January 17, 2013

Keep Blogging Burnout at Bay

Ever wonder how *they* do it all? 
How *they* manage their schedule
in such a way that everything gets done? 

A little secret. 

 *They* don't. Something has to give. 
Somewhere.  Sometime.  It's inevitable. 
 We all make choices.  Often, one thing gives way to another.
That's not necessarily a bad thing.
But, it is something to be reckoned with.

 Do I read to my child or blog? 
Do I make dinner or order something in?  Do I work and then play? 
Do I go for a run or lay down for a rest?
 There is a time to play, a time to blog, a time to run (or walk), 
a time to rest, and perhaps, even a time to order dinner in. 

Yes, it's true! 

 But, we ought to seek the LORD as to what He would have us to do. 
We make our plans, but He orders our steps. 
 We seek to live our lives surrendered to Him. 
By His grace.  In His strength.  For His glory.

 With nearly three and a half years of blogging 
and over 500 posts behind me (dear me!) ~ 
I have a few suggestions on how to manage this blogging life.  
However, I have not arrived, and I am still tweaking
and revising my own list of *do's* and *don'ts* ~
I suppose it's the way it is and, the way it will always be.

Ready for some suggestions to 
keep blogging burnout at bay?


Here they are...in no particular order.  :) 


Set aside a specific time to blog and stick to it! 
(Just so you know, I am not perfect in this area...I'm a work in progress). 
Do not allow yourself to feel obligated to blog.
(This one I am much better at...in case you hadn't noticed...LOL)!  

Perhaps time off is in order.  Give yourself that time and let your 
online friends know that you will be away from the screen for awhile.  
Or, just go *off grid* and *reconnect* when you are back!  
In my experience, the blog does not fall apart in my absence,
and time away helps to redefine the goals I have for blogging in the first place.
I have found this practice to be very beneficial!

The challenge with an online life is that it's *live* 24/7.  
And, often we can feel its pull.  Resisting that pull is key to remaining in control of it.  
In the early days I posted frequently, and I visited other blogs frequently as well.  

It was a learning curve.  

Sometimes the school of hard knocks is necessary.  It's the way it often is.  
Now, I visit others when I can.  I blog when I can.  I leave the rest.  
True friends will understand.  They really will.  
And, isn't that what we all want?  True friends who understand?  

Yes, I think so.  

If we expect understanding, we must also give it.  
Sometimes we need space.  Our friends will too.  
What a blessing it is that we can pick up 
where we left off and resume a true friendship at any time. 

Oh, the joy of it!  

Grace extended and received is a beautiful thing. 
Thank you from the bottom of my heart for extending it to me. 
May the LORD help us all to find the balance in all things ~
yes, even in blogging...for HIS glory alone.

Would you like to share your ideas on this topic with all of us?

It would be lovely to read your thoughts on how
to keep blogging in its proper place ~
Please feel free to share in the comments of this post.  

Blessings to you all!  
With Love, Camille

**Photo in this post courtesy of Calvin ~

Thank you my love!  XO

18 comments:

Patty said...

Life does have a way of diverting our attention from one thing to another. I would love to get back to blogging on a more regular basis but sometimes I just lack the motivation. Thanks for sharing what works for you. I am encouraged to at least think about scheduling a time to blog regularly. It may take a bit of time to get there again! Have a great weekend, Camille.

Heather@Cultivated Lives said...

Again, I find myself so very encouraged by your words. For me, I've found it helpful to make written goals. I start with my long term goals: growing relationship with God, my marriage and my children. I'm constantly looking towards those three areas and seeing if anything else I'm doing is interfering with my primary focus. I never want my blogging 'ministry' to interfere with my primary ministry. Other than that, setting boundaries and regular breaks like you mentioned are also helpful.

And I'll take my own advice now and head off to bed. Hope you and your family are doing well, Camille!

Patrinas Pencil said...

"Now, I visit others when I can.
I blog when I can. I leave the rest.
True friends will understand. They really will. And, isn't that what we all want? True friends who understand? "

That about sums it up for me too. :) still blogging after 3 years... and no matter how much time goes by with out me updating or visiting others...I still enjoy when I find my way back. They're all friends to me. But I admit...some have become more than friends...and those are definitely the ones I cherish with a deep heart language.

Keep at it...one day at a time... no one's pressuring you for more.

Blessings
Patrina <")>><

You Can Call Me Jane said...

I, too, am a work in progress! I've learned a lot in the 5 years I've been blogging. I could write a book here! When it comes down to it, I have learned that when I treat my blog as optional in my life, I fair much better. Because that's what it is. While I really enjoy writing and connecting with others, I could be happy without it! It was coming to this realization a couple years ago that has helped me find balance. This allows me to put my time into other things I need even more- time to get my house in order, time to be there for my kids, time to exercise and have quiet time. When I make deliberate use of my time during the day, there is a little time left for blogging. If there comes a time when I have to give something up, I take one of those breaks you mentioned and (surprise, surprise!)the world doesn't end:-).

Jill said...

Gorgeous photo!!
This is wonderful and some wise words! You are right true friends will understand and it can be hard at times to "juggle' everything. It should remain enjoyable not a stress, so I have learned to do as much as I can when I can and when I can't to find peace with that. :-)
Have a wonderful weekend my friend!

Blessings,
Jill

American Home said...

It is always a blessing to read you words. I needed this encouragement. Have a wonderful day.

God Bless,
Donna

Unknown said...

I'm heading into my fourth year of blogging and I have learned much of what you wrote. I have learned to let go of the whole adding up game. How many comments did I get? Who is reading my posts?
I have gone back to just writing and journaling what is in my heart. It seems I have less and less time these days for blogging. And, you know, it's okay!
I'll write when I can and I'll read when I can, but I will not make it such a huge thing in my life.
That spot is reserved for Christ, alone!

Camille said...

Dear Patty ~ Feel no pressure my friend! It will all be here when you find the time to return...in whatever capacity fits your life!! What a blessing that we can make it fit us...and, remember...there are *seasons*...rest in HIS perfect plan! :)

Dear Heather in AZ ~ I'm so encouraged that you are encouraged!! Isn't it wonderful to know that we can pick up or leave this medium as it fits or doesn't fit our lives?? I am so blessed by friends like you who have been a *constant* in this world of blogging...thank you for your faithful friendship. :)

Dear Patrina ~ What lovely thoughts and encouraging words you shared here! It's a blessing to know that it can wait if need be, and it can occupy as much or as little of our lives as works. Thank you for taking the time to stop by and for your sweet encouragement today. :)

Dear Jane ~ It's a beautiful thing to come to that realization that we can be fine without it, isn't it?? I can relate to that comment completely...thank you for your continued friendship in this blogging world. And...thank you for adding to the discussion here...you bless me. :)

Dear Jill ~ Ah, yes...peace!! Isn't it a blessing to come to that place in our blogging experience?? How precious are the friends that can be made along the way...and...what an extra special thing it is when they understand the ups and downs of blogging and extend grace! Thank you for adding your thoughts here today. :)

Dear Donna ~ How encouraging to know that you were encouraged!! May the LORD bless you and your family my friend. :)

Dear Jenn ~ I have so appreciated your approach over the years my friend. You bless me with your attitude to the whole thing...the LORD has used you to be an encouragement to me along this journey. Yes, it is a wonderful thing to come to the place of not worrying about the numbers...I agree!! May the LORD help us always to have HIM as our first priority. :)

With Love,
Camille

Grandmabeckyl.blogspot said...

Thanks for this post, Camille. I almost gave up blogging awhile back. But I kept at it and realized that if people are reading it that's great. I still get alot of reads. I am not stressing lately about blogging as it's online and it's important in some ways. Another facet of life to share but I have lately been lax and I'm glad there aren't any set rules to timing of blog posts! Real life takes precedence. I have a list of things to get done this year that's not on the computer. So will stay with that idea and hope it all goes well. Hugs and hope you are all well and warm there. It's been near freezing all week and did see the sun yesterday for awhile. Yippee....no snow though. Oh well! God bless, my friend.

Stacie, A Firefighter's Wife said...

Camille, you have helped Jackie and I find balance in our blogging several years ago. I think I've been blogging for four or five years now. I don't think about it, worry about it and try to post every day. It enhances my life, but doesn't control it. It was not that way at the beginning. Watching you take breaks, how and when you comment have been crucial to us finding that balance. Thank you for being a Titus 2 woman to us in this area.

Camille said...

Dear Becky ~ Yes, life apart from the screen must take first place, and we must find that balance. What a blessing it is to have the LORD walk this path with us!! Isn't it s wonderful thing to come to the realisation that there are no hard and fast *rules* when it comes to blogging...liberating!! :)

Dear Stacie ~ You and Jackie have been two faithful friends through the thick and thin of this blogging life...thank you for extending grace to me!! How great our Wonderful LORD is...how patient and gracious!! Isn't it a great blessing to belong to HIM?? Thank you for your sweet encouragement...though, I don't deserve any praise...I have failed so often!! I appreciate your friendship. :)

With Love,
Camille

TRUTH SHARER said...

Camille~

You are a woman of wise words! I love this post! Great advice for all! I did many of the things that you mention here...Blogged my head off for almost 4 full years and met some of my very best friends in Blogland [you being one of them]!
When God called me to step away for a season [and I'm still stepped away most of the time] I connected with blogsisters via snail mail, texts and phone calls as well!

I love popping in now and again to catch up and learn what many are doing, suffering, experiencing, reading, following our JESUS.

If and when God calls me back to it - there will be purpose in it again!

I love coming here and love your sweet posts. I learned from you HOW TO PRAY!

Thanks for caring and loving and sharing your heart with us always!

Living in the fullness of JOY,
Stephanie
Psalm 126

Cheesemakin' Mamma said...

First of all, great photo, Calvin!

You've been such a great example to me in this area. I've been practicing many of your suggestions and it has been a good thing for me AND my family. I don't feel like a slave to the computer. Facebooking is harder for me, but I feel like I'm getting a handle on that, too (most days). Like you, I'm a work in progress, but I know I've improved. Thanks again for your example, Camille! What a great blogging topic.

Camille said...

Dear Stephanie ~ You are such an encourager...I am thankful that we met! Yes, it is a wonderful thing to be able to make true friends through this means...God is Good!! May you know HIS hand upon you as you go forward into the life HE has called you to. Thank you for your sweet words today! :)

Dear Jackie ~ You and Stacie both are a sweet encouragement to my heart. Thank you for being a faithful friend in this world of blogging!! Hang in there, my friend, and keep on following the LORD in all things! :)

With Love,
Camille

Terri said...

Thank you. Miss you, friend! :)

Lisa said...

Such a great topic, Camille. I LOVE this post! These things have been on my heart a lot lately too. Thanks for sharing your wisdom and insight :) So grateful I met you, and so grateful for all the things you continually inspire me to take a deeper look at!

Much love,
Lisa

R's Rue said...

What a great blessing to read this!
www.rsrue.blogspot.com

Camille said...

Dear Terri ~ I miss you, too! We must catch up soon!! XO

Dear Lisa ~ May the LORD use us always for HIS glory!! How precious He is!! Thank you for your sweet encouragement...I am thankful we met, too. :)

Welcome Regine ~ It's lovely to *meet* you! May the LORD bless your visits here. :)

Many Blessings,
Camille