We refer to blogging burnout as ‘blogxiety. Blogxiety is a form of burnout and stress experienced by bloggers that is caused by difficulties beyond creating content. 68% of travel bloggers experience symptoms of burnout and 33% have considered quitting blogging altogether. Terrifying numbers, aren’t they?
We thought so too! So, we created a checklist in collaboration with burnout coach Flic Taylor. Discover effective strategies to conquer blogxiety, prevent burnout, and maintain a fulfilling blogging experience with these helpful tips from it.
Flic Taylor is a mental health writer, podcaster, and burnout coach. As a media personality, Flic understands more than anyone what blogger burnout is and how to combat it.
Realizing That You Have Burnout: 4 Key Warning Signs
1. You Lack the Joy and Energy for Content Creation
You were once an eager explorer, but now you’re frustrated by tourism and the once-enchanting quirks of your local region. Your zest and humor have faded, leaving you with no joy, no hope, no content.
2. You Feel Tired and Irritable All the Time
You’re working non-stop, always saying yes and comparing yourself to other bloggers. An inner critic accompanies your content creation, leaving you exhausted, irritable, and distracted.
3. Your Blogxiety Is Beginning to Manifest Physically
Your physical health demands some rest and space, especially if you’re experiencing any of these symptoms:
- Chest pains
- Palpitations
- Shortness of breath
- Gastrointestinal pain
- Headaches
- Shoulder and jaw pain
- Changes in appetite
- Sleep problems
- Brain fog
- Cynicism
- Lethargy
- Apathy
- Feelings of anxiety and depression
4. You Lack the Joy and Energy for Content Creation
The old you disappears, leaving only a shell. As a result, you struggle to determine what you like, love, or want anymore.
If you’re experiencing any of these symptoms, it’s a sign that you need to address your health right away. Blogxiety creeps up quickly and unnoticed.
Start Fighting Blogxiety With Simple Methods: 5 General Tips
1. Realize That You’re Not Alone and Open Up to the Community
Discover a suitable travel blogger community, be it an Instagram pod or a Facebook group, and share your blogging issues. You’ll receive advice from those who’ve been in your shoes. It’s also a chance to speak out and feel lighter.
2. Recall Why You Started
Jot down why you began travel blogging: what goals and feelings you wanted to achieve. Then, ponder if blogging giving you what you hoped for.
3. Find a New Source of Inspiration
Explore other blogs for content ideas and inspiration, as well as to find new goals and motivation.
❌ Instead of comparing yourself to these bloggers, let them inspire you! Keep in mind, if they could do it, so can you!
In a webinar on blogxiety, Shelley Marmor focused on not comparing yourself to others. And gave tips on how to stop doing this.
4. Take a Break
Take a break right now. Maybe you need to take a break in the middle of the day for a nap or a nutritious meal? Perhaps you need to walk in fresh air or embrace some playful movement?
Listening to what nourishment your body is calling for on any given day will go a long way toward boosting productivity levels.
5. Reflex Softly
Write all your successes from the last week. It’s advisable to record all your successes every day. Even the smallest victories are worth your attention!
Solidify Your Progress in Overcoming Blogxiety: 5 Tips for Planning Ahead
1. Plan Ahead With Realistic Expectations
It’s easy to overschedule your day, so striving for achievable goals can help you avoid dancing with any overwhelm.
Aim to get ahead by planning your trips and content. Be vigilant of any overcommitment to plans and posting frequency that may cause stress. Prioritize creating high-quality content over churning out posts because your audience will always appreciate the well-researched and engaging publications that shine with your magic.
2. Admin Days for the Win
Allocate specific times for checking your email and social media messages. And avoid constantly being digitally connected to reduce your risk of stress and burnout.
Having set ‘admin days’ in the week is a great way to manage your time. It prevents your focus from drifting from content creation toward those distracting, non-urgent email pings and phone notifications that tend to taunt and tease you throughout the day.
3. Learn to Say “No” and Set Boundaries
Saying “yes” without thinking can impact your time and get in the way of pursuing your own goals.
Boundaries protect your peace and energy and ensure you do not feel taken advantage of. A lack of boundaries will always have a detrimental effect not only on your health and the way you think but also on your work performance and relationships. Sometimes, saying “no” will feel so right!
4. Shape the Way You Work
Instead of writing and editing a post from start to finish in one onerous and back-breaking sitting, consider taking multiple posts’ tasks and breaking them into smaller, more enjoyable chunks.
Enjoying an hour of photo edits or copy editing when you feel fired up to do so, will help you stave off fatigue and find both the fun and flow within these blogging tasks.
In a webinar on blogxiety, Jessie Festa gave great tips on how to stay organized as a travel blogger.
5. Always Remember and Revisit Your Travel Blogging ‘Why’
Knowing what you’re working towards and setting up the schedules and routines that support your vision will ensure you have enough time to rewind and care for yourself daily and help you avoid becoming frazzled and burnt out.
If you find yourself needing to take a break, your ‘why’ can be a reassuring pillow that allows you to rest, knowing that when you’re recharged, you’ll be back on track. Because at the end of the day, nothing feels better than feeling good and living your purpose.
It’s crucial to recognize burnout as early as possible and take action before you decide to quit and close down your blog. So try all of our tips right now!
