Two weeks ago, I wrote my 100th post here on Type 1 Writes. It still felt so unreal to me. That I had accomplished something I had put off for so long, and kept at it. Something that had seemed so overwhelming and so complex was actually just as simple as writing from the heart. Something that I had only ever imagined in my wildest dreams was now a reality. I felt so proud and accomplished, but at the same time I couldn’t help but feel that it was the right time to succumb to my growing exhaustion.
I guess in the past month, I’ve been pushing myself a little too hard. In these past few weeks, my brain has been exploding with ideas to write about. From things that happened during the day, to some super dooper #OzDOC chat topics, to other good reading within the Diabetes Online Community. There seemed to be no shortage of ideas, and I was pushing myself to get these ideas into blog posts. I was churning out more writing than normal, and it got to the point where blogging stopped being fun.
To top it all off, the peak of my burnout just happened to be on the #DayOfDiabetes that I was so looking forward to participating in. The #DayOfDiabetes where the Diabetes Online Community would partake in a day of live tweeting their condition. It pained me to Tweet this, but I had absolutely no energy or motivation to take part in #DayOfDiabetes (or to even read your Tweets like I promised).
Hope everyone has a great #dayofdiabetes. Just didn't feel like doing it today, but look forward to reading about yours!
— Frank (@FrankSita) September 22, 2015
So, how does one deal with, and hopefully overcome, blogging burnout?
I stopped.
I logged out of Twitter, I logged out of WordPress and I put my foot on the brakes.
I took some time to do some of the other things that I enjoy. Like watching the new season of Survivor Second Chance that I’ve been looking forward to ever since it was announced. Finally finishing my 877 page book that I’ve been reading for several weeks. And spending some time in the sunshine and fresh air.
I reminded myself of why I write. Because it helps, and motivates me. I reminded myself of why I love being a part of the Diabetes Online Community. Because you inspire me, and help me feel less alone. And I reminded myself of all of the good things that have come from this experience.
Two days later I finally felt inspired to write again, thanks to a compelling #OzDOC chat topic that week. I brought my laptop outside and wrote for a while in the sunshine, before switching off again for much of the weekend.
And going forward, that’s what I intend to do. To keep writing when I’m inspired. To keep writing from the heart. And to keep having fun. I won’t push myself to write when I don’t feel like it, and I won’t write more than my usual four posts a week for the time being.
Also for fun, I’m taking on the #DOCtober photo challenge this month thanks to Kerri at Six Until Me. I will do my best to post a diabetes related photo each day with the hashtag #DOCtober – follow me on Instagram to keep up!
https://instagram.com/p/8VXj1fg_QVEDvRc9IE8v0unsIyvPIjc58eFfc0/
