When you’re an avid reader, a passionate blogger or a mix of both, it’s easy to get overwhelmed with the feelings that you want to do it all. It’s even easier to fall into the burn-out trap, thinking you’re handling it all well while reading and blogging fatigue are hanging over you, ready to crush you for a long, long time.
I’m way too familiar with the feeling of hanging on when I should let go. Let me tell you one thing: that’s not good, at all. Actually, it’s the best way to fall into a reading slump, a blogging slump, an everything-slump you’re having the hardest time getting out of.
Today, I compiled for you 10 tips I’m trying to use whenever I feel fatigue wrapping its arms over me, ready to crush me. Here’s to hoping these little reminders will help you take care of yourself and keep on having fun, always.
How to overcome reading and blogging fatigue
Read whatever you want, whenever you want
It’s funny: we all started reading and, for us book bloggers, blogging about books because we just love it. Once we get into it all, it’s SO easy to get overwhelmed, though.
To feel like you have to be reading. As soon as you get a bit of free time.
To feel like you have to read certain books, too, to be in the loop.
Let me tell you: this is the best way to burn out and fall into the worst reading slump ever.
Every now and then, I need to look at my books and tell myself that no, I don’t want to read today. I have to remind myself that I don’t have to read this or that book because it’s been here longer, because everyone is talking about it, because some external force is making me read it right now.
There’s no one standing in between your reading and you, only yourself. So just ignore the comments in your head telling you that you should be reading more or less, or this, or that book. Just do whatever you want.
Don’t challenge yourself too much
Confession time: I am not a fan of reading challenges, at all. I’m not judging anyone who is, though! Great for them. These kind of opportunities, whether it’s to read more, to cross certain books off your list or just to participate in something and feel part of the community, can be wonderful.
That being said, I also feel like too many challenges can get overwhelming and throw you into a state where all you feel is pressure. I know it’s not the case for everyone. Some people thrive with challenges like that and that’s fantastic for them!
I often feel like a black sheep in the bookish community, because I never participate in reading challenges. Hell, even just the Goodreads Challenge is enough to stress me out. If you are a little bit like me, it’s okay. It’s okay not to challenge yourself too much and to take it at your own pace.
It’s not because you’re not joining any reading challenges that you’re not a great reader.
Related blog post: Why I don’t Do the Goodreads Challenge
This works for blogging too! Don’t put too many expectations on yourself to blog three times a week, to blog-hop all the time, to write some kind of posts because you feel like you have to, because that’s what expected of you. Challenge yourself to do it your own way, for once.
Don’t take too much ARCs on
I mentioned this recently in my blog post about starting a book blog, but I feel like it’s SO important here, too. When it comes to reading and blogging fatigue, especially as a book blogger, ARCs are such a HUGE part of it.
Like so many things in life, there are two sides to that coin. While reading ARCs are an incredible opportunity, they can be overwhelming. Too many books to read all at once might get stressful and, with release dates soon approaching, it’s easy to feel like you’re under so many deadlines you’re drowning.
I don’t let myself drown anymore, because I think way too much before sending any email request. I’m reading a book’s synopsis until my eyes get blurry, just to make sure how badly I want it. Just to be absolutely certain that having it on my TBR, on top of everything else, will only bring me giddy joy and not stress.
Also, let’s face it: no one is paying me to read and review ARCs. I wish I could be one of these books bloggers getting paid to do what they love. I mean. Professional reviewers in magazines and online are getting their dime. I have an audience and followers. Why don’t I? That’s a whole other question and I’m going off tangent here. Sorry.
My point is. This is not my job. While there are expectations from publishers when you’re approved for an ARC, yes, expectations that you should respect, I’m not going to give myself extra pressure for it. If I get the incredible opportunity to be approved, I’m not going to blow it, of course I will do the work to read, review and promote the book. But I’m not going to stress myself out for it more than necessary.
Related blog post: 5 Things You Need to Know Before Starting A Book Blog
Allow yourself to change your reading pace
With people reading 100 books in 4 months and me reading, like, 15, there’s this feeling of not feeling adequate enough. Like I should be reading more.
Like I could read more, too.
Even when you love reading, you might not spend your entire life with the same feelings about it. Hell, my reading pace changed over the course of my life. While I’ve always been reading, the rhythm at which I devoured books has changed in so many years. I read books in my crib (true story), read a little less as a teenager, read more as a young adult and EVEN MORE as a young book blogger. Now, my pace has been slower with my life being different.
Reading fatigue can definitely be born from the fact that you’re expecting yourself to read at the same pace every single time. When your rhythm slows, you’re mad about it.
You know what? It’s okay not to read, too. It doesn’t make you any less of a bookish person, or a passionate reader at all. You’re allowed to read less, more, to take a break. Your passion isn’t defined by the number of books you devour, but by the happiness you get when you can and want to read.
Remember to read for fun!
Reading doesn’t have to be something you need to cross off your list every day. Sometimes, I feel like that. Because book blogging is such a huge part of my life, I feel like I should read more.
The day I haven’t read, I failed.
It’s not a failure if you’re doing something else.
Reading always have to be something fun that you’re looking forward to.
Get off social media
Oh, social media. I have a love-hate relationship with it. On the one hand, I find it fascinating. I love how easy it is to connect with people and oh, the endless possibilities, the creativity of people on bookstagram, the conversations and friendships growing on there.
On the other hand, I despise it with all my heart. I know people only put out their best selves on social media and we can’t know anything about someone from a post there. Still. Social media is, for me, one of the worst things when you’re an anxious mess and tend to compare yourself to others, too.
You see people reading lots and talking about it, while you’re stuck in that slump. You see people sharing their blog posts with hundreds of retweets, while you can’t even get one. Followers are growing while you’re stuck. You’re terrified to type out one single tweet or post on instagram because you feel inadequate.
Once again, this is my personal experience. Some people thrive and love being on social media. Good for them. Me? It makes me feel anxious and overwhelmed and like I want to quit blogging some days.
Taking a little break from social media, whether it’s for a day, a week or just a couple hours, allows yourself to focus on you. What you want to do, what you like to do.
Without social media, I feel like I can focus on what I want to do on my blog without hearing that little voice telling me: you’re writing this post for N O T H I N G. No one cares.
Without social media, I feel like I can read without seeing people participating in challenges, claiming they read 100 books while I only read 10. It’s good, because I feel like I’m in my own bubble for a while and don’t have anyone to compare with.
Try to switch things up
One of the most efficient things, for me, to get read of that reading and blogging fatigue, is to switch things up.
With reading, you can change things up by:
- Picking up a book a little bit out of your comfort zone that you’ve been eyeing for so long,
- Change formats! Try audiobooks, switch between physical and digital copies.
- Change your reading place! Try reading in the garden, find a new reading nook in your home.
- Pick up an old book! If you’ve been focused on new releases, try a backlist one. Hell, even try re-reading an old favorite for once.
With blogging, change can mean so many things. Here are some ideas of things to change in your blog to find motivation again:
- Change your schedule! Post more, post less, on different days…
- Change what you write about: try writing about unusual topics on your blog that you feel strongly about.
- Write differently: give your blog posts layout a fresh new look, try writing your blog posts or reviews differently…
- Go down memory lane: re-read old blog posts. You might find some nostalgia and some inspiration there! (No. Don’t throw your blog in the trash when doing that. Appreciate your growth instead!)
- Think about your blog’s identity. Maybe you need a fresh start? A new design, a new branding, a brand new blog, a new theme, more freedom to create a blog that’s entirely yours with self-hosting…
If you’re looking for some great blogging tips, to self-host your blog, find a great theme and more, check them all out in my blogging resources page!
Stop chasing success, chase happiness instead
It’s SO easy to get obsessed with statistics. Whether you’re reading or blogging or doing both, it’s so easy to only look at numbers. How many books you’ve read. How many visitors you got on your website.
Numbers might make you feel things. Happiness at having reached a new goal. Giddiness at seeing people visiting your blog, enjoying your work. Obviously, seeing that, you want to please people and give them what they want. Or maybe that’s just me. I’m a people’s pleaser.
While I think it’s great to pay attention to what your audience wants and likes, what they react strongly to, as well… I think it’s more important to write something you love. If the two perfectly line up, it’s THE BEST. If they don’t really… always go with love. Always write with passion. Life’s too short to bother writing blog posts that bore the hell out of you, okay?
Related blog post: How to write a blog post people will read
Confession time: my latest blog posts kind of flopped. I hate it so much that this doesn’t make me feel like a successful book blogger.
Honestly, though, I know this is out of my control. I can’t explain what happened here. People haven’t seen them, people have been reading my blog less. I don’t know, but all I can do is my best and hope this is just temporary.
I just keep on writing what I want to write and what makes me happy. That’s how I stay motivated and excited to blog.
Reach out to other members of the community
One of the best things about being part of a bookish community is that people are there for you. I’m amazed by the friends I’ve made ever since I started my book blog 6 years ago, forever grateful to know I can reach out to them for everything and they will be there.
Whether you’re new or, like me, a little bit of a dinosaur, don’t be afraid to ask others for help. Inspiration when you’re stuck (hey, I actually asked if people wanted to read anything from me on instagram a while ago. This blog post is born from this!). Help for books to get you out of your slump. Just scream with them about your fatigue to help you get over it.
You’ll find all the support you need here.
Related blog post: My top 5 tips to interact with the book blogging community
Take a break from everything
When everything else fails, don’t ever be afraid of taking a break.
I know. It’s scary to step away and wonder if you’re ever going to be back. To stop reading and think: what if I never want to pick up a book again? To stop blogging and wonder: what if I never come back?
If you love it, you’ll be back. Whether it’s in a day, a week or a year, it doesn’t matter. Every book, your little blog, your closest friends… they will be there waiting for you.
You, no matter what, should always come first.
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What do you do when you feel tired of reading and/or blogging? Any tips to share to get over it?
New and old bloggers: is there any advice you’d like to hear from me, any topic you’d like me to cover? Feel free to let me know!
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I love this! It’s so helpful, and incredibly sweet of you! <3
Ahh thank you so much, I’m so happy you enjoyed it! <3 <3
I love this post!!! Since I’ve started a blog again I’ve tried to post only things that really appealed to me (that’s why I barely do any bookish memes, as they tend to stress me out after a while) and it helps a lot! I’m better at *not* reading all the time, too, because I’m just going out of a 2-years-long reading slump and I never want to burn out again (I mean, that can happen still, of course, but I’m trying to avoid it).
Oh thank you so, so much Alienor 🥺🥺 I’m so happy you’re enjoying yourself like that, it’s really the most important thing ever! Slumps and burn out can be so quick to arrive, it’s so important to take care of ourselves first and always <3
Great tips, I’m going to bookmark this post and bring it out again when I feel stressed.
Oh thank you SO much, this means a lot! <3
Not too many ARCs would’ve been a great tip in my first year! I’ve now been sending e-mails out, that I, sadly, have to disappoint some authors and can’t read their book. It feels better than keep reading books I don’t want to whole-heartedly read.
I also sometimes take my blogging slump head on by just pushing through. Sometimes I’m tired and don’t feel like it, but in the end, if I did write a post that day, it feels good! I’ve actually never taken a break, but I do have vacations where I don’t even touch social media, let alone my blog, so I have little breaks every year 🙂
I love this post! Thanks for the tips.
I get that! It’s hard to say no sometimes, but it’s important to remind ourselves that, sometimes, we have to for our own sake 🙂
That’s actually a good strategy. Sometimes pushing through can be a solution, but we have to know when to stop and give ourselves a break, too 🙂
Thank you so much! <3
I feel very seen… but I really enjoyed reading this! 💕
When you talked about reading fatigue and reading pace, oh man I felt that! I’m very guilty of trying to read at the same pace every day, which is a dumb ideology to have, especially when each book you read will have a different pace. I have to remind myself that all the time; like I don’t know what is wrong with me. I also agree with you, I don’t like reading challenges because I always find it so hard to find a book to fit a prompt and I find it stressful to try and do that, it takes away reading what I want to read.
Again, great post! 😊
Exactly! Each book will have a different pace and sometimes, there are books you’ll want to read quicker than others, too. That’s okay! I always need to learn that again and again, but when I read when I genuinely want to, not because it’s supposed to fit into my routine, I feel so much better. <3
Thank you so, so much Meghan! And I'm always here if you ever need to rant or talk about it all. Take care of yourself <3
Yes!!! There are some books that I want to take my time with because I don’t want them to end! I hate the that sometimes I feel like I need to read so fast and so much to boast about alllll the books I’m reading. I gotta remember it’s not a competition!
Thank you so much, Marie 🥰
Exactly! Sometimes I feel like “I need to read faster so I can read more books this month”, but… well, what if I don’t want to? I need to try to remember that it’s not a competition at all! 🙂
I agree, I don’t know why it’s so hard to just let go. Maybe one day I’ll be able to do what I want, you know?
Hopefully someday we will! <3 I'm sending you all the love <3
❤️❤️
Amazing post as always, Marie! I am feeling a pretty serious case of blogging fatigue, tbh. Like I can do the bare minimum to keep it afloat for the most part, but after that I am just drained. I kind of knew this would happen after The 100 ended (I straight up LIVED for doing those posts, if I am being honest), but ugh. I have tried to just be kind to myself, but it’s hard- like you said, it makes us feel inadequate when we feel like we aren’t doing enough!
I am still able to read at a fairly good (for me, at least, none of this 100 books stuff hah) rate, but I think it’s because I have etched that time out in my day and don’t ever let myself (or even feel like) skipping it. So that is a plus! But I tried to type up a discussion post the other week and I was just… empty. The words would not come. That is super unusual for me too- usually it’s the idea that takes forever, and then when I finally think up something, I can word pretty well. Not this time! So I just left in on the back burner for the moment.
Also, the thing you said about people only presenting their best selves on social media is SO true. Especially sites like instagram and FB, where you KNOW they’re making it look perfect (hell, that is the point of insta, yeah?), on Twitter I can at least usually find someone being self-deprecating 😂 But the thing is, we have to try to take it all with a grain of salt, because it IS hard to not compare ourselves to others!
Oh Shannon, I am so, so sorry you’ve been feeling that way! And I can understand that, when something you really loved is over, it’s hard to find something else to be as excited about. I hope you will though! <3
Ah that's amazing! I'm glad your reading hasn't changed, that's a good thing. Sometimes you need to take more time for your ideas to properly develop. I know it's that way for me, some ideas just take me months because I just don't have the words and... suddenly, I do 😂
Thank you so, so much for sharing your thoughts! <3 <3
These are all really useful tips!!
I recently got out of a reading and blogging slump and for me the best thing to do was to take a break.
I also need to remind myself that I should write what I feel passionate about, and not care if that post is going to be successful or not. It’s hard but I’m trying!
Oh thank you so much Morgan! I’m glad that the break was helpful to you and I agree. Sometimes it’s hard to think about whether or not something will be successful and… we just want to write knowing it will be. But sometimes doing that just kills our blogging motivation altogether and that’s not good at all!
Great tips and love this post. For me what works best is have some kind of fixed time that I’m going to give to blog, book, and social media. There is no schedule, it’s really impossible with 2 yr old but fixing a time like an hr or two works best. And I usually don’t post in weekends, same goes for all social media.
Oh thank you so much! <3 I'm really glad to hear you can find a little bit of time here and there and that it works out well for you! <3
Ahh I love this post, this was incredibly helpful! Thanks for sharing this😊
Oh thank you so much, I’m so happy this could be helpful to you! <3
I’ve just started recovering from massive burnout so this really resonated with me! I made the mistake with ARCs, such a stress with so many books at once! I didn’t think all my requests would be accepted and then they were. I’m trying to stop pressuring myself with my blog and follow your advice, write about what I want to and when I want to!
Oh I’m really glad this post could be helpful to you! <3 I get that, it's SO easy to get a little bit...enthusiastic with request and then, we regret everything ahah :)
I think there’s a fear that taking a break will mean taking a leave of absence for an indefinite period (and it has, for me anyway), but you’re so right that when it comes down to it, you have to give yourself permission to be flexible in what/when/how much you read. And that includes DNFing a book! Or reading several books at once and bouncing around them depending on how you feel.
Great tips!
Exactly. Taking a break is so scary because it feels like… what if I never come back? But sometimes it’s necessary and I truly believe that, if you love it and are, in a way, meant to do it, you’ll be back to it. It’s important to be flexible and kind with ourselves and our own expectations, too <3
Thank you so much for your comment <3
This is such a great post, Marie, I loved your tips! ❤ I was feeling a bit burnt out at the end of April and it really helped to take some pressure off! I also think it’s so important to allow yourself to change your reading pace. This happened to me when I started my Master degree last October and now my pace is dependent on how busy I am, but not stressing about it really helps! 😊
Oh thank you so much Caro! I’m really happy you’re feeling a little bit less burned out lately. It’s always important to remind yourself to take it easy! <3 <3
Ah I adore this post Marie! I’ve noticed in the past that I always start to feel a bit burned out from blogging when I start to not connect with the look of my blog. It’s not always the main cause but to me the way my blog looks affects my motivation to write, promote and share my own work. If I don’t like the way it looks I’m more inclined to sweep it under a rug then shout about it on twitter. It’s why changing up my formatting to what I use at the moment (well in my more recent posts) helped a lot, I now love how the posts written content look. I just have to work on the graphics now but that will take a while since I’m in no rush.
Rereading old posts is a good one, sometimes it inspires me to do some reformatting and touching up of old posts other times it gives me ideas for new posts. Also it’s just nice to reread old posts, old comments and feel that love all over again particularly if you’re on a low point and wanting to trash the entire blog.
Reading is…such a struggle for me. I accepted almost immediately that I would always be out of the loop somewhat when it comes to reading. I just take months (years more like) to read books that the community are shrieking about. At first it did bother me a bit because I couldn’t join in with the shrieking. However now it’s a blessing because I can consider which books I truly want to read based off of what others have said, what my friends have said and I get to go at my own pace. I will always be in awe of everyone who reads and reviews ARCs cause I couldn’t handle that pressure or stress…I’d be a puddle on the floor somewhere haha.
Taking a total break like you mentioned though, can sometimes be what we need. If we’re constantly living and breathing books, the blogging community it’s easy to just…feel like it’s a chore. The joy seeps out and we start to hate the things we used to enjoy. I tend to watch a lot of YouTube videos these days over reading because I just don’t have the energy to sit and read at the moment. I’ve also been watching anime (I am terrible though if I get hooked on an anime then I end up binging it, the same with dramas xD) oh and playing a game. It’s actually been really nice to just play my game (it’s Genshin Impact, so its a role play/adventure/explore game) and I just enjoy being able to play a game.
As you know probably I’ve been on a blog hiatus since the start of the year and whilst I’ve missed connecting with people in the comments. It’s given me the space to just…truly breathe and find myself without stressing about blog content. It’s given me time to reflect on what I want to post, what I want to change eventually and whilst I still get post ideas now and then I get to just keep them as notes now. For when I do come back, there’s really no rush.
Like you said “If you love it, you’ll be back. Whether it’s in a day, a week or a year, it doesn’t matter. Every book, your little blog, your closest friends… they will be there waiting for you.”
It’s scary not knowing when exactly I will return properly but I’m also making peace with it. I want to create content that I love, that hopefully others will enjoy and in order to do that sometimes taking a total step back is needed. Ooops…I rambled in your comments again 😅 Anyway reminder that you’re amazing and I adore your posts 💜
Ahh thank you so much for your sweet comment, you’re honestly the BEST. 🥺
I completely understandd the new look thing. Sometimes, just trying new things out with graphics or layouts can really make you feel inspired all over again!
On reading, I completely agree with you. It’s sometimes great to take your time with it, to just… think before getting a book everyone’s screaming about, just to be certain you really want to read it!
While I really, really hope you’ll come back, I’m also happy to see that you’re taking your time with it, too. I think the most important thing is not to force yourself and to take things at your own pace. You’ll be back when the time is right, I’m sure of it! <3
This is such a brilliant post and based off my own experiences, a lot of the tips have worked wonders for me. I’ve never been one to do a reading challenge just because I always feel the pressure to complete it and force myself to read the books, which just kills any reading motivation I had. I’m guilty for getting caught up in stats and having that continuous presence on the blogosphere, but this last month I’ve felt less guilty about taking that step back and posting quality content that I’m proud of, even if it means less engagement. Like you said, it’s out of our hands, even if those feelings of doubt tell us otherwise. Thank you so much for these tips.
Oh thank you so much Lois! <3 I'm really happy that you've been proud of your content, lately. That's what matters the most! I often get sad and overwhelmed about blogging altogether, but it's when I'm really taking time to focus on doing what I love and am proud of that I feel the happiest :)
Thank you so much! <3
Reading what we were expected to read put us into a slump. We put too much pressure on ourselves to read this and that; it stopped being fun. The thing I most love about bookstagram is the book photos, but then exists the obligation to have read those books. I’ve realized collecting books and reading books are two different hobbies. XD
Yes! That’s exactly it, we’re reading what we’re expected of, instead of reading what we really want to. And… well, nothing wrong with collecting books! I just read today that books themselves can’t actually make you feel guilty if you don’t read them immediately. It’s just you doing that. and.. this made me feel better hahaha. <3
So much common sense here. Sometimes we do lose the sense of perspective and get worked up about things that don’t really matter that much – like feeling you’re the only one who hasnt read the latest hyped novel.
I do like reading events but have to be careful not to overcommit to them, because then I end up feeling I am just reading to a plan instead of reading what I feel like
Exactly! It’s easy to lose any sense of perspective and just… get so burned out. It’s important to remind ourselves that this is fun and we should do whatever we want, at our own pace 🙂
Thank you so much for your comment!
This is all such great advice! One thing that resonated with me was the challenges. I used to do a ton of them, but then I realized I was just stressing myself out and letting myself down. This year has been tough for me for both reading and blogging, but I hope it improves!
Oh no! I’m so sorry to hear it’s been tough lately, Nicole, and I hope it will improve <3 <3
this is such a wonderful post, Marie, and thank you so much for writing it!! 💕 i don’t participate in reading challenges (or readathons, for that matter) either bc i feel like it puts too much pressure on me to read :’) i’m also very much a mood reader so the way i read is very unstructured and chaotic haha. and i’ve been averaging 4-5 books a month this year, which is honestly a great pace for me, and it’s totally okay to not read like 100 books in 3 months, ur definitely not alone :)) lovely post as always!
This makes me feel so much better 🥺 I’m the same way, reading 4 books a month lately is a great pace, so… I should remember that and stop comparing my pace to others. Thank you!! <3
Great post, Marie! I love all of these tips so much. They definitely help me out since I’ve been kind of feeling blogging fatigue a lot lately. I definitely agree with the ARC point, because when I have so many ARCs I need to read, I feel like it puts me in such a stressed mood where I don’t want to read at all. So this year I stopped requesting ARCs minus a couple here and there. I definitely plan to save this post of yours to reference back to throughout the year. <3
Thank you, Ashley! <3 I'm so happy this could be helfpul. I always need these little reminders! <3
HI IT’S ME I LIVE IN THE BURNOUT TRAP
Thank you so much for this post – I agree with your tips here, especially in regards to reading challenges! I can’t even set TBRs because as soon as I create any kind of “obligation” it’s the last thing I want to do and it starts to give me anxiety.
AH NO! I’m so sorry to hear that, I’m always here you need to talk about it! <3
I'm the same way! I know there are books I should read at a certain time, but... I try not to put any pressure on myself anymore. Otherwise, I just end up hating it all ahah.
What I love about this post is that not only are you providing helpful tips to prevent reading and blogging fatigue, you’re also providing methods of increasing enjoyment while reading and blogging. So many of these things now seem obvious to me, like only requesting books I really want so that I don’t feel pressured to read ARCs, or only participating in challenges that don’t make me stressed, but in reality, it took me a good few years to recognize how to form healthy habits in relation to reading and blogging! So I’m so very glad that this post is out there to help readers and bloggers find ways to create healthy habits when it comes to the hobbies they love!
Oh thank you so, so much Malka! I’m so glad you enjoyed this post and found it helpful, too. It means the world! <3