress is worth it!
This is an interesting post for me because I just started blogging a few weeks ago. It isn’t my main focus but a way to add interesting content to my retail site. I’ve been having lots of fun with it so far.
Love and relate to this post so much, Meg. Yes- get back to creating! It fuels us. Glad to hear you are making time for exercize. Yoga has seriously been my saving grace this past month. xoxo
You gotta take breaks!! I am lucky that I can just blog for fun– I am most definitely not paying the rent. Even so my family gets on me about my computer/phone/IPad time.
You will certainly burn out if you don’t put it all away sometimes— not too mention risking all of your important relationships (hello husband!)
Glad to here you are seeking balance!
Xx, Lynn
This really hit home! Its been drilled into me that I should post every day but I’ve been trying to be more realistic in posting when I actually have something to post. I just got through my first trimester of pregnancy & was so exhausted that I just let the blog go. And the world did not end. So I figure I can post a little more consistently but take the pressure off to blog daily.
For me, blogging is supposed to be a fun thing and not any part of my “job”, so its silly to put pressure on myself! But I’m glad to know someone who is more professional is struggling with the same things!
We wrote about the same things today. I think it’s so hard for bloggers to let go because we can see instantly if people are engaging or not, and that is addictive and slowing down or backing off means those numbers can change, and quickly. But at the end of the day our blogs are a reflection of ourselves and if we’re not happy, our content will seem forced so it’s definitely better to take more “you” time. xoxo
It’s strange how something so great can be such a life suck. I’ve been blogging on and off for 10 years and while I enjoyed the last few years, there was more obligation in it at the end. There can definitely be too much of a good thing. Yet, there’s also an interesting thing going around that one who is creative must be creative (and creating) all the time. There’s an interesting TED talk by the woman who wrote Eat Pray Love where she talks about this and it helps release some of the pressure.
All the best to you!
Preach on, sista! I’ve taken almost an entire year off from blogging — slowly but surely I am becoming inspired again. I wish I could say I did so many amazing things during ALL of that time but every day is another chance, right?
I feel the exact same way! it’s like pulling my own teeth to get good blog ideas out!
Meg,
I read this blog post last night at 1am as I was in the bed scanning my blog reader. And I must say I agree with you.
I fell off from blogging on the regular since we moved to Miami in August. I thought I’d be sharing all of these awesome pics of palm trees and Miami places. But it turned out that LIFE happened and I had to go back to work! I was no had no time to Instagram photos and blog. But I found that the days that I went to a blogger meetup, went to the hairdresser, or a Target run, I found myself feeling like my old self = being inspired and visually stimulated.
My stats went down, But oh well. Life is more important than how many people are reading your blog.
And so funny that you mention the spring bug. Friday night I was on my laptop with a burst of excitement jotting down all of the thing I want to blog about and new businesses to create.
I think us bloggers have the natural desire to reach out and help and share. But we can’t spread our love and joy unless we make sure we’re happy at home.
Took the words right out of my mouth sista! Hope this year is bringing you the balance you seek. PS let’s catch up soon as I have many things I’d like to discuss with you!!
FORGIVE me for being a little mushy. but I love you. I love that I have gotten to know you better in person and truly see the girl behind the business.
This is such a good post, you know I totally relate and this year that has been my mission.
ME! ashlina. nurturing who I am. Going to Spain was part of that, my latin self.
thanks for always being an inspiration to us in the blog world and everyone else around the world.
adore you sweetness.
XO
ashlina