The Struggle Is Real

reading mug

I’m a liar. I lied when I said I’d be back to regular updates this week and going on a comment spree. I didn’t do that. I swear I wanted to but I got busy. I’m so terribly busy- that’s the problem. 

I feel like I’m trying to juggle so much stuff and my blog’s suffering because of it. Okay, I’m being a little melodramatic. My blog’s fine but I miss sharing creative/interesting posts and reviews on awesome books I’ve been reading. I just feel like there’s nothing new on the blog and even I’m growing a little bored of it. That’s no good. I don’t want my blog to be sluggish.

But as much as I want to rejuvenate it, I have so much other stuff to work on. Like reading for one. I’ve been reading so little lately and I feel like I’m falling out with it, always struggling to find a good book that’s unputdownable. I keep picking up books only to put them back down a few pages in. Being a mood reader is tough sometimes.

Then there’s work and school. My design shop is going great but that means I have a lot of work to do. I’m not even accepting orders anymore at the moment just because my hands are really full. I’m also taking classes this summer starting tomorrow and I’ve got a really horrible schedule which is really just ugh. I don’t even wanna know the amount of school work I’m gonna have to deal with.

And how can I forget? I’m doing Camp NaNoWriMo. It’s what I’ve really focused on this past week (which is why I haven’t been able to get other things done despite being mostly free) and I’m at a good pace (50% already woot!) but I’m so worried I won’t be able to write that much anymore these coming weeks because of school.

Really why aren’t there more hours in a day to do all these things I love? Being so busy and having so little time is seriously a struggle right now. It doesn’t help that I’m not very effective when it comes to managing my time and sometimes just end up watching TV/anime or taking a nap.

All that said, please know that I’m always going to find time for reading and blogging and everything else. It won’t be easy or pretty (I bet I’ll be losing lots of sleep) but I’ll figure something out. You do what you got to do after all, right? And anyway, good things come to those who hustle.

PS: The photo above has no relation whatsoever to what I actually wrote here. But hey, don’t you think my reading mug is super cute? ;)

Do you ever struggle with juggling all the things you want to do? How are you able to manage your time?

20 Responses

  1. I’ve been struggling with my blog lately. I’ve read a few bad books, and it got to me. And then I had the stomach flu for over a week.

    I’m trying to get back into things this week by finishing the book I’ve been reading, and then I’ll definitely schedule a few more posts to get things rolling again. Thank goodness I had some scheduled so things didn’t get to be nonexistent, but the unexpected break was definitely needed.

  2. Hazel, I completely understand where you are coming from. When you’re overwhelmed by work, school, or other aspects of life, blogging suffers. I find myself writing about the same things lately, but because school is what I am consumed by, it is all I can share right now.

    I wish I had some good advice as to what to do for you! I think what I can say is that sometimes you just have to go with it and eventually you’ll have the “Aha!” moment that gets you back to where you want to be.

  3. I honestly wouldn’t worry about it if I were you because I think we all have times like that especially for book bloggers because as well as doing the regular things in the day, we not only have to blog but we have to read as well or we won’t have anything to blog about!
    Don’t get me wrong, I love reading but sometimes it feels like a task since I started my blog because even if I’m really tired and just don’t want to do anything, I still read despite maybe not wanting to because I know I have to finish that book before whenever so that I can do a review on it.
    Don’t worry we all have times like that :)

  4. Oh honey, I totally get where you’re coming from! It’s so easy to become overwhelmed, especially when you’re trying to juggle school and a business and a blog and some sort of life… If it’s any consolation, I’m going through the same thing – trying to set up a business and blog and everything else is so hard! It will get better though – just keep on keeping on!
    Beth x

  5. I completely agree!
    I’m struggling to put in the effort required to actually gain some interest in my blog due to work and general life commitments! It’s nice to read an honest approach to blogging! Not everyone is able to spend all day taking beautiful photographs and writing general musings!
    I hope you find a healthy balance!

    :)

  6. Hazel, I completely know how you feel right now. I’ve been in a huge blogging slump, too, and I think Camp NaNoWriMo and school are to blame. I’m having a ton of fun with Camp NaNo, though, and I have 32k already, so even though my blog is suffering now, it’s worth it. Hopefully I’ll be able to get out of my slump when I’m done with this draft of my WIP. And hopefully you can get out of your blogging slump too!

  7. I can totally relate Hazel! School has me soo busy, and the only reading I’ve been having gone for is assigned reading, and my posts have been pretty sporadic. I wish I had some advice for you, but I haven’t found a way yet. But I’ve been thinking of trying to set aside an hour at the same time every day to blog, even if I don’t finish a post. I don’t think an hour will set anyone too behind schedule and at least that way I know I’ll have a new post out eventually!

  8. I opt to be far away from my blog for like 2 weeks when I don’t feel like writing anything. It’s like when I force myself with anything, it just makes matters worse for me. Maybe take a time off, maybe for a few days or when you feel like you can actually come back and while on break, maybe you can come up with ideas that you think can make your blog more interesting if you are getting bored with it.

  9. Hear, hear! I have the same sentiments, Hazel! I’ve always said the same things, like reading more, blogging more, writing more, but it doesn’t really happen because everything seems to get in the way. I sometimes just sit back and think of a way to do all the things I love to do, but nothing ever comes up. I keep on using the excuse that I’m still coping up with the real world (being a working girl), but it’s been almost a year since I graduated… Ugh. Anyway, that’s almost everyone’s problem these days! We really do need extra hours in a day! But I’m sure we will all find a way to do all the things we love to do! :)

  10. Before I say anything of huge importance (unlikely) I have to say this – I legitimately inwardly screamed when I saw the photo of that cup. It must be the cutest and most beautiful thing (or just cup) I’ve ever seen in my life.

    I obviously struggle with this a lot if you throw in a tad of complete lack of inspiration to write somewhere in there. All the tips I could give you haven’t worked for me, so I don’t see a fair way to pass them on to you. In the end, I guess I just want to say – prioritize and do your thing. Remember that neither your blog, nor the readers, are going anywhere. If you need to get busy with something else, that is completely fine. Everyone will wait and rejoice when you have the time and energy to write posts that you are proud of.

    And best of luck to all the affairs you have to take care of right now :)

  11. I can totally relate to you!I had this same situation going on for some weeks.I just couldn’t get enough time for my blog,and when I do,I feel so drained out of my energy,that I couldn’t bring myself to do anything productive.
    These phases are inevitable love!But they do pass by,so just let it go.I am pretty sure your readers will understand your struggle.And I hope you’ll be back in track soon.

    P.S:That mug is co cute:)I love reading mugs!

  12. Wow, don’t we all? Balance is like the one thing that I want to achieve in life. I mean, if I could balance everything that I love then I’d be the happiest person out here! I still have heaps to do and it’s already 21:33 and I have school tomorrow so there’s no way I’m getting my eight hours. Sigh.
    Thing is, sometimes you do drift into these slump-not-slumps but soon enough you’ll pick up your pace and whizz through another productive phase. ^.^ It happens to the best of us, but keep going Hazel. You’re doing great! :D

  13. Hey Hazel I just wanted to say it’s totally okay to take a break from blogging. I think you should focus on school and NaNoWriMo first and then when that’s ALMOST over, start getting back into your work and blogging slowly. I think the only way to get rid of your blogging/reading slump is to just embrace it. That’s what I’ve been doing for the past month and it worked! I’m on the book/blog mood again.

  14. That reading mug IS super cute. I used to have Boston terriers, so of course I’m obsessed.

    We all go through rhythms in life, even plants and animals do. So it makes sense that we have seasons when we feel like reading a ton, and times when we…. don’t feel like doing anything. I know when I have too much on my plate, I tend to feel like doing nothing, I think as a coping mechanism. Take the time you need!

  15. I definitely struggle, especially when it comes to blogging and sometimes even reading. But at the end of the day, if I’m having to force myself to post or read then it loses its fun, which is why I do both in the first place. Bottom line: when it comes to all the things I want to do, I can’t ever force something. And some days just have to be better than others! (:

  16. It’s definitely hard to be juggling multiple things at once! For instance, to be completely honest, my writing has fallen by the wayside a bit since I’ve focused more on blogging. It’s something I seek to remedy, and I’ve been toying with a few ideas (mostly related to how often I blog and what content I produce) to help me manage my time better. For me, since I like being in control, I prefer having a schedule I can refer to or a to do list that I can cross things off of. Definitely helps me manage time better (to a certain extent)!

    Hope that comment made sense! I’m multi-tasking and commenting while I’m at my office ;)

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