Hey Lovelies, I hope everyone has had a great week so far. This post is a little different for me and a little more personal.
Lately, I’ve been feeling overwhelmed on the border of burned out. I’ve been second guessing myself and haven’t been posting as much as usual because I’m just tired and unmotivated which takes me to what I want to talk about today.
How many times have you said, “I really should be working on a blog post right now?” but then procrastination sets in and 1 hour passes, then 2 hours turn into 3 until you’ve wasted a whole day and haven’t written one word. Then there’s the other side of the coin where you’re so tired that your mind is a total blank and no ideas will come to life. The creative vault is just…empty. No matter how hard you try you cannot come up with a post idea; nothing comes to mind.
Today, I’m going to give you some tips on how to get out of the creative rut and out of your own way. These methods have been helping me lately and although I’m still not blogging my usual three days a week, it’s helped keeps me consistently putting out content every week. No one said blogging was easy.
“Desire is the key to motivation, but it’s determination and commitment to an unrelenting pursuit of your goal – a commitment to excellence – that will enable you to attain the success you seek.” – Mario Andretti
So you have the idea but lack the motivation to sit down and put thought to action. All you want to do is nothing. You’d rather sit on the couch and watch mindless television. I think we have all been there, haven’t we? What do you do?
Do Nothing
Seriously, do absolutely nothing. If you lack the motivation to write, then you probably shouldn’t. Because what will happen, you will write garbage and believe me, it will show that absolutely no effort went into what you wrote and you just posted it for the sake of posting. Don’t do it!
Rest
There are times when your body talks to you and says, “Girl, you need to sit down!” My advice is to listen. Procrastination can of course border on laziness but sometimes you just need to rest. With all the responsibilities of our daily lives (work, school, kids, family, etc), we need to take the time to recover and regroup. Blogging on top of our daily stresses can take a huge toll on our bodies not to mention our personal relationships. So shut down once in a while, meditate, go out on a date, sleep (yes, sleep!), listen to music, dance a little and then get back to it. You may feel revived and get your creative juices going again.
“Sleep is the best meditation.” – Dalai Lama
Now on to my next point.
The Internet
What happens when you can’t put the proverbial pen to paper (because we all type now, right?). Well, I still put pen to paper (I wrote this entire post, then typed it up).
Your brain isn’t working for you – your mind is completely blank. This is when I start looking for inspiration. There’s so much inspiration all around us, we just have to open our eyes and see. Not to mention, the internet. Instead of forcing a blog idea or getting an idea at midnight when it’s time to go to bed (yeah, that’s happened to me on numerous occasions), I will turn to the good old world wide web and social media. When I’m lost on ideas, Bloglovin’ is my #1 resource for inspiration. Do you realize how much of an asset Bloglovin’ is to bloggers? I don’t use it as often as I should but every time I scroll through the pages or visit blogs, I get so inspired that all I want to do is write. There are so many talented bloggers who use that platform and I love that Bloglovin’ gives you access to all that creativity. On the other hand, when I need outfit ideas, I turn to Instagram and Pinterest which in itself can become overwhelming at times and I have to remind myself to put my phone down.
Google Search
Performing a simple search on Google for blog ideas is helpful as well. It yields a ton of results. You just have to weed through the ones that interest you.
Additionally, when you need that extra push, blogging groups are a great way to go. Not only do they give you exposure but they motivate you to be your best blogging selves and encourage you to put out great content.
I belong to a blogging group called Style Collective and I can’t tell you what a blessing it has been for me. By joining this group, I have met an incredible group of inspiring women who are so supportive of each other and they make you feel like you’re a part of something larger. I’ve been blogging for 9 months now but I know that when I started out, I was lost with no clear direction of how to navigate the blogging world. Once I joined this group, all that changed for me. They made me want to succeed, not just be. Every few weeks, I second-guess myself and my ability to continue to put out good content, and there are times when I’m just exhausted and feel like giving up. But then I check in with my girls and all is right with the world again. The bloggers that make up Style Collective are all from different backgrounds and genres. Their blogs cover fashion, lifestyle, food, fitness, etc.
This group is the perfect platform for bloggers especially new bloggers who feel a little overwhelmed and lost in this saturated community of ours. I have increased engagement on my blog as well as my social media platforms (instagram, twitter, facebook) because of this group.
“Do what you love, love what you do.”
If you feel like you could use the extra support, Style Collective is a great place to start. Membership is only $10/month but it’s totally worth it in my opinion. There’s always someone to help with any questions you may have about blogging platforms (WordPress, Blogger, Squarespace, etc) because we’ve all been there at some point. Our motto is “We rise by lifting others” and we do.
If you’d like to become a part of this amazing group or if you have any questions, please feel free to email me via my contact page. If you’d like a little more inspiration, check out #StyleCollective on instagram.
Let’s continue to support each other. Have a blessed day everyone.
Lovely and very inspiring. This is me of recent. . Need to get remotivated.
It’s so hard right? I guess we just have to take it one day at a time. Thanks for reading!
What a wonderful post. So inspiring! Love the tips.
Thanks for sharing this with us.
Happy weekend!
Kisses, Raysa
Thank you so much Raysa! Glad you enjoyed it. Xoxo
I SO NEEDED every word of this. THANK YOU!
http://www.dressupbuttercup.com
You’re so welcome. Xoxo
Gail – this was great! I am with you – I have my moments where I am SO INTO BLOGGING and then other’s where I am just want to throw my phone out the window! My creativity goes through ups and downs and I think it’s just part of the process. I love Style Collective and it has been a saving grace to me in more ways than one. I am SO SO glad that you are part of this crazy journey with us. Great tips and it’s definitely okay to take breaks!
You should listen this Jamie Foxx interview, he has some really great stories about motivation and I love one quote he has about Will Smith – how Will Smith will take breaks from making movies but doesn’t feel the need to constantly stay in the spotlight because when he does pop back into the movie scene, people immediately forget that he was ever gone. They know who he is and they are loyal, so it doesn’t matter if he takes a break! The break allows him to regroup and come back better and more creative! httpsss://fourhourworkweek.com/2015/12/06/jamie-foxx/
xo Annie
httpsss://thelovelygirl.co
Hey Annie, I’ll check out that Jamie Foxx interview. I agree 100% that it’s okay to take breaks. The world will still be there when you get back. You ladies have changed the game for me and make me want to keep going. Thank you so much Annie. Xoxo
Ummmm I love this!!! It is soo easy to get overwhelmed with life, work, family, then throw blogging in and it is just a mess sometimes. I haven’t written a blog in almost a month, I cranked one out today, but I am no apologizing for it. I do this for fun and bevasue I love to, the second it starts to just be “work” is when it is no longer fulfilling. I blog as an escape, not to add more to my plate! This was soo well written and it is so true. Our #StyleCollectiveSisters are amazing and so supportive. I am soo very glad I have had everyone since the beginning of my blog journey. Idk what I would have done without them!
You’re so right, it’s no longer fun when it becomes work. I’m so happy to have become a part of this supportive group. Thanks for reading love. Xoxo
This is full of such amazing suggestions! Thanks for writing up and sharing love. Hugs, Kait
http://www.makeminemaroon.com
Thanks for reading Kait! Xoxo
I have also been feeling the same way lately so I have just been shutting everything down and not worrying about it. Been a lot happening for us lately and it has been overwhelming, so best not to push it. Great tips! Thanks for this reminder
I hear you. It’s better to just let things be and not force it. Thanks for reading Robert! ?
I love this post! I completely understand – sometimes I’m 100% gung-ho, and other days I just have no energy to even think about blogging! It must be this time of year or something… I’ve found that many bloggers are hitting a rut right now. So strange, but the highs and lows are inevitable! Thanks for sharing your tips, I will definitely be using a few of them! XOXO 🙂
Thanks so much Amanda. I guess we all have to go through this at some point so that we can step back and reassess things. Thanks for reading love. Xoxo
This is great Gail. Very inspiring.
COM
Thank you my love. Xoxo
I love this post and especially the “do nothing” tip because that has saved my writing in more ways than one. This whole month has been super busy and I honestly believe in unplugging to get your life together before getting back to blogging (after all, it’s not my full time job). It’s great to grow a blog but if there are more important and pressing issues you need to take care of then do that first. That mentality has helped me focus on my priorities.
Great post, Gail. Preach it!
xo Mariam
http://www.thepetitebijou.com
I definitely go through phases where I have absolutely no motivation to do any writing whatsoever. Sometimes you really do need to just let it pass! I’m getting better at that with time. I’ve also been blogging for 9 months:) (which it feels crazy to say that- I feel like I just started!) Such a good post:)
Emily
Darling, Dearest
This was so encouraging. We all need to rest especially if we aren’t having a glimmer of inspiration to actually write. I love that you suggested Bloglovin’. I don’t use it enough.
Xo,
Angelle
http://www.dashingdarlin.com
Oh my gosh can’t we all relate to this one!! It’s so important to open up about the REALness behind blogging -because it isn’t easy!! I actually just wrote an article about the ups and downs of my journey as a blogger // writer- and the importance of continuing to push forward and believe in your own abilities (so we are clearly on the same wave length. :)) )
(Annd ps- i also write up my posts on paper first! It helps so much!)
-Ryan
http://www.sheonlylivesonce.com
I completely agree with your first point. If one isn’t feeling inspired one would be putting out crappy content anyway…
Right?! Just don’t do it. Thanks for reading love. xoxo
These are such great tips, Gail! I often struggle with this and am so glad I have my Style Collective ladies as a constant support system.
xoxo, CiCi
http://www.worldwidestylista.com
Yes, being a part of this group makes a world of difference. Xoxo
Thank you for writing this post Gail! I have my days too girl! Your tips are great and thanks for the inspiration that I’ll remember!! So glad to have you as my style collective sister! Xo, Roselyn
Aww, thank you Roselyn. I’m glad that I was able to provide some type of inspiration with this post. No one said this was easy, right? Hope you’re having a relaxing Sunday. Xoxo
Social media and blogging is so emotional…crazy ups and downs! Thank goodness we have this amazing community to support each other.
XO,
Anna
http://www.blushingrosestyle.com
Hear hear! Xoxo
Love this post! Really useful and inspiring! Thanks for sharing 🙂
P.S. Your blog is awesome!!
https://fromdreamtoplan.wordpress.com/
Thank you so much! Xx
Really loved this! I blog rarely unfortunately & I feel when I’ve forced the post is just…. BLAH. I’m more in lifestyles with some fashion & it’s hard to come up with something everyone else is doing but putting your own twist on it.
You are spot on so keep up the good work! ❤️