So much has changed since the last time I posted, both in my life and in the blogging world. My last few posts lacked substance, and I figured that if I was losing interest in my own blog, why would anyone else want to read it? When I began a new job, the last thing I wanted to do when I came home was read. Review copies piled up and the blog added stress. Blogging was just supposed to be fun--an outlet where I could share thoughts and ideas and be able to discuss my favorite stories with other people who shared similar interests. In the end, it became an obligation. I realized that I wasn't reading to read. I was reading to promote.
While I loved being able to help authors by spreading the word about their new books, release dates hung over my head and I knew I couldn't keep up. I wasn't in it for the fun anymore. At first I thought that I would take a short break. Just enough time to catch my breath, focus on another hobby, and come back feeling refreshed. I left, but as you can see, it took me nearly two years to feel confident that this is what I truly wanted to do for myself.
As of right now, I'm reading a little book that you may or may not have heard of by now. It's only been collecting dust on my shelves for the past 3 or 4 years. That book is called Divergent by Veronica Roth, and I can gladly say that it has restored my love in reading. I want to consume more stories that make me feel similar emotions. I want to read for pleasure again. I will no longer waste my time on books that don't captivate me, because this is what I end up missing out on.
That being said, you probably shouldn't expect to see daily posts from me anytime soon. I'm going to take this slow so I don't get overwhelmed again, but I'll also try and add new features to the blog in order to keep things exciting! I can't wait to dive into new worlds, meet new characters and take you along with me. Thank you for sticking around this long!
Welcome back, Chey! Great to see you've found your love for reading and your purpose for blogging again! That's awesome. A slow start sounds like good idea, but it's great to have you back in the blogging world! :D
ReplyDeleteThank you so much! It's so nice to see a familiar face. Your kind words make me feel like I definitely made the right decision to come back! :)
DeleteWelcome back!
ReplyDeleteI've been going through the same things as you. At the end of 2013 I also had a major blogging slump, but instead of leaving, I went to a group blog. And then I got a major slump again - for all the same reasons as you: everything felt like "work" or a chore, release dates and review copies were weighing me down. So I moved back to the solo blog and now I'm applying your same philosophies: reading to read because it's fun, not posting every day, and doing everything I can to not stress myself out.
I hope this all works out for you! Blogging is supposed to be a fun hobby, not a stressful job. I can't wait to see your upcoming posts, daily or not. :)
Also, Divergent is the perfect slump-breaker. It's not my favorite book in the world, but it *is* fast paced and exciting and it's got some great romance scenes. :D
I think all of us go through something like this at some point, it's just sad when it ends up draining all the passion you have for blogging! Glad to know that I'm not alone, but it looks like you're doing well so far!
DeleteThis is such a great pots, and echoes many of the sentiments that I've felt about blogging over the past year too. I invested in a new blog design, so I felt that I couldn't give up on my blog altogether after spending so much money on it, but at the same time, the inspiration was seriously lacking. I love that you picked up a book that had been collecting dust on your shelves too. I'm going to make a commitment next year to read more of those older titles on my shelves -- I know that I was passionate about reading the book when I first bought them, so I know that I'll love them, but I just haven't found the time to read them. I think I get distracted by shiny new releases and forget about back list titles sometimes =P
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