Excerpts from: When Blogging Becomes a Slog by Steven Kurutz, NYTimes.com:
The Petersiks’ trademark gung-ho enthusiasm seemed forced. And since the birth of their second child, Teddy, in April, they were increasingly voicing their difficulty in balancing work and family…the couple responded in a post titled “Feeeeeelings,” in which they confessed to “feeling off for a while” and missing the days when “we did this for the love.” Although they had scaled back outside projects to recommit to the blog, they were unable to shake the sense of “letting you guys down repeatedly.” They had decided to step away from Young House Love for an indeterminate period and explore other career options. The unexpected announcement has generated more than 4,000 comments so far.
Ms. Petersik responded in an email that “we really would like to clear our heads and refocus.” But they are not alone in their experience. Blogger burnout seems to be something that many of their colleagues in the world of home and D.I.Y. blogs, most of them in their 20s and early 30s, can relate to as well. Is the first generation of design bloggers aging out of the blogosphere? Or is this just a new twist on an old business story, updated for the Internet age?
…A tricky thing to avoid as a full-time blogger, considering that the Internet never sleeps, readers want fresh content daily and new social media platforms must be mastered and added to the already demanding workload.
…Pam Kueber…sees the Petersiks’ escalating stress levels and unhappiness simply as evidence of the latter: A passion turns into a hobby, which becomes a full-time career. “And in some predictable period of time, it consumes your life and sucks the joy out if it,” said Ms. Kueber, finishing the arc. “That last part of the Shakespearean tragedy is what you have to be mindful of not letting happen.”
Read full story @ When Blogging Becomes a Slog by Steven Kurutz, NYTimes.com
Image: Egozy
Moderation is the key to life…
That’s it Alex. Right there.
What! You mean bloggers are human!?
Some are!
This is why I only blog when I want to. I know I’ll never conquer the world, but I’m a little stubborn and like things my way. 😉
Beautifully stated Olivia. I’m squarely with you.
And btw, your comment (and certainly not you) reminded me of a quote by the notorious James Frey (A Million Little Pieces):
http://online.wsj.com/articles/james-frey-hasnt-given-up-on-writing-1411665102
Ha ha! I like it. That’s me. 😉
Not quite what to infer from this post, David. I would say that if it has started to dominate your world, you need to assert yourself! Don’t let yourself become a Blog victim.Personally I have run out of Blog fuel recently, but I think it’s because I have been distracted, and it will pass.
Hi Michael. My take, like Alex mentioned above, “in all things, moderation.”
Interesting
I’m with Olivia. I only blog when I have something to say that tickles *me.* Also, I’m not a home or DIY blog, long past my 20s & 30s, and can’t imagine doing it full-time as a career. Phew! I’m safe!
We’re all safe! (Thankfully)
Reblogged this on Views from the Hill and commented:
I can so thoroughly relate to this.
We all can Larry, to different degrees. Thanks for sharing.
Ah yes…the need for setting your own pace and letting it carry the day..when it becomes a compulsion, it ceases to bring joy, or insight, or….
Yes, yes, yes….
have to go with your instinct on this and only do what you feel is right, never force it –
Agree Beth. I’m with you…
I blog when the urge to write hits me. My blog, my rules 🙂 MJ
You tell ’em MJ!
On Sunday, September 28, 2014, Live & Learn wrote:
>
When I first started I followed the edict of posting every day. I can really tell the posts where my heart was in it vs. the ones where I was checking the box.
No more checking the box 🙂 ~ this is supposed to be fun, right? Happy Sunday! MJ
Right!
I think running a blog can end up exhausting you. Maybe bloggers should take ‘blog holidays’ a break from it all! 😉 I’m coming up to my second year this November, and planning a bit of a break from all internet media. I feel if I don’t I could quite easily get unbalanced in many ways. But I wonder what it is that the Petersiks’ are so exhausted with? They don’t look like they have the kind of blog where they are reading or commenting on blog friends posts. I actually find that’s the most time consuming part of blogging, and I know others have indicated that to me too, and also answering comments. Very rewarding though, I can’t imagine a blog without that kind of interaction.
Are they just running out of ideas maybe? 😐
I agree Suzy. Without community, it becomes a job. And I think that’s where they’ve landed.