Blog burnout is definitely a real thing, and honestly I’m just now finding my way back from it. The thing about blogging is, that the subject of your blog is as much a part of the burnout as the writing is. I’m making this article because I think it might help some people. Especially if you ever wish to turn something you love into something more.

Firstly, I love crocheting, and I am not saying that you shouldn’t turn your passion into a job. So please don’t take that from this article. This is only my experience, and…it’s a cautionary tale.

I’ve always loved crocheting since I first learned at a young age. I’d only briefly thought of turning it into anything like a job over the last 5 years though. If you’re an OG here, then you know I started off as at art blog. I was inspired to turn to crochet when I’d found ergonomic crochet hooks and the post did so well that I decided to move in that direction. I didn’t really ever look back after that.

A while later… still burnt out

Fast forward a few years and I was still making a go of it with the crochet blog. My goal to make instructions that were easy to follow both in pictures and written instructions. You can be the judge about how successful I am with that lol.

I have all the social media’s, and an etsy shop where I sell crochet patterns. So.. I was busy. There was always something to work on or be doing. And that’s probably why I got myself so burnt out.

I kept growing slowly, but fairly steadily. As I grew, I added to my list of responsibilities. I didn’t really take breaks, and I was always trying to get myself ahead… Theoretically, so I wouldn’t have to worry.. but really, it was just so I could add more to my plate 🙃

I’d been using the blog and crochet in general as a coping mechanism for my depression and anxiety.. which makes perfect sense.. giving myself more anxiety. But I just didn’t realize what I was doing to myself at the time.

Everything Hit Me At Once blog burnout and depression

My depression came to a head when I lost a close family member. I became aware that I was deeper into than I had thought and that I had been deeply depressed for over a year at that point.

A few months later, I still wasn’t doing well, but I had started to make changes. Daily exercises and journaling to try and help my mental state. I was keeping up with the blog and everything, but I still felt like something was wrong… I just didn’t know what yet. Then, one day, my then, husband, asked for a divorce.

Focusing was a bit difficult for a while after that. I also had to make quite a few changes accordingly, like getting a “real” job. (Or at least one that paid me lol.) I really just couldn’t bring myself to write anything for the blog. I tried to crochet… but it felt like it was just hurting me.

I’m sorry…

When it became necessary to make a change, the blog had to take a back seat. There was a lot that needed my attention. Plus, I was still working on myself.

I did try to push myself through the motions of keeping up with Magic Owl after about 3 months. But I started to realize that if I did that, if I kept going, then I might end up hating this blog. Or worse, crochet at all, and that wasn’t something I was willing to do.

So, I’m sorry to say I haven’t posted anything in over a year. I kept meaning to write a post, letting you guys know that I wasn’t able to keep up with it. But.. I was honestly not in the right place to write it. I cried my eyes out whenever I tried, and …I just couldn’t.

What about crochet burnout?

I haven’t crocheted unless I felt like.. don’t worry I wrote it down when I did make patterns.

I had to let myself find solace in it again. Even my reading habit had become incorporated into the blog because of the reviews.  I found that reading and / or audiobooks had started to become a chore as well.

I have worked on everything over that last year and a half… mind, body, and spirit. I’m happy to report that once I removed the pressures and didn’t force it.. I did pick up my hook quite often, but not consistently. 

I did actually work on some posts once in a while, too. I will finish those up and start posting again, I promise.

Some words of caution

If you’re in the crochet business, then please take my advice. Set some boundaries within your business model. Make it so it’s not all you’re focused on. Make time to do the thing you love without restrictions or business intentions.

It’s okay to crochet that thing and not record it. You can take a break from making orders for one night. There will always be a reason why you should keep going when you need to stop. But trust me, eventually, it hits you. And taking a break once a week or every couple of days. Whatever. Is much easier than trying to find your way back after you’ve not only lost interest.. but it now feels like something you hate.

It’s not the yarns fault you pushed too hard lol but those poor little fibers will get the brunt end of it.

I hope this is article on blog burnout has been some help to you. If you did like it then please like and share the post with someone you think would like it.