MOJO: A quality that attracts people to you and makes you successful and full of energy.
I’ve had some mega mojo missing lately, especially when it comes to writing.
It got to the point that I couldn’t even look at my blog. Just logging into my dashboard filled me with a sense of anxiety because I just had no idea what to write about and actually, I didn’t even want to try! Has anyone been there? Where you have a responsibility (even if it’s not really a responsibility but it just feels like one) and you can’t stand the idea of it?
My blog is a hobby but I feel a responsibility to my readers to write the good stuff but I was sick of the sight of it if I’m honest! I think we all get like that. We get sick of our job, cooking, cleaning, we lose the reading mojo, the exercise mojo, the eating healthy mojo. Sometimes we can’t even stand the sight of our other half (come on, be honest! We’ve all been sick of our partner at some point in time. Especially when they can’t even put their dirty clothes in the laundry hamper and put it BESIDE the bloody thing instead! It’s really not that hard!).
I think the only thing I never get sick of is coffee!
So I’ve basically been avoiding this space. The problem is that eventually you need to make a decision – do I sink or swim? I either bite the bullet and just start writing again or I continue with my ‘break’ and the longer it goes on the less I feel like starting up again.
I love blogging, I do. Blogging got me out of a hole that I was feeling stuck in. A rut. It gave me some much needed motivation to do something that wasn’t work, wasn’t running a household and wasn’t just being a mum.
I’m not sporty by any stretch of the imagination, I’m not that creatively motivated even though I used to love art. I love to read but as far as hobbies went I had nada but I felt like I wanted (needed) something just for me. Hence I turned back to writing but if I’m honest, sometimes I’m just exhausted. It’s no reflection on my readers but sometimes I just can’t be assed with the writing, the editing, the searching for images. Sometimes I just want to flop on the couch and watch TV! Writing uses energy and brain function and sometimes by the time I sit down in the evening it’s 8.30pm and I’m exhausted. I used to write in the mornings but since I have taken on the kindy and care drop offs in the mornings and not getting to work until 10am, I no longer have that time to write. I’m trying to adapt to the new routine and fit it in but obviously I’m struggling a little on that front and need to work something out that will work.
Fellow bloggers know that actually, despite blogging being a hobby for many of us (we certainly don’t do it for the money of which I can honestly say I have never made a cent) it takes up a whoooole lot of time and energy. Often we pour our souls into it and sometimes it feels like it’s not even worth it when you don’t get many click through’s to make it worthwhile. And aside from the writing, editing and image hunting you have the social sharing, the marketing of your blog, the interaction with your audience. Most of the time I love it and then I’ll get to a point of burn out where I feel I have nothing meaningful to write. We’re hard on ourselves to make sure what we put out there is WORTH putting out there and worth the trouble for you to click through and read it. Lately that ‘worth writing’ mojo hasn’t been lurking!
It’s been a tough two weeks though to be fair! Our family dog died and then we had a tummy bug flatten the family. I hate tummy bugs! Of all the bugs, they’re the worst! So it’s been a rough one. And my house wasn’t in order which means neither was my brain. It’s funny how the two can go hand in hand!
So I asked some bloggy friends for some advice and they suggested I write about losing my writing mojo. A slight contradiction of losing the mojo to write about the mojo, but hey! It worked! I think they’re right though, sometimes you just gotta do what you don’t wanna do to be motivated to do the doing.
Have you ever lost your mojo?
Linking up with: #IBOT @ Essentially Jess
Hurrah! Welcome back. You just write about whatever spills out of your head; we’ll still be here to read it xx
Rebecca Bowyer recently posted…3 charities that simply shouldn’t exist
Thanks Rebecca, I need to touch base with my heart I think and try and get the words flowing!
Yes! Happens to me a lot. That’s when I write silly fluff to amuse myself. Nothing wrong with taking a bloggy break though 🙂 welcome back!
Amy @ Handbagmafia recently posted…Sexism in School Uniform
Maybe I should take a leaf out of your book Amy! I like writing silly fluff.
Yes I read words from you. When people get sick its natural to lose interest in d returning around you. When there is a death in the family,d wry thing stops. Baby steps Haidee. I would miss your blogs
Natalie @ our parallel connection recently posted…6 ways to lose your fear and live a wild life
Yep, the combo was a killer! No pun intended!
I LOVE your final line! Yes, doing the doing makes the doing more do-able!
Emily recently posted…Practical Perfection – Kelly Exeter (book review and GIVEAWAY)
I’m so glad you liked it Emily, huge compliment coming from you! Thanks 🙂
I swear my mojo has been teasing me and playing peekaboo for a month. I don’t know. I’m just riding it out right now.
I’m sorry to hear about the loss of your dog xox
Vanessa recently posted…A Morning With…
Thanks Vanessa. I swear the change of season to winter also messes with our motivation!
I feel you. I’m very much the same. I blog for me, something I enjoy, but sometimes the pressure to write is a turn-off. Furtunately, I’ve been wanting to write I just having trouble finding the time … been procrastinate a lot lately, so yes understand that component to blogging as well.
I use to try and publish something at least once a week, cause you know they say you should, to gain loyal readership, but now I publish when I feel the content is worth posting.
It’s also good to have a break, take it if you need too. They say distance makes the heart grow fonder, I think this applies to stuff we do regularly. Whether it’s blogging, exercise, cooking or even running a home business.
I had a 3 month hiatus, but as my blog is so tiny, it didn’t really matter. But suddenly, all the words and things popped back into my head. And my blog is still tiny, but I’m scribbling away and the best bit? I’m having fun. Hope the fun has popped back into your blogging life, too. x
Jo recently posted…Feel the fear and do it anyway
Mine comes and goes with regularity, quite boring really.I love writing when it’s going well and get bored and find one hundred others things I simply must do at other times. I’m glad you made it back today xx
Nicole @ The Builder’s Wife recently posted…Finding Confidence – Women In Construction
Keep on writing Haidee. Blogging wouldn’t be the same without you. I do get sick of my partner, but like you, I never tire of coffee!
Claire @ Life on Wallace recently posted…The lunchbox of a fussy eater
I haven’t been blogging for long but I hear you loud and clear sister!
I don’t have any advice, just a note to say you’re not alone!
I never tire of coffee either – or wine for that matter 😉
Brilliant post, Haidee. I just love reading your words. Even if you have nothing to say you really make it quite interesting. I’ve lost my blogging mojo many times. Sometimes a break helps and other times you just have to push on through. You’re right, blogging – our hobby- takes up so much time and effort and it can make you wonder why we do it. Hmmm. I don’t know the answer to that. The connections, I guess, and the friendship. Anyway, I’m clearly rambling. Great to have you back.
Renee Wilson recently posted…Diary of an emotional eater
Hang in there lovely. We all lose our Mojo at times and there are different ways to bring it back. I think just writing has helped me work through mine. X
Bec Senyard recently posted…Why my Resin Jewellery Makes the Best Presents for Mother’s Day
My mojo is off for blog writing, on for yoga teaching at the moment, and off for my day job. So a bit all over the place. Don’t force yourself Haidee – you’ve written this post so you’ve go ‘back on the wagon’ so to speak, but I reckon just take it in your own time. And sorry to hear about losing your dog. That loss together with tummy bugs is certainly a very big reason to be without mojo.
Kathy recently posted…A recipe for balance
Firstly, so sorry to hear about your dog. Thats hard to deal with.
As for losing my mojo – yes! It happens regularly, so dont beat yourself up. It will return when you least expect it!
I blog for a hobby too and sometimes lose my mojo! It’s like anything in life. Welcome back! Sometimes writing out the meh feelings helps!
Argh I hate it when my mojo goes awol! It always returns though so hang in there. Sorry to hear about your family dog, ours to passed away a few weeks ago and it was heartbreaking c
And just like that….you are back! This was a great post Haidee! Stay connected here won’t you? Love your blogging voice. Denyse xx
denyse whelan blogs recently posted…What I Used To Do. 366/110.
Yes, I’ve lost my blogging mojo too at the mo – I try not to stress about it! Life sometimes just gets in the way hey?!
I’m so glad you’re back!
We’ve all been mojo less. Some weeks the thought of blogging is too hard, but I’m glad I’ve got IBOT to push me through. I think I may have given up a long time ago if it wasn’t there.
EssentiallyJess recently posted…“Don’t take my wings!” The tale of the boxed butterfly #IBOT
I lost mine about a month ago and am still finding my way back. Like you I started back with writing about how I felt (overwhelmed) and then about the journey back, which I’m still on. Welcome back and keep at it!
I’m a big fan of writing it out — always. If it’s your thing, it’s your thing and it will save you even when it feels like it’s out of reach.
Absolutely, it happens to us all. For myself, I don’t panic, because I know that sooner or later it will be back 🙂 . Plus, I am the master of my blog – it’s not the master of me. So if I need a day or week off – I take it. It’s not the end of the world and my readers will still be there when I get back.
Visiting from #teamIBOT x
Janet aka Middle Aged Mama recently posted…The Power of a Daily Dose of Cute
Good on you for sharing this Haidee! I think it’s really important that people see the good, the bad and the ugly that comes with blogging. I have had times when I have been in a rut, and i just step back from the computer and reconnect with the world and life. Most of the times, for me, I just need to change something…and that happens to be my blog design. Giving my blog a makeover always makes feel good and inspires me to write.
Charlene recently posted…Sunday Share: Taking a Break (Week 16)
I totally get where you are coming from. I have only really been writing regularly recently. Then I feel this stupid sense of responsibility the more I write the more consistent I need to be instead of accepting that some days just breathing is hard work.
I suffer from oversharers disorder so I actually get scared that I am far to open when I am writing and that will make people uncomfortable.
Write when you can about whatever comes to mind and we will be here to read it. In the meantime I hope you find your balance and mojo.
So glad you’re getting your mojo back and sorry to hear you’ve had a rough trot. My mojo has gone at the moment and hoping a short break helps too! Here’s to lots of inspiration (and great social media reach!) x
Emma @ Life, kids and a glass of red recently posted…Great reads for little bookworms