Hi everyone, I hope you are having a great week! It's is cold and rainy
here in Australia at the moment - the perfect snuggling, reading weather but
unfortunately for me I have hit a reading and blogging slump (my comments are a
little lazy lately too sorry!).
So what I'm wondering is How do you personally get out of a blogging and
reading slump?
It’s a situation I think many of us have found
ourselves in at some point and I'm curious about what you
do when you hit a slump? read an old fave, take a break, start something
new?? When I first started blogging four plus years ago, the ideas
were flowing and I was eager to pick up my next book and then sit in front of the computer to draft my review but my motivation levels
these days are next to zilch BUT I love reading and blogging so don’t want to
give it up.
I have tried starting a few ARCs that I have received that I'm sure
would be amazing but I barely get past the first chapter, I'm also the sort of
reader who doesn't return to a book until a later time when someone I know has
read and loved the book I have previously put down. Do you believe I have only rated three books this year with a 5* rating! that's out of 64 books I have read :-0
I have been in slumps before but not like this. I can go days on end
without reading (this is coming from someone who took a stash of books on my
honeymoon and into the hospital when I had my children). I am really hoping it
is a short phase, I am just thankful that I have a number of posts scheduled so
that the blog doesn't look abandoned ;-)
It’s become apparent since talking to other
bloggers and readers that it’s a common occurrence. Some of us take a break
whilst others leave blogs or their book piles to stagnate, have you personally been through this? How did
you find your way out?
I’d love your thoughts on this topic or do you have a book that always gets you out
of a reading slump? For me, it’s usually the Fever series or The Sea of Tranquillity
but they haven’t fixed the problem this time around. I'd love a few YA/NA recommendations.
I overwhelmed myself with ARCs the first year I started blogging and when year two came along I started out the same way. Once reading became a chore, I went cold turkey on my blog and with the ARCs. I went back and re-read some of my favorite books, picked up some "just for me" titles, and accepted that I'll never be totally happy with blogging daily. I allowed myself to unplug for a couple of months (a year) and having that time set up in advance allowed me to enjoy the time I am on line.
ReplyDeleteI also stopped trying to control how many reading challenges I sign up for. I just accept that I'll try too many to complete and have fun with them.
I'm no longer trying to be perfect. I'm just a girl addicted to reading
Thank you :-) I need to read a few more titles for myself rather than focussing on getting through my review books, it's a bit of a chore at the moment (despite nearly being caught up) ;-)
DeleteI'm sorry to hear that you're going through a slump, Sharon. Usually, what I do is just go back and read old favorite books or just take a one week break to relax and come back feeling fresher. I also think "self read-athons" or buddy reads are helpful with slumps because then you're talking with your friends about the books and they can be a lot of fun.
ReplyDeleteI hope your slump doesn't last too long.
Thank you Nick! me too :-) I'm re-reading an old favourite series at the moment and not focussing so much on the review books and blog.
DeleteI think it's important to take a break sometimes and just read whatever you want!
ReplyDeleteThanks Jodie :-) I'm going on a short holiday soon and the kindle is staying home :-0 I think I'm needing that break so I can come back refreshed.
DeleteI go through periods where I feel pressured especially if I get into a reading slump or life takes over. I just pull back a little. One of the things that helps me is staying off the computer all day and only logging on for a few hours at night. I think breaks are important.
ReplyDeleteThanks Kimba! I agree :-) I'm on the computer constantly at work and the last thing I wan't to do when I get home is get on it again to write the reviews - I've just got to work on balance.
DeleteThis is such a great question! To get out of blogging slumps, I forge through on the reading and tweeting front. I'll take a hiatus or a long-ish break from blogging. Eventually I miss it and come back. Or inspiration strikes and I write up loads of blog posts. To overcome a reading slump I reread my favorite books! Then I figure out what type of book I'm in the mood for and go from there. :)
ReplyDeleteRachel @ A Perfection Called Books
This is me too Rachel! I go through phases, I just hope I'm back in the inspiration phase to get some posts written soon & I have just started to read an old fave series :-)
DeleteI've gone through a few blogging and reading slumps, but always come back. Sometimes reading an old favorite helps, but I usually take a break from both reading and blogging. That breather really helps, and I come back ready to go! Good luck!
ReplyDeleteI have a few scheduled posts for the next month so I'm planning to lie low and see if some motivation comes back.
DeleteThanks Alexia :-)
I would say don't force it. If you don't feel like blogging, then don't post. I don't post every day anymore, and when I do, I post later on in the day. Sometimes if I do feel like blogging, I'll post two mini reviews in a day.
ReplyDeleteAnd Richelle Mead and Rachel Gibson always pulls me out of a slump :)