Reading (and blogging) burnout is one topic on which I feel like I can write a really long essay on (though I’m not going to do that, so don’t worry!). And I am sure most book bloggers can too.
Now I know that technically anyone who reads a lot is in danger of burnout, but if you also blog about your reading life, then it’s sort of like a double whammy. It’s easier to get overwhelmed and reach your breaking point faster. Mostly because of all the perceived external pressure and expectation.
That being said, it’s totally possible to prevent a burnout. All that is required is a good system in place, and the willingness to proactively work on it. Because if you choose to ignore it, then you will find yourself in the dreaded land of reading (or blogging) slump, more often than you like.
How do I know this? Well, mostly because, while I am (thankfully) not a permanent resident of the dreaded land, I do hold a multiple entry visa, and have (unfortunately) visited the said land many many times!
Understanding triggers and cause-effect relationships (This sounds so intellectual, LOL! π )
In this post, I am talking about reading & blogging burnout together, because for me they are inter-connected (if you don’t blog, then scroll down below, to my top 2 tips for preventing reading burnout).
But coming back to what I was saying, I am clubbing these two things together as for me a reading burnout/slump almost always leads to a blogging burnout/slump, because while I post about other things too, a majority of my posts revolve around books.
Having said that, the reverse is not true. For one, I have never faced blogging burnout/slump when my reading life has been all rainbows and butterflies. But even if for some reason, I have not felt up to blogging, I have used the time to spend in my reading cave, which eventually makes me want to blog, because I typically have a lot to say about the book (s), and unless I want to risk (unwelcome) information overload on the non-reader I have for a spouse, there is no outlet for my endless bookish babble.
How I prevent/handle a burnout?
So like I mentioned above, for me, blogging burnout is a non-issue, so long as all is well with my reading life. So essentially, I just have to take care of one, and the other takes care of itself.
There are several things that I do to prevent/handle a reading burnout, but these are the two things thatΒ I have found to be most helpful –
My Top 2 Tips to Prevent Reading Burnout
Alternating genres – I almost never pick up the same genre back to back; in fact I try to pick up something as different from the preceding one as possible. For instance – after a high-fantasy series, I pick a standalone contemporary; after an especially dense classic, I pick some fluff that enables mindless reading. I know this might not help or work for everybody, but it keeps things fresh and interesting for me.
Following fellow book bloggers – This is a no-fail thing for me. If I find myself in a slump due to burnout, reading fellow book bloggersβ posts/social media updates almost always manages to suck me right back into the reading world. Their enthusiasm is infectious, I tell you!
Having said what I have said, if all fails, and I find myself in a reading slump, I donβt force myself to read. This is where Netflix binges come to my rescue, and soon enough (in a week or two – sometimes more, depending on what I find on Netflix ), I find myself missing reading enough to want to get back to it.
That is all from me. I would love to hear from you guys! Have you experienced reading/blogging burnout/slumps? What helps you overcome them? Do share. I would love to know!
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upasna
Not a Book Blogger but yes, there are times when I feel like writing but words stuck. A short walk or a day out helps.
Nice post. We as Bloggers experience this many times.
upasna recently posted…Are you fooling yourself when you say I have no time?
Vishal Kataria
Loved it, Shanaya. Completely agree with you when you say that blogger’s block (if such a term exists) doesn’t exist if we keep reading. The important point, though, is to keep reading good stuff. Something mediocre which fails to stimulate us intellectually can be really harmful.
A way I’m trying to avoid blogging burnout is to make hay while the sun shines. I write as many posts as possible while I’m on a reading rampage. Helps the posts come out fresher and gives me a repository for those dark days when I don’t feel like reading or writing.
Shanaya Tales
Yeah, I try to do that too – when I am in the mood, I embark on a reading/writing marathon – those posts always come out better. π
Shanaya Tales recently posted…Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen | Reviewing Classic Literature
Kala Ravi
Hmm interesting read Shantala! Switching between multiple genres definitely helps! I am sure this will be a pretty useful post for fellow book-bloggers. All the same, anything you say, makes for an interesting read π
Kala Ravi recently posted…The Jagjit Singh Music Festival – 8th Feb 2016
Shanaya Tales
You are too kind, Kala. I cannot be more grateful for knowing you. Thank you for being there – always. π
Shanaya Tales recently posted…Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen | Reviewing Classic Literature
Beat About the Book
I don’t often get reading burnout but I do get stuck. If I pick a book that I don’t quite like I find it hard to let it go and move on, I don’t pick another book till I finish this one and this one I won’t want to finish so I’m stuck. And sometimes that can lead to no reading for months. No blogging phases happen when life takes over. When I have too many things on my mind I end up not blogging at all.
Beat About the Book recently posted…7 reasons to re-read books
Shanaya Tales
Yes, I used to go through that a lot, but these days, I am better at putting books down – I mean I put one book down in the last 3 years- that counts – right?
Shanaya Tales recently posted…Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen | Reviewing Classic Literature
Priscilla
Ha! “Multiple entry visa”–I knew that I knew you from somewhere! We must have been in line together going to or from Slumpland. π Lovely to finally meet you during BBAW!
Netflix helps me, too. When I can’t get into reading, I try to pick a show with a great narrative that pulls me in, and the next thing I know I’m drawn to something on the shelf. And failing that, there’s always The Gilmore Girls, which just makes me happy.
Priscilla recently posted…BBAW Day 5: Keeping It Real, Keeping It Going
Shanaya Tales
LOL – yes! π And as unbelievable as this might sound, I haven’t seen Gilmore Girls at all – just missed that train, I guess. :/ But I have heard so much about it – especially since the revival, that I can’t wait to check it out. Actually, I am heading over to Netflix right now!
Shanaya Tales recently posted…Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen | Reviewing Classic Literature
Honey Bee
I was in a reading slump for almost 3 months and I did not force myself to read. And Yes, Netflix rules during my slump times. Shantala, we are so alike.. I always keep alternating between genres. By doing that I’ll be handling better at book hangovers. Nice post!!
Honey Bee recently posted…(Book Review): Into the Darkest Corner by Elizabeth Haynes
Shanaya Tales
Thank you! So glad you liked this post! We are alike indeed! π
Shanaya Tales recently posted…Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen | Reviewing Classic Literature
Lindsey
Yes! I purposefully pick up books that are really different from each other. It does help with that feeling of “Oh my gosh, I have read 200 stories about a pirate girl who meets an alien boy and they travel through time together.” Actually that sounds pretty interesting….
Lindsey recently posted…Review: Sounds Like Me
Shanaya Tales
Hahahahaha..yeah it does! Nonetheless, two hundred is too many! π
Shanaya Tales recently posted…Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen | Reviewing Classic Literature
Literary Feline
That is so true, about the two being interconnected. And your points to avoid burn out are spot on. I am fortunate that I enjoy reading a variety of books and so mixing up genres comes naturally. And I’m a little too attached to Netflix maybe.
I am so glad I decided to take part in BBAW this week, even if only partially. It’s been fun and I’ve enjoyed meeting new-to-me bloggers and reconnecting with old ones. I hope you have a great weekend!
Shanaya Tales
True – Netflix is very addictive! I can get lost there for months together! π
Thank you for stopping by. Glad to come across you through BBAW! π
Shanaya Tales recently posted…Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen | Reviewing Classic Literature
Shannon @ River City Reading
Totally agree that reading and blogging slumps are connected! I try my best to have just random “bookish” post ideas just drafted for emergencies, but if the book slump is long it can definitely get dicey. It’s good to just go with the punches, though!
Shanaya Tales
True, and sometimes a complete break (for a short period) can help too, so not always a bad thing. π
Shanaya Tales recently posted…Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen | Reviewing Classic Literature
Deepika Ramesh
‘Stalking’ bloggers has always been the panacea. π
Deepika Ramesh recently posted…Book Blogger Appreciation Week: Day 5
Shanaya Tales
Always – No fail method! π
Shanaya Tales recently posted…Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen | Reviewing Classic Literature
Hema
The struggle is real, you said it, Shantala! I’ve always been someone who reads multiple books in parallel. Choosing what to read is like a balancing act. If one book is a heavyweight, the other(s) have to be light reads. I tend to experience burn out if I read the same genre (most of the time it’s history).
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Shanaya Tales
Yeah, that used to happen a lot with me, but now I diversify and alternate as much as possible, unless I am really in the mood for more of the same (which is rare). π
Shanaya Tales recently posted…Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen | Reviewing Classic Literature
Katie @ Words for Worms
There is something extremely therapeutic about binge watching TV! Sometimes you just need to zone, you know? (Especially if you’re zoning with the Gilmore Girls.)
Shanaya Tales
Hehehe…yes – totally! π
Shanaya Tales recently posted…Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen | Reviewing Classic Literature
Jenny @ Reading the End
Alternating genres is always a good idea! I do that a ton — I’ll go through a period where I’m reading nothing but YA fantasy novels, and one day I’ll look up and realize I never want to read another one of those ever again. (That never lasts, of course! I always just need a breather!)
Shanaya Tales
Hehehe..yeah. I have sworn off genres like that – only to come back to them in a few weeks. π
Shanaya Tales recently posted…Preventing Reading/Blogging Burnout
Seeya
Much needed read for me. I have started alternating genre otherwise I feel slumped reading same genre. If I find a book is a light read, I pick up another one and read simultaneously. Keeps me occupied and mind receives variety food.
Good post Shanaya!! I should read this whenever I feel I’m exhausted reading books.
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Shanaya Tales
Thank you. Glad it helped you. π
Shanaya Tales recently posted…Preventing Reading/Blogging Burnout