Burnout

I've always wanted this blogging business to be a very regular thing. But in doing so, I burn myself out.

Writing, Blog Posting, Reading, Preparing stuff for teaching, all whilst trying to make sure I eat regularly, remind myself what the sun on my skin feels like, and maybe clean the flat before it starts to smell.

Lots of people have tips for productivity. The "don't break the chain" seems to work quite well for some. I tried that in January, and it burnt me out big time. I was so looking forward to participating in the blogging A-Z in April, but by the time it rolled around I was so exhausted that the very idea of trying to create 26 blog posts made me feel a little nauseous.

The last post I made was in March, and it's now June? What happened to me? Major burnout. The idea of clicking on the little orange blogger tab turned my head. I'd stopped doing it because I wanted to, and it became more of an obligation. And with obligations comes the inevitable guilt when they're not met. And the longer I was away, the worse it felt.

I think burnout is a big factor in why I never finish any WIP's. I've taken a look back at all the stories that I've started in the last few years and they've always been grand sweeping epics that needed at least three books to do it justice. But stamina is something you need to build, and as I approached the first 20,000 of each of these epics, the journey ahead just seemed too long. The light at the end of the tunnel wasn't even a pin prick.

But I've realised something. I'm not ready for that. You can't pick up a musical instrument and begin to play symphonies. No wonder I'm getting fed up. No-one can write a three novel saga straight out of the gate!

Luckily, the muse has descended on me once again and I think what she's given me is a bit more of a manageable mouthful. I'm beginning to feel a bit more relaxed about putting fingers to the keyboard again. Hence, why I'm blogging again.

But I'm going easy. I don't want to get burned again.

Sarah x