when you no longer enjoy blogging

Posted on by ilsa

Hi everyone.

this won’t be like my usual posts. it will be different and it will be one of the most honest posts i have ever written.

i don’t know if i like blogging anymore.

i know i know. some of you may have seen me tweet about this and i wanted to write a normal post but everything i seemed to write seemed to just end up really sad or flat.

i am really demotivated.

i can’t bring myself to write posts and I’ve just started blog hopping. for some reason, my stats are low, i feel like i don’t have time to run a blog anymore, and no matter how many arcs i get, i still feel all the arc envy. i feel like everyone is moving forward and I’m moving backwards. i feel like every blogger is upping their game and I’m slacking.

my stats are pure rubbish. and i know people say ‘don’t compare yourself’ ‘numbers aren’t everything’ and that used to work; i never used to care. but lately, for some weird sudden reason, I’ve started checking them and have been really put down by them because they’re horrible.

i know i should be grateful. some people may think i have it all with my follower counts and likes and my fair amount of comments and i should stop complaining

but this is how i feel right now. you don’t have to read this. this is me getting stuff o my chest and feel free to think whatever you like of me. i may seem ungrateful or whiny but it is just me.

i have no idea if i want to continue blogging. i at down the other day, put my head in my hands and thought. I’ve been so stressed out lately and i hate it and blogging hasn’t helped. sometimes the community has made me so torn. I’m always forced to have the “right” opinion and its tiring always being so freaking correct about everything. people are so annoying sometimes and because having a different point of view is so hard.

there are some things keeping me here, in this community. 

  • leaving the blogosphere is such a scary idea
  • you guys are so awesome and sweet and i love you all ❤
  • I still have ARCs to review and I like getting free books
  • comments make my day

it’s mostly the first one. letting go of blogging is such a wild concept i can’t even begin to imagine what it would be like. to not have the pressure to read or the hype or thinking of blog ideas at night and wasting hours talking to blogger friends and just generally, being a book blogger.

i don’t think i can let blogging go.

and if i can’t; i won’t. this is not me quitting. this is me laying out my feelings in a blog post.

i want to write more posts like this. i want to be myself more often. i feel like there’s such a huge pressure to always have “QUALITY CONTENT” and i’m so done with that. i’m not going to delete this post. just because it’s not your definition of a 1000 word, professional looking post, i don’t care.

also if someone wants to buy me the cruel prince by holly black let me know because i need that book like i need air but i don’t think its even out in the UK.

this is me.

also update on my life right now

  • a thousand perfect notes
  • is nearly released
  • less than 6 months left!!! IM NOT SCREAMING YOU ARE
  • i want ice cream
  • tea and biscuits are soo good
  • i love caraval by Stephanie Garber
  • i just remembered how much i love Nina zenik and waffles
  • city of brass is so slow
  • booktube is so addicting
  • i wanna start a booktube
  • i don’t wanna read 150 books this year.
  • stranger things season 3 is coming out in 2019. A WHOLE YEAR WITHOUT STEVE?!
  • vulcans
  • okay i’m done

hope you guys are all having a nice and wonderful life filled with cake. i am a penguin and my name is eleven.

-ilsa

137 thoughts on “when you no longer enjoy blogging”

  1. Blogging shouldn’t feel like a chore. Take some time away from it. Step away for a month and reevaluate then. Maybe you’ll miss it and be itching to come back, or maybe you’ll need more time (which is fine!). If you’re not enjoying it, then give it a break. You can still read blogs and comment on blogs and be on Twitter so you wouldn’t be completely cutting the blogosphere out of your life. You do you, though. Just know that I and many others support whatever you decide!

    Liked by 4 people

    2. thank you so much “cool beans” i love your blog so much and your advice is something i am taking on board. im going to take a small break and i hope that after that, my love for blogging will return. i can’t bear the idea of leaving the blogoshphere so hopefully this small hiatus will help. i think i still will be lurking around on twitter and tlaking to freinds but just not writing posts. thanks so much for this comment again, you’re awesome!

      Like

  2. Take a break for a bit, just let yourself breath for a while. I think you need to work out what you want from this; enjoyment for yourself, building a label or trying to be ‘famous’. Once you really know what you are going for then it will be easier for you. I do this for enjoyment but mainly as well to build a label.

    Liked by 1 person

  3. I love this post. I love how you just laid everything out on the table. I think the blogosphere and the book community as a whole needs to see posts like this. Breaks are necessary. I hope you don’t quit blogging, but I would completely understand if you did. And a whole year until season three of Stranger Things.

    Liked by 2 people

    1. thank you Ashley. this was such an easy post to write because it was how i felt but such a hard post to publish beacuse its such a different post. i will be taking a break, as everyone in the comments has suggested and hopefully, i come back with a passion for blogging. and i honestly cannot wait for season 3 of stranger things.

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  4. I hope that you feel better about blogging soon; this is for enjoyment. 😊 And wow, do I ever relate? My stats = low. Other people upping their game, me struggling to understand everything. (I mean, if you buy a domain name for WordPress.org, does it matter if the ending is .org or .com? DOES IT AFFECT IT?! Maybe I’ll just google it.) But I guess TGIF. I NEED A BREAK. FROM LIFE IN GENERAL. JOIN ME.
    I’ll bring cake. 🎂

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Thank you julia! and haha we shall both have low stats and needing cake. we shall both be on little breaks snacking on ice cream and biscuits because what else is life. and yes there are huge differences between .org and .com and i hope google helps with that.

      Liked by 1 person

  5. Speaking from experience, I completely understand what you’re feeling. I went through the same thoughts and feelings way back in May about how blogging was starting to feel like a chore and how I wasn’t sure if I could keep up or not. Its extremely strong for you to admit those feelings but its like a necessary evil, you know? You can’t keep it up inside or one day you’ll just explode. I took a break from blogging longer than I expected and it wasn’t until a few days a go where I stumbled upon my blog and this wave of memories just started to flood back in. If taking a break from blogging helps you find your way back or find a new passion I think you should do it. Just remember that sometimes you have to put your needs before anybody else’s. I wish you the best ❤ P.S. OMG I feel the same way about Cruel Prince by Holly Black. I just want it to magically fall into my hands!!

    Liked by 1 person

    1. thank youuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuu. Im so sorry you went through this as well! Im so glad that you are back at blogging and I hope a break will help and I’ll be back more afresh for the new year!! THANK YOU SO MUCH this comment is fabulous and I will devour all the advice happily. AND SAME EVERYONE LOVES THE CRUEL PRINCE SO MUCH I NEED TI NOW.

      Liked by 1 person

  6. Aww! I love reading your blog posts, and they make me happy. I always look forward to them. Most bloggers, take blogging as a responsibility, but you have to remember, that you are a human being and sometimes, you just need to take a break. It always helps to work on some your other hobbies. Also, I absolutely LOVE your snippets.
    ❤ Arunima

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  7. Awww hehe I totally understand what you are saying. There are some bloggers who DO without seeming to try. They are trying probably but its just not obvious (right?!) You really aren’t here to entertain us though… you’re to put YOU out there even if it isn’t the way others (that cause blogger envy) do it. We LOVE Ilsa just the way she is. She doesn’t have to be perfect! Blogger envy is something EVERY blogger struggles with… actually its safe to say envy in general is! I hope this helped you and I thought your poetry was great!! It’s nice to see you sharing things you enjoy. ❤

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    1. DANIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIII. YOU AWESOME HUMAN BEING!! And yeah? It feels like everyone is jut naturally good @ everything while I slobber away in the corner EVEN THOUGH EVERYONE ELSE IS PROBABLY WORKING THEIR BUTTS OFF. And “we love ilsa just the way she is” made me smile so much!! This comment definitely helped and Im so glad you like the snippets! *squeals*

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  8. if you aren’t enjoying blogging and you need time off, i (and i know loads of other people) will totally understand. blogging can be very hard sometimes and you definitely shouldn’t do it if you don’t want to. the most important thing is that you do what you want to do. and if you did one day decide to make a booktube, i’d totally watch it 😀

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      1. if you didn’t already know i have a booktube (haven’t uploaded in FOREVER) and trust me, we’re probably on the same level of awkward haha :p

        Liked by 1 person

  9. I haven’t followed your blog for that long but I enjoy reading your posts! For sure, blogging can feel like a chore and it sucks when it does. But as long as in your heart, you still love blogging, you’ll continue. Read blogs, read arcs, read books, take a break, and come back when you feel ready! I really hope writing this post helped you, and I’d love to see more posts like this on your blog in the future.

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  10. Psssst. Have some ice cream. I’m sorry you’re feeling like this, but it’s okay, we all need a break once in a while! 😫
    I really hope you start having fun again, and hey, give yourself permission to post or not post whatever you want! This is for yourself, there’s no one out there you need to please with your posts, and there will always be someone who likes what you write, no matter what it is. And yep. Do have the ice cream. It’s mandatory, I believe.

    Also, I’ve never talked with you before even though I’ve been following your blog, so I should probably say nice to meet you?? Well, nice to meet you 😜

    Liked by 1 person

    1. i have to have some ice cream. i havent had some in a while which is maybe why im feeling like this. AND THANK YOU FOR YOUR ADVICE AND KIND WORDS YOU ARE THE BEST ❤ Your comment is very much appreicatied and NICE TO MEET YOU TO. I like meeting new wonderful kind humans here on my weird blog.

      Liked by 1 person

  11. Ilsa!!! ❤ I totally understand this feeling. I think maybe you should consider taking a break? (Although please come back afterwards because I'll miss you!!) I know blogging can be a bit depressing at times, I mean, I obviously have a big and well established blog but it took me YEARS to get there and I was constantly motivated by my want to raise an army…erm, *cough* I mean build a following so that when I was published I'd have people who knew me. So that constantly kept me blogging despite ARCs being stupid and not coming to me when I wanted them. 😂😂 (JUST KIDDING. haha.) So it could be a timing thing? And I know it sucks to work really really hard and not reap any good benefits. But just know your posts are fun and you are a wonderful voice in the community! AND I LOVE YOUR SNIPPETS.

    (Also mildly freaking out that yOU MENTIONED ATPN, YOU PRECIOUS BEAN. 💕💕)

    Liked by 1 person

    1. CAIIIIIIIT!!! ❤ Ahhhh i will be taking a small break, not too long but not too short and I will probably return in February and there will be candy floss so don’t worry! it will be worth it ahaha. and eep i love your blog so much and the amount of effort you put into it is awe-worthy. and yes! always the motivation with world domination, cait. ahahah. and thank you! YOU LIKED THE SNIPPETS *Flails and eats chocolate cake in celebration* THANK YOU FOR THIS WONDERFUL COMMENT, it made me feel a lot better!! how could i not mention ATPN.

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  13. i’m so sorry you’re in such turmoil and so upset and stressed right now. it’s the worst feeling. but it’s also why i’m obsessed with taking random arbitrary blogging hiatuses whenever it doesn’t feel fun anymore. the only obligation you have is to yourself!! blogging should be fun, and sometimes it totally isn’t – but we shouldn’t feel bad about not doing it when it’s one of those times.

    i hope life calms for you soon and that blogging is fun for you again someday, because you are a universal fave ❤

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    1. ahhhh emma thank you so much! it is the worstttt and i think i will take a small hiatus, just a tiny one though. blogging SHOULD be fun and im hoping a small break will bring that back. AND THANK YOU EMMA YOU ARE THE SWEETEST YOUR KIND WORDS ARE THE BEST.

      Liked by 1 person

  14. Personally, I am more inclined to read posts like this one than I am the typical reviews, blog tours, etc. generally written by book bloggers. (One of the reason I don’t write those types of posts myself). I am newer visitor to your blog, but my take on this is BE YOU. You don’t have to have the popular opinion, or post on a certain schedule unless it’s true to who you are. If you want to talk about ice cream (a personal favorite of mine), then talk about ice cream. If you want to gush about an unpopular book… gush about it! I guarantee there is someone else out there who loves it too. Same goes if you don’t enjoy a popular book, there will be others who agree. Life is short, be who you are and do what you love (it took me a lot of years to come to this realization for myself).

    Liked by 1 person

    1. BE YOU is great advice thank you. im glad you enjoyed this post somehwat (?) and WELCOME since you are newer visitor. i love talking about ice cream and i hope to make my content more “ME” Thank you so much for your comment it means a lot to me and I will take this advice kindly!!

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  15. Stats and all that can be depressing. I’ve been blogging almost two years and still don’t have 100 followers. Then I see blogs who have only been running for a few months and already have hundreds of followers. Comparison can be a joy stealer. Keep your chin up. You have skills. I love your blog!

    Liked by 1 person

  16. Ooooh my goodness Ilsa don’t leave us!!! Your posts are for real a highlight in my reader! I’m not saying that just to make you feel better (well, not exactly) it’s true!! You should totally take a hiatus!! Blogging is currently more of a chore so I’m taking a hiatus. Just giving myself time to recharge;

    I totally understand the stats thing! Seriously, though, you have one of the blogs I look up to! You have over 1,500 followers! If that’s not something I don’t know what is! I’m only at 200! If you go on hiatus and decide that it totally helps your life, then you are totally free to leave. Just know that we’ll miss you, but support any decision!
    (BTW, you are awesome ❤)
    Rachel

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    1. dont fret rachel. i shall be back in February and hopefully more happier and passionate about blogging!! thanks for the advice and im soooo honoured that you enjoy my blog posts!

      AND OMG THAT MEANS THE WORLD!! and 200 is fabuloussss! Thanks soo much rachel, this made me feel a lot better.

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  18. ♥ sending you love and chocolate and ice cream and warm blankets and hugs ♥

    I hope you feel better, Ilsa. Taking a break is the best thing you can do for yourself sometimes. ♥

    CARAVAL IS SO GOOD!! I can not wait for Legendary even though I barely remember what happened in Caraval by now xD

    If I could be ANY character in Six of Crows, I would be Nina Zenki. Why? She’s loud and flirty and loves her body and constantly eats waffles and Kaz calls her love and dear and I would faint if he called me love xD ohh goodness, I’m still not over him. I need help xD

    SALTY SALTY SALTY SALTY SALT SALT SALT *throws salt everywhere*
    I like chips and they have salt and therefore, salt has its uses xD

    ooooh, booktube!! That was originally my plan in December, but then I legit had to sit myself down and think it through because I DON’T LIKE PEOPLE WATCHING ME. I WOULD FLAP ALL THE TIME AND SQUEAL CONSTANTLY AND HAVE A REALLY LOUD VOICE. So, I decided to try the safer option: book blogging. But, if you want to try it, I wish you all the best 🙂

    YAAAAAAAS! I ADORE SNIPPETS! THANK YOU FOR GIVING US SOME ON THIS POST!! That second one is so sad yet true. That’s probably why it’s true 😦

    HOLY CHEESE CRACKERS AND FLYING TOMATOES, THAT THIRD ONE IS AWESOME!!! OH, I WOULD LOVE TO BETA READ FOR YOU, IF YOU EVER WANT BETA READERS!! AHHHH, THAT CROWN AND QUEEN OF THE DEEP AND DARK FOREST!!

    A GUITAR MADE OUT OF PETALS ♥ BEAUTY CAN ONLY EVER GROW *flail* YOU’RE ARE SUCH A GOOD POET!!

    YOU, ILSA BELSA, ARE AWESOME AND SUCH A KIND AND SWEET, TERRIFIC PERSON. YOU HAVE A BEAUTIFUL HEART AND YOUR WRITING IS AMAZING AND AS GORGEOUS AS YOU AND YOU DESERVE ALL THE GOODNESS. ALWAYS REMEMBER THAT YOU’RE FABULOUS AND DON’T EVER FORGET THAT ♥

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    1. OMG HAN YOU PRECIOUS POTATO THIS COMMENTS MEAN THE ENTIRE UNIVERSE TO ME WHAT THE HECK ALL THE ICE CREAM AND CHOCOLATE AND LOVE AND WARM BLANKETS ARE ACPPETED AND APPRECIATED. ♥ sending you love and chocolate and ice cream and warm blankets and hugs ♥

      ahhh you’re too kind. i will take that advice and will take a little break but shall return shortly.

      I NEED LEGENDARY LIKE AIR!!! Caraval was so magical i just want to scream forever about it.

      I WANT TO BE NINA TOO OMG. Waffles!!! Confidence!! SO MUCH SASS I SWEAR SHE IS THE QUEEN OF SASS! and I love Kaz so much he is my favourite.

      i probably wont create a booktube but i love watching videos while snacking on crisps. OMG IF YOU STARTED
      BOOK TUBE I WOULD LOVE YOUR FLAPPING AND SQUEALING AND LOUD VOICE. and if you every DO create on I will be a happy bean.

      IM SO GLAD YOU LIKE THE SNIPPETS IM NOT CRYING. and why is the second one true i wish it was a lie.
      AND OF COURSE, I WOULD LET YOU BE A BETA READER. once i have something worthy enough to share. AND THANK YOU YOUR MAKING ME BLUSH WHICH IS A CRIME HAN YOUR COMPLIMENTS ARE THE SWEETEST. im soooo infinitely happy you like my poems.

      ASDFGHJKL HAN STOP THIS IS TOO MUCH IM DROWNING IN APPRECIATION FOR YOU AND YOUR WORDS!!!! THANK YOUUUUU.

      Liked by 1 person

      1. But, don’t forget to come back!! WE’LL MISS YOU DEARLY!!

        I like to joke that Kaz is my husband, but then it ends up not being a joke anymore because it’s oh so real to me xD

        awww, thank you!! I LOVE KNOWING THAT THERE IS SOMEONE WHO WILL APPRECIATE MY FLAPPING AND LOUD SQUEALING!! I am not planning on creating a YouTube at the moment, but who knows what will happen in the future?

        YAY!! I CAN BE A BETA READER!!! *flaps and squeals* I CAN’T WAIT!!

        That is a crime I’m willing to commit haha 🙂
        YOU ARE WELCOME, ILSA, BUT I’M ONLY TELLING THE TRUTH!!

        Liked by 1 person

  19. I’m really sad that you aren’t enjoying blogging anymore… I really love your posts, and I will continue to love them even if they aren’t ‘perfect’ or ‘professional’ or anything like that.
    And you know what, if you need to, just take a break. I don’t want you to stop blogging, and I really hope you come back, but take a break, because your happiness is way more important than blogging.
    Sending you lots of love and support ❤️❤️❤️❤️

    Liked by 1 person

  20. Aww, thank you for being so honest, Ilsa! I wish I could mail you cake. And give you a hug. I understand how you’re feeling, because I’ve been in the same place- sometimes it just feels like way too much and what’s the point anyway? But I always end up remembering all the good things about it, and get motivated again. I hope that happens for you, and while you’re figuring it out, I hope you give yourself a well deserved break or do whatever else is best for you. 💞 Put yourself and your needs over everything else!

    Liked by 1 person

    1. cake is always good and its the thought that counts right? *accepts virtual hug* Thanks so much for your kind words, they mean the world to me and have made me remember why I love blogging. I hope I figure things out over my short break so thank you Olivia ❤

      Liked by 1 person

  21. I think a lot of us can relate to this feeling! I hope that being able to vent and express how you have been has helped a little bit. I see a lot of people suggesting taking a break, and I think that’s a great idea (although I will miss you!) I know that taking a hiatus has helped many other bloggers find their love for blogging again!

    Liked by 1 person

  22. i love you i love you i love you i love you i love you i love you i love you i love you i love you i love you i love you i love you i love you i love you i love you i love you i love you i love you i love you i love you i love you i love you i love you i love you i love you i love you i love you i love you i love you i love you i love you i love you i love you i love you i love you i love you i love you i love you i love you i love you i love you i love you i love you i love you i love you i love you i love you i love you i love you i love you i love you i love you i love you i love you i love you i love you i love you i love you i love you i love you i love you i love you i love you i love you

    ❤ ❤ i loved reading all of your snippets and poems your writing is so fantastic ilsa!! you deserve more stats than you get, honestly

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      1. AHHH WHY WAS THIs IN SPAM WHY DOES WORDPRESS HATE ME 😦 you are the best and my favorite too!! i love you so much ahhhhhhh I hope you find your spark for blogging soon! it’s completely okay if you don’t, and we will always be here to support you ILY

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  23. ilsa i lov you and think you’re an adorable penguin, i want to send you cake but i have none :((

    blogging can feel like so much work sometimes and it really sucks when that happens – but you know that we’ll always have your back everything. i don’t want to sound like an underpaid therapist, but whatever you do will be considered right because, well, you’re deciding for yourself. maybe you could continue blogging, but with a less strict schedule, or not have a fixed posting time. just some suggestions because like i said i lava you ❤ ❤

    aLSO YOUR SNIPPETS WHAT THE HELL IS THIS EVEN REAL LIFE WHAT THE ACTUAL HELL THEY'RE SO FREAKIN BEAUTIFUL I CAN'T EVEN WAHT TH EHELL

    (aris.exe has stopped working.)

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    1. aris i would give you all the cake in the world i love you toooo ❤

      and thank youuu. i will take all that advice and implement after my small break. i shall return in feburary with sunishine and cookies which is like,, the best thing ever. and nooo you don't sound like un underpaid therapist. this really helped and your kind words means o much to me. THANK YOU ARIS.

      ASDFGHJKLKJHGFDSASDFGHJKL *takes a moment to breathe* IM SO GLAD YOU LIKED Y SNIPPETS THAT MEANS EVERYTHING TO ME AHAHAHAHHAH IS THIS REAL LIFE?!

      Arissssss

      Liked by 1 person

  25. I completely understand how your feeling – im just so sad you’re feeling like this!! (as for the low stats….same😔)
    Ilsa – your blog is AMAZING. Better than mine will ever be. So many people read your posts and enjoy them, including me. There’s been many times that reading your posts have been a highlight to my day!
    It’s normal to feel unmotivated, to feel disheartened and overall ready to give up. The best answer to that is to take some time away from blogging. Take a month or so for yourself! To read books, to read other blog posts, to do school work (unfortunately😭) and just to see how life is without blogging for a bit. I feel like after a little break, you’ll know what to do. And whatever you do decide, we’ll all support you😊
    (I love your snippets❤ AND YOUU – I’M SO SAD YOU’RE SAD RN)
    (and yesss stranger things 3!!! 2019 can’t some soon enoughhhh)
    (and if you start a booktube I’ll DIE WITH HAPPINESS)
    Lots and lots and lots of *hugssss* 💕

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    1. JASMINE MY AWESOME LITTLE BLOGGER. I’m going to try and be happy BECAUSE DONT BE SAD BECAUSE OF ME!! (and nooooo for low stats. we shall cry together. although I’m sure your stats are fabulous?) AND AGHHHH your so kind I’m just going to combust!! I’m definitely going to take a small break and come back in February and i will miss you all but i think it’s for the best. and I’m so glad you like the snippets and i probably won’t start a booktube but is an idea. thanks for the ug. much needed and appreciated.

      Liked by 1 person

      1. Aweee💕💕 Don’t conbust!! Because you shall be missedddd.
        A small break is definitely for the best! I’ll miss you and your posts soooo much but without a doubt you’ve got to put yourself first❤
        It’s an idea indeed🙂 You never know what the future will bring….
        It’s okay💕 Take care!! *hugsss*

        Liked by 1 person

  26. I think we all feel demotivated at one point of time or the other. If u think you are demotivated and losing interest, then I suggest you take a break. And we all will be here when u decide to get back. Obviously, we all love you and your blog.

    Liked by 1 person

  27. Your feelings are definitely real and it’s ok to feel discouraged and tired sometimes! Don’t give yourself an even harder time for not feeling happy or greatful enough for your stats IT’S OK THAT YOU ARE FEELING LIKE THIS. I’m sending you loads of hugs and cookies ❤!!

    I know the “I’m not genuine enough on my Blog” feeling. Best thing to do is to take a break. I actually took one for some time because I wasn’t feeling 100% ok and I’m still not quite back yet. Living in the real world and not pretending for a bit HELPS. Figure yourself out first.

    Stats are a fickle thing: sometimes it’s just a combination of your favourite people being busy or on hiatus and not necessarily your fault that posts are doing worse then you’d want to.

    And as you once said on one of my posts: I love honest posts because it shows bloggers are actual persons and not just really amazing robots. Now I’m sure you are amazing but you don’t have to be a robot too.

    And I’ll miss youuu. I really will. Your posts always make me smile and feel better!! You put loads of work into all of them and HERE’S TO AN ILSA APPRECIATION DAY.

    I don’t know if this comment will be any help or if it even conveys my thoughts like I wanted (I re-wrote it 5 times because what are words). Hugs!!!! x

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    1. OMG thank you ioana! your comments are the best, this made me smile and feel all happy inside so thank youuuu. and the hugs and cookies are appreciated!!

      I’m going to take a small break and im glad a hiatus helped you and hopefully it will work its magic on me?? im actually excited to take a step back from blogging?? which is great

      i think my stats will hopefully improve and if if they don’t i hope i don’t get put down by them too much. *sigh*

      and i do think this post showed i really am a human/penguin.

      YES THANK YOU ILSA APPRECIATION DAY SHOULD EXIST. And in so glad you like my posts!! I’m!! totally!! not!! freaking!! out!! right!! now!!

      im so bad at “nice” comments too like what the heck but this comment 17788% helped so THANK YOU IOANA FROM THE BOTTOM OF MY SMALL FRAGILE HEART.

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  28. I’m so, so sorry and sad that you’re feeling this way, but I understand and your feelings are so valid. It’s okay to feel down, it’s okay to feel like it’s not enough and it’s never enough, I know I do feel that about 99% of the time while I am blogging, despite the comments, despite numbers that sometimes can be good, some other times can be disappointing.
    Like tons of people said before me, I think that the best thing to do in this situation is to try and take a step back from blogging – maybe also from twitter. I know a lot of my anxiety comes from twitter and the book blogging commmunity there, shoving down the amazing ARCs they can get and everything sometimes. Sorry. I’m being blunt but true here haha.
    It is so important to find yourself and what you love in your blog and in blogging, just like you wrote it above. Do it for yourself, find your own rhythm, find your own voice and honesty in your blog posts. I think that’s how I manage to fight that feeling I get, the exact same feeling you described here. By writing honest blog posts about my envy, my struggles and by, every once in a while – sometimes it’s a day, sometimes it’s a week, every two months or something – taking a step back. And remind myself WHY I love it and why, when I am not here, I miss it.
    Sending you all the love and hugs. You are fantastic and one of the BEST bloggers out there. Seriously. ❤ We'll always be here for you. ❤

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    1. mariieeeeeee ❤ ahhh im not crying at all obviously. just internally im so glad everyone is so understanding of this and the comment here just make me feel so much better.

      im taking a small break and will be back in February. im so excited to actually do this because i think when i come back i will be more passionate about blogging and have a much more positive view on everything. i think not using Twitter for a while would be quite good so i'll try it out. and yeah book mail makes me so jealous!! its the truth ahha.

      thank you for your advice love and hugs. your words mean the world to me. i hope i figure everything out and i love your blog too. thank you marie for sticking with me even when i havent been the best blogger. you're awesome and i appreciate you so much. ❤ ❤❤❤❤❤❤ YOU ARE FABULOUS and i shall shout this from the rooftops.

      Ps. this comment was in spam.

      Liked by 1 person

      1. (thank you for letting me know. I tend to visit spams often when I’m doing blog hopping sessions like I was on this very day. oops. why does wordpress hates me when I try and spread the loveeeee).

        I hope you will come back refreshed and with all the motivation in the world next month. I’m always here if you want to chat about it and be jealous with me – I get really jealous at times, too, we can rant about that together hahaha.
        YOU ARE INCREDIBLE, take care of yourself okay, you blogging queen ❤ ❤

        Liked by 1 person

  29. You should definitely take a break and don’t let yourself get stressed over it or your bran will explode! Remember, blogging isn’t a chore and we all will still be here if you decide to take a little bread. Sending love❤

    Liked by 1 person

  30. Aww Ilsa, it’s okay to feel like this. You’re a human being after all. It’s okay to take a break and think with a fresh mind.
    Whatever you do we’re all going to support you no matter what.
    Ps – I just started watching Sprinkled Pages and I am loving it. Also I wanna start Booktube too.
    Sending you loads of hugs and ice cream!

    Like

  31. I am so sorry you feel like this 😦
    I love your blog so I’m super happy that you don’t intend to quit blogging and I hope the feeling goes away because your blog is brilliant!
    also stranger things is soooooo good! (confession time, I didn’t like Steve in season 1 but I love him now)
    and billy is so hot like yes please.

    Liked by 1 person

  32. i love the poems and the snippets!! They SLAYYYYY.

    And i totally understand how you feel!!! I got that last year, I felt that everything i did just wasn’t as good as everyone else and that i wasn’t really going anywhere in terms of improvement. I understand wanting to improve, but I think that sometimes blogs have a little bit of a time where there’s not much improvement and it’s important to just power on through that even if it’s really difficult to do so! I hope that you get motivated soon and that you get back into blogging!!

    And!! remember that not every post needs to be 2000% quality ALL THE TIME because there’s no need to stress yourself and it’s okay to have a life too!! Blogging is not everything and it’s okay to not want to blog all the time! But i hope that you feel more comfortable with your blogging soon ❤

    Liked by 1 person

    1. UHM THANK YOU IM VERY HAPPY YOU LIKED THE SNIPPETS!

      awww u i love your blog so much. i feel the exact same way, you summed it up perfectly. im going to take a mini hiatus and will rturn soon with cookies and love. and yessss, i feel my standards for my blog posts are too high and deffo wanna change that. thank you lu ❤ your words and comments mean the world.

      Liked by 1 person

  33. Maybe you should take a break from posting. Read other blogs and comment there. Or stop doing even that for a while. I think that if you find blogging exhausting maybe you should change something. Post frequency, your style…. Why not trying a new blog subject??? Or being yourself. You say that having a different point of view is so hard. This is true, but trying to pretend always is hard too.
    Good luck, my happy pixel!! 🙂

    Liked by 1 person

    1. thank you. i will be taking a small break but doing some blogging stuff in the mean while so not completely gone. i think i’ll definitely stick with books and writing as my blog topic though and maybe changing something else will help? thansk you!!!

      Like

  35. ISLA! NO! Please don’t leave! I love your blog! You make me laugh so much! Please stay and I hope that you continue to stay motivated and post. I really couldn’t care less if your posts were not as good quality as your normal ones, your personality is just way too indiviual and important for that. I would love to have a friend like you in real life.

    Liked by 1 person

  38. i was feeling similar before and i took a nice, long, unplanned hiatus (im still on blog vacation) and i feel so much better. i hope these feelings go away sweet child but im LOVING your writing so dont stop that kay, kay

    take care of yourself bby :*

    Liked by 1 person

  39. you’re honestly such a talented writer, keep up the gr9 work & don’t let anyone tell you otherwise. *heart eyes*

    don’t be afraid to take a break!! I literally just disappeared from the blogosphere for four months & it felt pretty great. weird, but also great. though I’ll definitely miss seeing your posts in my feed (and your quality writing!), always always make sure to take care of yourself because WE ALL LOVES YOU. chin up, my friend. currently sending you all the virtual hugs <3333

    Liked by 1 person

  41. AW IM SO SORRY!!! =((( I totally get what you mean though, where everyone around you is moving forward and your just frozen where you are. I hope it gets better though and that you keep blogging, I do love your blog <3. I understand you may not be wanting to do this right now but I just wanted to let you know that I have nominated you for the Sunshine Blogger Award. Don't feel pressured to do it though, just letting you know it's here =) ❤ https://lifeputsimple77.wordpress.com/2018/01/21/sunshine-blogger-award-2/

    Liked by 1 person

      1. Of course Ilsa! I hope things start getting better for you and that you feel more enthusiastic about blogging again! 💕💕😘😘 Just remember we’re all here for you and totally understand the situation you are in ❤❤❤

        Liked by 1 person

  43. hi ilsa! i hope everything and you, especially, will feel/be better soon! it’s okay to brain-dump or just let it all out here, it’s your blog anyway 🙂 i think we all are ever been in a rut, when i feel this way i just took a step away and read, but not blogging. just read/move on with your life because when you are ready to come back, your blog and your readers will always be there ❤

    Liked by 1 person

    1. HI TASYA!!!!! thank you so much this post helped a lot and comments like these boosted me even more so thank you. im glad everyone is so understanding and sympathetic here it means a lot to me. i will be taking a small hiatus ❤

      Like

  44. We love you, Ilsa! I really appreciate your honesty. Getting caught up in the hype of trying to “be successful” is exhausting and sometimes it takes someone just stepping out and saying no to remind us all why we are here.
    I don’t read a hundred books every year, but that doesn’t mean I’m not a reader. I don’t write a novel every few months, but that doesn’t mean I’m not a writer. I don’t have a hundred followers, but that doesn’t mean I’m not a blogger.
    It’s okay to be discouraged. It’s okay to be exhausted. We all feel that way sometimes, even mega-book bloggers who read and write like maniacs. We are all human. We all need to breathe.
    Sometimes I forget about who I really am and I start to assign my personal value to the number of words I write or the quality of my blog posts or the amount of books I can consume in a month. Nothing could be further from the truth.
    Whether or not any of us chooses to keep blogging doesn’t determine who we are. I think that ultimately the point of blogging is to express ourselves and encourage each other. Not impress each other. Sometimes it’s easy to forget that.
    Thank you so much for sharing, and also your snippets are beautiful! It’s refreshing to read something real.

    Liked by 2 people

    1. AHDKSJGSHKFSDJFGSDJFHFJDSHGJDSFHgDSHGDSJGJSDGHFjhdsGfjhdG IM NOT CRYING OF COURSE I’M NOT. This is one of the sweetest and most awesome comments of ever so thank you for that I AM FOREVER GRATEFUL FOR YOUR EXISTENCE (and blog. i love it)

      and te thing about readers and writers and bloggers IS SO TRUE. It’s not the amount but your love for a particular thing so i deifnitely need to focus on my PASSIOn for blogging rather than stats and numbers.

      ahhhh this comment is wordly so nicely and i just can’t get over how right you are. i will now eat your advice hahah.

      im sooo glad you liked the snippets and im gonna screesnshot this comment BECAUSE I LOVE IT SO MUCH ❤ ❤ ❤

      Liked by 1 person

  45. I love your blog ilsa, its honestly one of some of the blogs that i try to read ALL the posts of. Take as long as a break as you like and come back happy ❤
    ALso?? Those!Snippets!And!pOems!! MY HEART OHMYGOd

    Liked by 1 person

  46. aw i completely understand this! this is why i stepped away from blogging for months. I was tired and had no time and felt like I HAD to blog in order to keep my stats up and I wasn’t doing it because I loved it anymore. But taking time away really helped me fall back in love with reading, and with that with blogging. Maybe take a little hiatus and evaluate if blogging is something you want to do right now. I’ll miss you if you go but the whole blogging community will support whatever choice you make. Much love ❤️

    Liked by 1 person

    1. OMIGOSH SYDNEY *squeals* *flails* *dies* *Comes back to life* I missed you so incredibly much but Im glad you had a break and are back YOU AWESOME BLOGGER!! I definitely relate to the stats thing so hopefully my small break will do me good! Thank you so much for your kind words, I’m taking them all to heart. Thank youuuu ❤ ❤

      Liked by 1 person

  47. Ah, virtual hugs, dear. Life sounds so heavy and hard right now. Don’t let the hard days win, please. I totally understand if you need to step back from blogging.
    Starting a youtube vlog might be better. Just don’t let yourself get weighed down. Nothing is worth losing your happiness. if it doesn’t bring you joy, don’t pour yourself into it.

    More hugs and much love.

    Like

  48. I know the feeling :/ I was in the same place last summer and it sucked so much. I’m sorry you feel that way 💖 your voice is valuable!

    What I’d say you can do is take an indefinite hiatus and then see if you miss it, then you can come back to it. Or take the pressure off of it. Post when you feel like it or have something you’re excited about. Not just because “you have to” post. I would be lying if i said stats don’t matter, because when mine started dwindling it only made me feel worse, so yeah i think stats are important to keep the motivation levels up.

    Bottom line, step away, see how you feel and go from there. Sending you good vibes 💖

    Liked by 1 person

    1. FADWA HSJGFDJSFGJDSFHGDJSGF I AM LITERALLY FANGIRLING YOU ARE COMMENTING ON MY BLOG??!?! I lowkey worship you on twitter lmao.

      I’m definitely tkaing a small hiatus or just seeing where I go to be honest. Posting when I have ideas and taking breaks when I need them and thank youuu. I think stats can be motivating or depressing and i hate that some peope don’t acknowledge that??

      ahhh omg i love ur advice thank youuuuu ❤

      Like

      1. AAAAAH OMG 💖💖💖 I’ve been meaning to do it for so long but I’ve been the WORST at visiting other blogs. Hopefully you’ll see more of me here from now on hahaha.

        Yeah, i think it’s meant to be encouraging but when everyone is hiding how they really feel about stats, you think you’re the only one feeling down and it kind of makes it worse.

        You’re welcome, i hope it works 💖💖

        Liked by 1 person

  49. I AM SO SORRY FOR BEING EXTRA SUPER LATE TO COMMENTING ON THIS POST. I have been so stressed out and busy lately. 😝

    But I definitely feel you! I took a hiatus in November, and ever since then, my stats have nit been what they used to be, and it’s just disappointing, especially since I felt I had finally reached a sweet spot when it came to my stats before I took a hiatus. But I recently have finally rekindled my love for blogging again, and I’m so excited for the upcoming months and what they hold in terms of blog posts. I know it’s going to be a lot of hard work building it all back up again, but it’s worth a shot! 😄 I hope you take the time you need on your hiatus, and I can’t wait for you to come back! ❤️

    Liked by 1 person

    1. ITS FINE I RARELY EVEN GET TIME TO COMMENT ON YOUR BLOG SO WHEN YOU COMMENT ON MINE I *FLAIL* and i hope you de-stress soon (?) (why i am so bad with words. AND I CALL MYSELF A WRITER)

      😦 I’m sorry your stats haven’t been as great I STILL LOVE YOUR BLOG and i hope after my smol hiatus my stats wont be worse. I’m glad you are passionate about blogging again and Im excited for your future posts too! I ALWAYS LOVE YOUR DISCUSSION POSTS SO MUCH AAGHAAGAHAGA YOU A GENIUS!! I think you can do it and get back to high-stats-mikeala (even tho ur awesome with high stats or low) THANK YOU FOR THIS SWEET COMMENT DISCUSSION QUEEN

      Liked by 2 people

  50. When my co-blogger and I started out, I think we got eight views a day the first year. Low stats happen, so don’t feel bad about them! Take time away if you need to. It’s all right whether you decide to continue again or not. Your life comes first. 🙂

    Like

  51. Oohhh I get this. Blogging shouldn’t be something that stresses you out at all! Right now I’m very inspired to blog, but I also have heaps of time, which makes a difference. Here’s some ideas that I think would help me in your situation.
    a)Take a hiatus. Say ‘during this weak/month/whatever’ I won’t go on my blog, or check stats. Maybe write posts if you’re feeling inspired, but otherwise just take a break to recharge your blogging tank. It’s unrealistic to expect yourself to be full of inspiration and quality content all the time.
    b) Start another blog/ change the style of your blog a bit. I wanted to write more about my life and non-bookish opinions, so I started a second blog. I don’t have a posting schedule or worry about stats. I post what I want, when I want/have something to say, and just enjoy the writing posts rather than the promoting/community/commenting aspect.
    c) Follow new people to get inspired, and if there’s blogs you dislike or aren’t so interested in, don’t follow them and don’t feel guilty.
    d) Tell yourself you won’t check your stats constantly. Perhaps say ‘I’ll check them once a day at this time’ or just avoid them altogether if you can.
    e) Don’t feel bad if you want to leave; that’s okay! Don’t let this stress you out because we all have slumps!
    PS I loved your snippets, Ilsa!

    Liked by 1 person

  55. Ilsa I’m so sad to hear this, but I think all of us bloggers can say WE’VE BEEN THERE!

    I’m slowly, but surely coming out from the rock I was hiding under FOR MONTHS to creep myself back into the blogosphere hahaaha

    I certainly had NO motivation to blog especially since I couldn’t think of any original discussion topics to write, which I know are the most popular posts for book blogs. I mean after awhile, are there any original topics left to discuss…? How many Top Ten Tuesday’s or Blog Awards can one post before annoying your followers with “generic” content?

    I’d hate to see you go, but if BookTube is where your hearts lays I will follow you there!!! ❤ ❤ ❤

    Liked by 1 person

  59. Hello there Ilsa! I don’t exactly know how I found you (Maybe thru Lia at Lost in a Story?), but I want you to know that I can relate! I’ve been very unmotivated, in writing and in other areas of my life. I also feel like I’m rapidly moving backwards and sideways while everyone else is moving forward; I’m kinda just riding this tide and seeing where it takes me. I could say more but I don’t wanna be a downer and I’m trying to be optimistic!!
    Anyways, here’s an ear if you ever want to talk, and feel free to check out my website with my co-author! We try to post weekly, short stories and poems 🙂
    Bye now, all the best, and someone understands!!
    -Little Lion, STSI |Many Stories Two Authors One Website |

    Liked by 1 person

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