Image Credit: Celestine Chua/PhotopinCC
I’ve noticed a theme in some of my favorite blogging circles.
Energy lag. Exhaustion. Burnout.
For writers especially, this seems to be the time of year where our resolve wears thin.
Maybe we’ve had some let-downs.
Perhaps, we’ve faced rejections, rewrites, and restructured goals.
Maybe we wonder if it’s all still worth it—if this thing called “success” is really worth pursuing.
It’s easy to feel in a rut when we face disappointment after disappointment. We’re forced with a reality check we didn’t exactly choose. After a while, the weight of the reality monster threatens to crush us.
If you’re a frequent visitor to this blog, you know my goal is to uplift and encourage. I’ve also said I would always tell you the truth.
Well, here it is, friends—
I’m tired, too.
So why keep at it?
Why sit at this keyboard for hours on end—writing, blogging, and creating?
Well, I can assure you it’s not for the glamor. Nothing glamorous about my holey jeans, ratty t-shirt, or fuzzy bedroom slippers.
It’s not because I’m a martyr. (Frankly, I can think of easier ways to sacrifice my time, talent, and newfound wrinkles.)
It’s not even for the fame, fortune, or the wish to be heard. (Although—let’s be honest. Writers hope their stories will be read and loved. Novelists who write Christian fiction also want to impart some deeper truths.)
How then do we press forward knowing there are no guarantees?
Maybe that question’s best answered by making a Pro/Con list.
On my PRO list I might include these bullet points:
- If I press forward, success may be just around the corner.
- If I press forward, I might encourage someone else.
- If I press forward, I limit failure.
- If I press forward, I’ll please God.
On my CON list:
- If I quit, what then?
- If I quit, can I live with not knowing?
- If I quit, will I have stopped too soon?
- If I quit, will it be God’s will or mine?
Your list may look a little different. The point is by jotting down Pros versus Cons, we’re able to get a better visual on the direction we should head.
I love the quote on today’s blog photo. It nails it.
It puts failure into perspective in a very candid, very real way.
I don’t believe God wants any of us to feel like failures.
I think we should rest, recharge, and renew for a time. Sometimes for a season.
And then we should go for it again.
We should look success square in the eye and say
Okay. I see you up ahead. And I’m putting you on notice.
I may not be there yet, but I’m headed your way—and I’m not giving up!
***
How do you deal with burn-out?
What are your tips for staying goal-focused?
PLEASE SHARE
Thinking about quitting? Encouragement found here:
*I’m taking a blogging break Friday. See you back on Monday!
Blessings Always,
Comments 9
I try to keep in mind the people I knew who are dead now, and who, in their last moments, would have wanted the time to do what they wanted…or to just enjoy life.
I avoid burnout by reminding myself how phenomenally lucky I am, simply to have the opportunity to do some things I like, and to live in comfort, with all my limbs more or less intact.
I can see, I can hear, I can reason. I can chew my food. I can walk.
For all of the people who can’t do these things, or who never lived to have the chance, I need to appreciate life and the gifts I’ve received.
There’s no excuse for burnout. It’s an affront to God.
Author
Andrew, you’re our midweek dose of tough love. And you’re right—we are blessed beyond measure. While I do think people can grow weary and downright sick of circumstances, I agree with your mindset. I personally know my limit and when I start recognizing telltale indicators, that’s when I step away for awhile and regroup.
Thanks so much for your perspective—I really appreciate you!
Well, I hit burnout earlier this year. It took me down hard…the worst part of burnout, for me, isn’t the physical part…it’s the emotional part. 🙂
But God gave me some wonderful opportunities to recharge (like just this past weekend–time spent at my parents house)…but even more than that, I’ve seen some of the beauty in burnout. No, it’s not a desirable thing that we should hope for. But I think there’s a good burnout…the kind that comes from giving all you have to something. A positive sort of exhaustion. A friend and I were chatting about this and I remember bringing up candles…they burn down to nothing because they’ve accomplished what they’re supposed to!
So no…I don’t to seek out exhaustion. But lately I’m discovering the joy of working HARD, feeling like I’ve given all I have to give…and then getting to that awesome point where God says, “Okay, you’re empty…let me fill you up…because we’re not done.” 🙂
As for my tips for staying goal-focused: Accountability! I don’t know what I’d do without my craft partner, Lindsay, and the way she helps me stay on track!
Author
Melissa, I was re-editing my post when your comment popped up. (Thank you, editor friends, for catching things like “holy jeans” when I meant holey jeans. Lol)
I agree with you about the “good” burnout. I think we have to be careful, too, because even good exhaustion can lead to a distorted reality. That’s where much-needed R&R comes in! (There’s nothing like regrouping with the people we love most.)
And about accountability… yep! We need those special friends in our lives who will tell it like it is and force us to press on even when we’d rather not.
I wished we lived closer, so we could have coffee every so often. You and I think a lot alike.
I’ve had social media burn out for about six months now. It came after a very difficult year – losing my mother-in-law, my dog, recovering from difficult knee surgery…and so on. I went back to work and found that it was hard to keep up with the social media part and try to write. Working full time, my family and writing time became precious to me. With all this other stuff going on, something had to give. I stopped blogging for a time. I do plan to take it up again soon. In the meantime, I’ve finished another novel. Dedicating this time to my writing was God’s plan…I’m sure of it.
I just press forward because God put it on my heart to write. It’s His reason, and His will, not mine.
Great post!
Love and miss you, Cindy!
~Loree
*wish…lol…I need an editor.
Author
Loree, I’ve thought of you so much, my dear! I’ve missed you, as well!
I’m so sorry it’s been a challenging year—that seems woefully inadequate for me to describe it that way. Please know I’ve never stopped praying for you. Stepping away from social media was probably the best gift you could give yourself during that time and proof of that is another book written! That’s wonderful!
(I hope to see you at ACFW this fall… We have so much catching up to do! And I’m selfish. I want more than 15 minutes this time!)
Ahhh…I wish we lived closer, too. I think you’re right—we do seem to be like-minded.
xoxo
Oh, Cynthia … that quote is beautiful. We just never know … we can’t give up. I needed that armful of reminder today! And just when I get a little discouraged … I look and see you’ve shared my blog post … and you made my heart so happy. Thank you!
Author
Shelli, your blog post was just beautiful! I love the thoughts you share on your blog and the transparency of your heart. You encourage me! I know God has His hand on your writing ministry and is working behind the scenes at this moment to bring His will to fruition.
(I so wish Blogger and WP got along a little better–I’d love to be able comment more on my favorite friends’ sites. Please know you are so special to me!)