Thursday, March 19, 2015

Feeling Burnt Out... ♥

Some things in life are more important than blogging... like frolicking about with your toddler who won't be small forever.
 Recently I have become to feel disillusioned with the blogging world, something which I never thought would happen but it seems to be increasing day by day. I am not ashamed to say how hard I work on my blog, I am a perfectionist when it comes to its presentation and how I represent myself, my thoughts and my family but recently the workload is becoming too much, especially for something which is just a hobby. Yesterday I spent a total of ten hours preparing posts to go live over the coming days due to review deadlines I had to meet. I felt so under pressure and as though I couldn't relax all day - I never want to feel this way again.

I don't want to feel under pressure when this hobby of mine is something I'm supposed to enjoy. I want my blog to be filled with all the things I love and share with the world and right now the things I am wanting to share the most have been put on the back burner because other posts have had to take priority and because I simply don't have the energy to prepare these posts in the perfect way they should be. This is not right and not how it's supposed to be. This, of course, is all my own fault, I need to learn to say no to people instead of always wanting to be the good girl and help people out whenever I can. I want to spend more time perfecting my photography, being outdoors and simply enjoying life.

I have decided that after my current review posts have gone live that I will not be accepting any review products for awhile, not because I don't want to or couldn't do with the products but because I am simply exhausted and please don't get me wrong, I am so incredibly grateful for every opportunity that comes my way, I am just feeling so under pressure and cannot deal with it anymore. There are some days that I don't eat, I go straight onto the laptop of a morning and that's where I stay until I just can't stare at the screen any longer. There are days when my house falls into ruin because I am too busy working on this blog and this is not the way it should be.

After some upcoming posts have gone live I am taking a break. I need this break to have a rethink and see what direction I want to take in life. I would love to make my blog a professional thing for me but I am constantly overlooked and don't get the opportunities which other bloggers get so right now it's impossible for me to do that. I'm not going to lie, it's frustrating when bloggers with less of a following and who I feel don't have the best of blogs get picked for the same or more opportunities than me, it makes me wonder why I have worked so hard building up a following and making things as perfect as I possibly can. I probably sound like such a bitch, but if I'm not honest then I'm nothing at all. I feel like a lot of people read my blog for the wrong reasons and sometimes I feel quite alone within the blogging world because I don't have any real blogging friends who I can chat to and share my woes with. I no longer feel that it's acceptable for me to spend so long on the laptop, so long working on this blog which doesn't seem to be appreciated by anyone but me, perhaps I'm wrong but when I feel like this I can't see the positives anymore and I can no longer lie awake at night worrying about things that have to be done for the blog and for the people I work with.

I'm feeling burnt out and it's not a good feeling. It's so horrible to feel disillusioned with something you love. I just need a break and a chance to recollect my thought. Absence makes the heart grow fonder, or so I hope.
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30 comments

  1. I started thinking to do with my life because I was not happy, decided to leave the university and with it made the decision to move out of the country. Now I feel happy and calm was the best for me.
    Rafflecopter: gemma

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  2. I was startign to feel so under pressure just before Christmas for review deadline, I turned away lots and didn't bother writing a few because you know what at the end of the day I'm not getting paid, samples of products doesn't pay the bills and me writing a post takes sometimes hours and it's advertisement for them across all my social media platforms. I would love to turn blogging into a paid job but I don't think companies realise our worth and think we should wrote and advertise for them for free, it's crazy!
    Also I think you have to stop comparing yourself and your blog to what other bloggers are doing/getting, I had to because you would drive yourself mad, you know? I'm sure there are loads of opportunities you've gotten that other bloggers haven't so concentrate on what you do have and how well you are doing xx

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  3. This is exactly how I felt last year and why I took the big long break over december, it's not right feeling that amount of pressure over a hobby, I have learned to get picky about what i review and I do more of what I enjoy on my blog. You need to do what makes you happy, and you can chat to me anytime, I mean that, you are a great blogger don't push yourself too hard xx

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  4. sweet lady, your blog is so wonderful and I always look forwards to your updates. Please don't put any pressure on yourself and if you need to take time out then do! Take time to relax and enjoy life away from the blogging world, we will always be here when you return xx

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  5. I'm sorry you're feeling this way. <3 It seems you are exhausted and badly need a break.
    I enjoy reading your blog, you always post such beautiful photos and reading your posts is always a pleasure for me. Take a break, spend some time outside with your sweet little boy and relax. :)

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  6. Everyone needs a break now and again and you deserve one. I often find myself having to cut down on accepting reviews and work due to just having too much. In fact im so far behind atm once i'm done with these reviews im not accepting anymore either for a while as I don't want to feel as if i have so much to do xx

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  7. Sorry to hear you're feeling like this, I just wanted to comment and say I really enjoy reading your blog and it's obvious how much thought and attention you put in xxx

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  8. You sound completely overwhelmed. Best thing to do is to take a break, recharge yourself, have fun. Then when you feel refreshed, take a step back and look at where you are and where you want to go. Like you said this is a hobby and it should be fun and part time.

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  9. This happens to me with things I am passionate about. I need to take a break from it or I start dreading doing it again. Take all the time you need :)

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  10. I know exactly how you feel! I tried so hard to be a successful Etsy shop owner, but I never felt relevant. It seemed like the harder I tried the more invisible I became. My last straw was when Etsy started allowing mass produced items that drowned out the handmade and vintage sellers. I finally decided it was time to let my Etsy shop go and focus on selling locally. I do miss connecting with other online vintage sellers/collectors, but closing my shop was definitely the best choice for me.

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  11. We all deserve a break once in awhile! :) Your blog is amazing! Thanks for all the great giveaways

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  12. Girlfriend it is natural to feel burnt out from time to time, you have to give yourself breaks, or little vacations, so you dont' feel over loaded!!! Relax and let cha self go they say!! Everyone else will have to wait!!

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  13. I love your blog. Hope you enjoy switching off the computer. Deadlines take the fun out of everything. Enjoy chilling :)

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  14. aw I love your blogs fiona, they are so down to earth and "normal", I certainly appreciate them as I'm sure a lot of your followers do...but if you need a break, then you need a break, I hope you come back soon, all refreshed and with a vengeance xx

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  15. Fiona, I just wanted to pop in and say that I avidly read your blog. Have done since day one. It is one of the blogs that inspired me to start my own. I also want to say that I've always recognised the work and time you put in to it. Sure, it's you who I voted for in many categories for the Irish Parenting Blog Awards. In particular, it looks the part. And you are a great writer. You can always talk to me if you would like a blogging friend. Hope you'll be back feeling better soon, and in the meantime I hope you enjoy your time as mammy to beautiful Tyler Lee! Tracey x

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  16. I absolutely adore your blog and have a genuine interest in what you and your gorgeous son are getting up to, so please don't feel as though everyone out there is reading your blog for the wrong reasons...because I'm certainly not! :)

    I hope the break does you good and you start enjoying it again ♥ xx

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  17. Fiona, another honest, heartfelt posting. What you're going through is completely natural. Just think about it: You've just hit one of life's milestones by turning 25. I remember feeling so let down by myself that I'd lived for a quarter of a century and achieved what I perceived to be so little.

    Take a break, be kind to yourself, take Yaz's advice (above) and try to stop comparing yourself to others (a lot easier said than done, I know) and you will soon realise all the positive things that you DO have: a wonderful little family, the freedom to choose how much or how little you blog about and your youth. You WILL learn to say no & to prioritise.

    I too am a perfectionist and most of the pressure I feel comes from within. I'm now in my 50s & no-one has erected a monement to me (yet) but I have learnt to laugh & enjoy life which is far more important. Take care.

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  18. I'm sorry you're feeling this way

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  19. I'm sorry you're feeling this way

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  20. I agree with Dana ˄ it's inevitable that all moms will feel burnt out from time to time! I found that just being a mom with two little ones was enough to exhaust me on a regular basis. It really is hard to find a healthy balance, but it's something you have to be aware of and make a conscious effort to do. Remember to take care of yourself first, then you will be better able to care for everyone/thing else. Good luck - and you have a very lovely page!

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  21. So sorry to read this. All the above advice is very good. Blogging is a difficult world and doing what you do is cut throat and to a large degree thankless.
    I think a break will help you think this through. You are a breed apart from many bloggers, your professionalism and effort shines through. I wonder if you began a personal blog which you could use for whatever you wished, would help mark out the territory for you between your 'hobby' blogging and the blogging you do for reviews.
    Whatever you do I hope you put together all the lessons you've learned so far and come out stronger. As you say this is not making you money yet, so it's a lot of energy with poor return, but I think you have a lot to offer, I hope you don't give up, you've worked too hard.
    As for no blogging friends, I know I'm ancient but I'm a great listener, contact me anytime. Be good to your self.

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  22. You honestly deserve a break dear, we surely aren't going anywhere, and we will be eagerly awaiting your return! I bet you'll come back with more motivation than you ever had! Enjoy the time off!
    I understand the frustration of not feeling appreciated/good enough though.. that's what keeps me from starting to blog!

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  23. take as much time as you need!

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  24. Beautiful picture and beautiful moment love it <3 Lovely post <3

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  25. Thanks for these words, I understand your feelings very well....

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  26. Sometime, I have the same feeling. I want to take a break, refresh my self and doit for begining.

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  27. Its easy enough to just type words at people but I have found that women as Mums and wives sisters daughters etc put a lot of worry, expectation and stress into being super woman. We ae loving human beings who strive to do out best but if it is wearing you down. Take a you break. You deserve it and maybe it will recharge your batteries and give you time to reflect. I have high expectations of myself and have learnt not to take on too much and decide what is really important and that getting help from friends and family is ok. I worked so hard at everything I became so run down and had a heart to heart with myself and reached out to my loved ones. Take care and remember how awesome you are :)

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  28. Sometimes a break from your routine is the very thing you need so you don't have to justify in any way. ☺

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  29. Sorry to hear you have been feeling so pressured. I love reading your blog - and reading the wonderful things you and Tyler-Lee get up to. Anyone who overlooks Dolly Dowsie is missing a major opportunity, and I can't imagine how down-heartening and frustrating that must be. A break is sometimes just what we need - enjoy it! x

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  30. Oh sweetie, you're not being a "b" at all. As your son grows older, your life and the amount of time you have is changing. Personally, I would absolutely miss your posts. Your style and outlook is very similar to mine and I always look forward to your posts. I'm being sincere about this. I follow several blogs and will mark many posts as "read". I never do that with yours because the posts are so fun and intriguing. Also, I can see the perfection that you put into your blog and the posts and truly appreciate it. It's so refreshing compared to others. Overall though, take a break and enjoy the Spring time outdoors, taking pictures and enjoying your family. I'll still be here waiting to read when you get back. :)

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