To be honest, I’ve been seeing it coming for a while now… I thought I was able to control it and finish my ARC pile on time, but it seems like last week the bomb finally imploded. Because… *insert Jaws theme here* I think I’m now officially in a blogging and maybe even a reading slump. 😣
Let’s talk about ARCs first. Advanced Review Copies; the dream of every bookworm and aspiring bookblogger right? It’s a true honor to be able to receive one of those and I was always stoked whenever I was offered one. But… Things have slowly grown out of control ever since I signed up for Netgalley last year. While it on one hand has been one of the most positive experiences during my time as a blogger and has helped me introduce my blog to social media and reach a bigger audience, it also has a darker side. 100% my fault, but I’ve learned the hard way (like many others I’m suspecting) that it’s VERY hard to resist all those pretty titles and request buttons and things can spin out of control quickly. Don’t get me wrong, I would never change or give up my Netgalley experience, but I do feel I need to change my own habits urgently. Why? Let’s just say I have earned the shiny 100 NG reviews badge already and it has been only a year since I signed up… And more concretely, out of the 120 books I’ve read so far a whopping 75% were ARCs. As much as I’ve enjoyed reading most of them and quite a few made it to my favorites list, it also means I had to neglect my other books and those poor titles have been piling up and gathering dust ever since. Again, don’t get me wrong, I love my ARCs, but lately I’m having the feeling it has become a fulltime job keeping up with them and it has taken the fun out of reading. Conclusion: I’m suffering from an ARC overload.
Now I wonder: what to do about it? Put those ARCs on hold and just read my own titles in my own pace? What about the upcoming deadlines? Should I compromise? Answer: I really don’t know right now. But I do know I need to do SOMETHING before it’s too late.
And that’s where the second part comes in: the blogging slump. This is mostly related to the previously mentioned ARC overload and the fact that I feel blogging has become more of a job instead of a fun hobby. It has taken me a lot of willpower and the help of the magical existence of scheduling posts and weekly memes to keep up the new posts on my blog… Because if I have to be honest I have been having mixed feelings about blogging for a while now. Trust me, it isn’t the blogging community; love you all! ❤ But somehow I’m not having as much fun with it all as before. Too much ARC pressure? Should I slow down with social media? Stop posting every day? Make some drastic changes? Take a break? I’m not sure. But again I’m feeling the need to do SOMETHING, because I realised during the weekend (in which I barely had time to read let alone blog) that I have been neglecting my personal life to keep up with my blog.
So I’m reaching out to all of you with the questions: has this ever happened to you before? And what did you do to improve things and make blogging work for you? I’m getting pretty desperate here! 😅
This has happened to me a few times and is currently happening to me now. I’ve been feeling like this towards blogging and social media lately. I think one thing that has really helped me is to take a break and only post when I feel like it. I occasionally get in the mood to write a blog post, or post a photo on Instagram. Feels a lot better to do those things when you want to do them and not because you feel like you have to. Especially since this is a hobby… when it starts feeling like work with no payoff then it’s time to take a step back and not worry so much about posting daily or on a schedule. Same thing kind of goes with ARCs. When I first started with NetGalley a few years ago, I went nuts requesting books and often finding myself overwhelmed. Reading those ARCs started feeling like a job and I started to hate reading them because I felt like I HAD to. I still have a tendency to go on a request spree but I’ve been trying to be better about it and to space them out so I still have time to read other books on my TBR. Those are just some of the things that kind of help me out during slumps. Hopefully you will find what works for you! 🙂
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Thanks that is great advice! I’m definitely going to try and slow down with the social media, not force myself to write posts (especially reviews) when I don’t feel like it and hopefully control my NG addiction better… Hopefully things will get better for you soon as well! 🙂
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Oh yes. I’m currently in a reading slump and am spending my days watching TV shows. I do get how blogging can be too much sometimes – the pressure and other stuff can get to you.
Do what you think is best for you even if it means cutting some posts out..
I went crazy with ARCs and now have to read more than 10 books – some are physical copies but I still have to get it together and read them.
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The only reason I haven’t been doing the same is that we’ve yet to get Netflix and our videoplayer is broken right now. xD I have 12 NG ARCs pending right now and only plan to read the most urgent ones and then read my own books in August even though I might miss a deadline or two. Hopefully you’ll be able to get over your reading slump soon! 🙂
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I have not signed up for ARCs for this very reason- I already can barely keep up my life in addition to reading/blogging, so I choose not to add guilt into the equation. But there have been times I am flat out jealous when I see posts about amazing ARCs….
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I can totally relate to that because that was where I stood last year… Being able to receive ARCs definitely has two sides and while I love receiving them, it’s also very important to be able to control yourself. 😉
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I know exactly how you feel, because I’ve been going through this same thing with the blogging slump for the last 1.5 years it seems like and more so this year. I love the blogging community, but blogging has just been kind of a drag for me lately and hasn’t made me happy as much as it used to. I mean I still love my blog, followers, and talking about books but lately blogging has felt like a chore and even keeping up with my bookstagram too.
I’ve started to just take a break from it and that helps or just posting when I feel like posting. If I don’t want to post that day or week, then I don’t post. I do it when I feel like it and it’s a lot better that way. I don’t feel as much pressure to keep up with my blog regularly or like I HAVE to post something. I just do it when I want to and it’s good. A break from blogging is definitely not a bad thing, especially if you’re neglecting other things in your life that need attention too. Taking a break or only posting when you want to post will also help you to start being able to do more of the other things in your life as well.
I used to go crazy with requesting ARCs on Netgalley and had to stop for awhile. If I do request, I try to do it with ones that I absolutely want to read. I try to be way more picky with what I request. I also try to request books that have different release dates and not so many within the same time frame/month. I’ll request one or two for a particular month, that way I can still read my own books too. So instead of drowning in ARCs that are releasing all at the same time, it’s a more manageable number that gives me room to read my own books too.
I hope you get out of your reading/blogging slumps and ARC overload! You’re definitely not at all alone in this.
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Thanks for all the advice! I was actually thinking of you when I was writing this post… It sucks to be feeling this way about blogging and especially for such a long time; I’m definitely going to try and be more relaxed about blogging and see how things go. Definitely need to get a grip and stop requesting ARCs (or at least only those of known authors or books I’m REALLY excited about) and I might take a blogging vacation some time soon as well… This weekend I hardly had time to blog and while I first felt guilty, it was also a relief to be able to fully focus on other things.
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I think we all have probably been there. When any book you want is just a click away, you click! Next thing you know you have 25 ARC books but your favorite author just released one too. I also only pick so many for each month so I have a break plus reviews sitting in my folder ready to post. That leaves me some free space for research and personal reading. Let us know how it goes! You are not alone!
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Yeah I guess most people wouldn’t be able to resist the temptation… I really feel signing up for Netgalley should come with a user guide and/or warnings to not request too many titles at once. I’m currently at 12 pending Netgalley titles and hoping to bring it back down to a maximum of 5 at any time (or if it’s more only if they have a faraway publish date). Fingers crossed it will work!
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Sounds like a smart plan!
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What everyone else has said is very wise! The stress/negativity comes from the feeling you *have* to read something, review, post that review everywhere etc. etc. If you take a break and only read, review/post when you feel like it, it should take some of the stress off.
I’ve got my Netgalley shelf practically empty now because the stress had got too much for me. From now on I’ll only be requesting things I’m extremely excited about reading. And soon I hope to be able to go back to things which have been on my TBR for years! yay!
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I’m definitely go with that advice and and try to limit my amount of Netgalley ARCs to only those titles I’m really excited about… I have 12 pending left to read and once I get through most of them I’m going to try and not request more. I’m probably not going to make some deadlines, but in August I’m going to read a few of my own books no matter what (Our Dark Duet, Red Rising, The Ask And The Answer… I’m looking at you! 😉 ) Good to hear you will be able to start reading your own books as well soon! 😀
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All the books on your own list are very good! Well, I’m assuming Our Dark Duet is good… it’s one on my TBR I meant to read when it was released but was still in a slump! I’m sure it’s good though, she hasn’t let me down yet!
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It’s one of the reasons I haven’t picked it up yet but I can’t wait to dive in! I love Schwab’s book and I’ve yet to see a negative review on Our Dark Duet.
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When I begin to feel overwhelmed I take a week off from blogging and social media and found it really helps. I also do very few blog tours now and read the books I want to read. Like you I have a huge pile of ARC and I try to read one and then one for myself it may take longer to get through the ARC but it’s far less stressful and hopefully it will help you to enjoy your reading again. Read because you want to not because you HAVE to it’s then that it all becomes a chore. X
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Thanks for the tips! It does start to feel like a chore right now… The added stress is one of the reasons I’ve stayed away from blog tours so far and I’m definitely going to try and limit my ARCs and limit my social media use for a while; if that doesn’t help I’ll probably take a blogging vacation as well. I’m looking forward to finally start reading my own books again!
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This happened to me around February/March, when I realized I had about 6 weeks where 3-5 ARCs would be sue each week. I slogged through and managed to finish it all, but I’ve become a lot more careful about what I request on Netgalley. I consult my calender and make sure a week is free before I add an ARC. I’ve also been trying to get myself ahead enough that I can alternate an ARC with a book I’ve been wanting to read for me, which seems to help.
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Ouch and I thought I had it bad with 8-10 pending ARCs a month! Kuddos to you for finish them all on time, that is truly impressive. I’m definitely going to stick with the advice to request less and consult my ARC schedule before adding new titles… Keeping it limited to a maximum of 5 ARCs per month should do the trick I guess.
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Luckily I haven’t experienced this yet but I’d listen to the wise advice already offered. Take a break rather than give up completely. It will all be there when you come back. Ban yourself from NetGalley (the crack cocaine of book bloggers 😁) until you get to where you feel happy with current ARCs. Indulge yourself by reading some books from your shelf or even rereading some old favourites. Rekindle your love of books and THEN go back to blogging. That’s what (I hope) I’d do should I hit the blogging slump…
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Haha I had to laugh at the crack cocaine comment!! xD I’m definitely going to slow down and at least limit my social media time for now… If that doesn’t work I’ll go on a blogging vacation. 😉 I have 12 pending ARCs right now and will probably read the most urgent once and then indulge myself with mostly reading my own titles in August. And maybe rereading a Harry Potter book or two… Because those always make me seem to feel better. 😉 Fingers crossed you will never reach this point!
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I went of NetGalley for a while when I did same as you and most book bloggers I suspect, and was click happy with my requests. I got overwhelmed and really thought about deleting my account. I’ve stopped getting emails from them which has really helped and I’ve downloaded my first new ARC since April, this the weekend. I also did a buddy read of an ARC with another book blogger which really helped. Otherwise I’m taking my time now and reading what I want, when I want and will get to the ARCs when I’m ready. I don’t do blog tours as I don’t want the pressure and I only belong to one FB group – Bog About It. As I was saying to another blogger today there needs to be some sort of test to get a NetGalley account or maybe a limit on how much you can request in the beginning!
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I’m definitely going to try and distance myself from Netgalley a little! I’m at 12 pending ARCs right now (although a few are recently due in September or later) and I really want to bring that amount below five and keep it that way. The added stress is one of the reasons I’ve never even tried joining blog tours and my FB page adventure lasted exactly a week. xD I agree there should be at least some sort of warning, guide or request limit for new NG users!
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I’ve been through the same thing with both blogging and the ARCs. Taking a break from the blog would really help with the stress, since it’s nice to just take a break from so much blogging.
What I would do to make blogging fun again is to not focus on scheduling your posts, but just do the posts whenever you feel like it. It’s more fun to just make a post whenever you want to then to be obligated to post a particular post on a specific day, since I personally just make posts on my blog whenever I feel like it. Also, you don’t have to be on the social media every day. Feel free to check out your social media whenever you want to.
As for the ARCs, I’m also struggling with trying to keep up with my ARCs, especially with NetGalley, since I made the mistake of requesting so many ARCs the first time I’ve joined NetGalley and I’m still way behind on the ARCs. What I’m trying to do with the ARCs is that I try to request only one or two books a month and try to catch up with my older ARCs so that way I won’t have such a huge ARC pile myself. Also, you can take a break from ARCs and start reading the books you really wanted to read.
That’s my advice and I hope things go well for you!
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Thanks for the advice! I’m definitely going to limit my social media use for a while and try to stay away from Netgalley… I luckily don’t have any old request, but still have 12 pending titles with upcoming deadlines I should get to. I’ve decided to read the most urgent ones and then dedicate August to my own titles… I can’t wait to return to all those poor neglected books! Hopefully this will give me a boost and make me feel good about the whole blogging thing again. (That and I’ve decided to not rush writing my reviews and only write them whenever I feel like writing… The memes I’ll stick with for now since they are quick and fun anyway).
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Yvo, I am not a blogger, just a reader, but we have those same Net Galley/read-for-review obligations that easily get out of hand. I went around a year and a half without reading any of my own personal choices and decided that had to stop. So now I keep my ARCs to no more than 5 or 6. If a publishing date will put pressure on me, no matter how much I want the book, I pass on it. I also have to absolutely covet a book before I push that little green button. That assures me that my Net Galley books are going to be as tempting to me as my personal list books. Plus I will alternate MY books with the NG/R4R books. I can’t tell you what a HUGE difference that makes! By all means use August totally for your books, but then consider alternating your “must reads” with your personal books thereafter. That may well help you maintain joy for longer periods. And where’s the rule about blogging 7 or even 5 days a week? If you feel like blogging once a week, will the sky fall down? NO! Will you feel a ton better? YES! Will your followers still follow you? YES, why wouldn’t we??
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Thank you so much for this lovely comment! ❤ I'm definitely going to try and slow down and not feel forced to blog or post every day for a while… Although my number one priority will be getting my Netgalley shelves under control and read more of my own books. I'm at 12 pending titles right now, but even though I might miss a few deadlines I'm going to try and read mostly my own books next month. I have quite a few titles I've been dying to read for a long time, so hopefully those will give me back my 'mojo'. 😉
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Every so often I “decide” to quit blogging, but obviously I never do. I think what really helped with my attitude towards my blog is when I stopped trying so hard to grow it. I don’t request as many ARCs, I only post when I want to and if that means once a week, it’s once a week. I don’t really go out of my way on social media to be honest. This is a hobby and it’s supposed to be fun, so I think putting too much pressure on ourselves to post everyday and get good stats takes the fun away. I still get bummed sometimes when I don’t get as many views as I wish I did, but I enjoy my blog a lot more now than I used to.
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I’m definitely going to try and slow down for a while…Hopefully things will improve by just restricting my social media use and reducing my ARCs, but if that doesn’t work I’ll guess I’ll take a blogging vacation. I don’t think I will ever be able to quite completely because I just love the community too much. (Plus, it’s the only way I can talk books since IRL I don’t know people who actually like to read. Shocking, I know haha.)
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There is so much great advice here! I don’t really think I can add anything that hasn’t been said. I think it is a really great first step just to put it out there and letting everyone know that you are getting burnt out. I totally agree with the advice to take a little time off and if you want to read do and if don’t then don’t. I would also say if you want to take a blogging step back try just posting the blog posts you enjoy the most. Keep it fun! I have been loving our book chats and would hate to see you go Yvonne. BUT in the end, you do what’s right for you! xx
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Don’t worry, I’ll never be able to quit completely! 😉 But I’m definitely going to slow things down and not stress about getting x books read per week or writing reviews because I HAVE to. I’ll be sticking with the weekly memes since they are fun and a great way to communicate and talk about books, and take things from there… Hopefully I’ll find the right things to read so I’ll get out of my slump soon. 🙂
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Sounds like a great plan! I’m looking forward to hearing about the book(s) that will pull you out!
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I’ve been on NetGalley for about 18 months or so now but I’ve only reviewed about 30 books in that time and even that was enough to stress me out over deadlines (on top of uni, other blogging, other offline commitments…). I don’t know if anyone else has already said this, but maybe announce an indefinite blog hiatus. That way, the pressure is off and you can come back refreshed on your own time.
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Wow I’m impressed you were able to control yourself and not request more in that time… I’m definitely going to slow things down and try taking a break from Netgalley (or at least only request those titles I REALLY want to read of already known authors). Fingers crossed cutting down on social media time and reading more of my own books will help, if not I’ll take a blogging vacation for sure. 😉
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Been there too, that blogging slump and that overwelming feeling.. although I don’t know if anybody really noticed because I think I was able to hide it ;-). The stress of it all paralysed me though and I found it difficult to write a review with so much pressure. My solution was: I cut down on blog tours (still do a few but no reviews), I only have one Netgalley pending now and I’m very careful to request more.. there really is less pressure, I even had my first own read the past week in a year and a half :-). My own vice at the moment is physical copies, when I see them on Twitter, I want them. In my humble opinion, a blog hiatus might help you in the short term but I think it’s important to think long term. It’s the same as a diet, that is great and spectacular right away but in the long term you just have to change eating habits to make it last.
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I’ve been feeling it for a while before I broke down and wrote this post… It kind of feels good to just put it all out there and I actually feel better already haha. Just having only one NG pending must feel wonderful! I’m definitely going to try and reach the same goal soon, although I’m going to indulge myself and read a few of my own books first. And I think that if I would be able to actually get physical copies, things would have blown up loooong ago already haha. You’re so right comparing it to a diet by the way! It’s one of the reasons I don’t want any drastic changes since they don’t help long term… For now it will be mostly cutting down on social media time, writing reviews whenever I like, not focus on pending deadlines and read my own books; fingers crossed it will be enough. 😉
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It’ll make a big difference already I think. Keeping my fingers crossed for you 😉
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❤
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I’ve been in a blogging slump pretty much the entire past school year, which is why I was pretty much on a hiatus with a few posts here and there. Even when I did have the time and energy to blog, I didn’t want to. It just wasn’t fun for me anymore, so I only blogged when I felt like it for a while, focused on my personal life, did other fun stuff and now I’m completely in love with blogging again 🙂 Don’t pressure yourself to blog, it’s supposed to be fun after all! Hope you’ll get out of it soon ❤️
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I can’t even imagine how you find time to blog while going to uni in the first place haha; I remember my UU time pretty much ment zero free time! xD I’m definitely going to focus on the fun and try not to stress out and force myself to write those reviews and meet those deadlines…
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Haha I don’t even know how I found time to blog here and there last school year with how busy and stressed I was haha.
I hope that will work for you and that blogging will soon be fun for you again! ❤
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First of all, my darling, I am sending you a hug. A massive *can’t breathe* squeezing so hard I’m gonna break your ribs.
I totally understand your feelings. I remember having the same issue. As far as ARCs are concerned, as you don’t do blog tours, it’s okay to step away. No one is gonna come after you because you’ve missed a deadline. If the thought of jumping on your own TBR makes you happy, DO IT!!! Those ARCs will always be there. I have a backlog right now but I have decided it’s okay. I made a mistake by putting too much on my plate, I apologize (in my head) to the publishers, and I will get to them, but when I feel like it. ARCs are a privilege but sometimes we want to help so many books, we can’t save them all on time 🙂 #booksaviors
Regarding blogging, I think pushing yourself with the ARCs and the reviews etc, has led to a little burnout. It happened to me, and now I know I must take breaks. I usually take a week off, just read or completely different things, and come back fresh and happy. I’m feeling the pressure of blogging right now because it takes me two hours to visit all my favorite/usual blogs and I won’t be able to do that much longer, but that’s another issue 🙂
I am thinking about closing my blog to review requests, and try to make my way through all the books I have on the waiting list, and hope my reviews don’t lose their quality, as it tends to happen when I’m nervous. So I understand where you are now.
We’ll always be there, so don’t worry, take a step down if you need to. Remember, this is a fun place, you shouldn’t feel compelled to do anything, my sweet darling ❤
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Aww thank you so much my lovely book twin! ❤ Actually writing down my feelings has already been some sort of therapy for me, but it's good to hear a lot of people have similar feelings. I'm a perfectionist and I hate not meeting deadlines; it actually stresses me out even more than me forcing myself to read and write those reviews in time. BUT. I'm going to kick myself and start forcing myself to slow down and start reading those books I've been wanting to read for ages… I'm definitely going to steal your weekly breaks as well. 😉 And I have the same issue with feeling pressure to visit all those favorite blogs and it taking up so much time! I'd hate not keeping up with them, but I might have to step away from the whole visiting/commenting everywhere thing for a little while to decompress. Although I'm still hoping slowing things down and start reading my own books will help me get through it already. 😉
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It’s amazing how alike we are!! 🙂 I’ve noticed letting go of my feelings through a blog post is very therapeutic, that’s why I’ve created the Blog Therapy thing, I always feel better once I’ve shared my problem with people I know will understand. I’m trying not to be a perfectionist any more as a part of my therapy, and gosh, this is so hard!!!! xD I think it’ll never really go away but at least I’m trying to let go, haha! You really need to take care of yourself and your needs to avoid becoming jaded with blogging, I’d hate to lose you here! I’ve made a list of top 10/20 blogs I absolutely want to visit, and I squeeze everyone else only if I have the time (can you guess if you’re on my list? :p) We can’t possibly spend hours visiting and commenting, it’s too much. It’s a shame but like everything else, it comes down to choices and priorities. It’s nice to have a big blogging hop if you feel like it, but we also have so much going on aside. I’m with you 100% and I support you my friend ❤
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Thank you for so much love my friend! ❤ And it's kind of creepy how alike we are haha. 😉 ❤ Your therapy posts actually inspired me to just let it all out and get my feelings out there… I guess it worked and I never thought I was going to get so many responses and support in general. One of the reasons I love LOVE the community and could never stay away for long. ❤ I have a list of must-visit and also one of priority blogs as well! You will probably be able to guess if you're on it… 😉 I hate not being able to communicate with everyone, but like you said it's just too much time and I need to think of myself as well even though I love blog hopping. Had a good day today and even finished two reviews, so fingers crossed this is a sign it will only be a short term slump feeling.
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I have reached this point before and shared on my blog too about being overwhelmed by blogging and reading. Most of the time, it came from too much pressure and the ARCs can do that to you. As most people said, slowing down helps. In my case, breaks from blogging helped and with the ARCs, I just started reviewing at my own pace though I did stop requesting too many books on NetGalley so the pressure did go away. Perhaps slow down for a while, reduce daily posts and skip a day or two and see how it all works out. Try out a NetGalley ban too.
All the best Yvo. It shall be well ❤
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Thank you for the comment! ❤ I've decided to slow down things a bit and definitely start worrying less about Netgalley deadlines and read more of my own titles until I feel comfortable with the pressure again… I still have 12 pending NG ARCs, but I decided to just read the most urgent ones and then take a break even if it means missing deadlines.
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I used to be so jealous of the NetGalley access! But it sounds like a mixed blessing – there’s no way I would be able to resist all those titles!
I don’t think there are any bloggers that haven’t felt this in some way. I’m struggling too. A lot has to do with the feeling of HAVE TO vs WANT TO. The external pressures take away some of the joy that inspired blogging in the first place. Other people’s expectations are always harder to deal with. I don’t think that you need to post content every day either!
Taking some time for you, to re-evaluate, isn’t a bad idea at all. It’ll give you back some perspective and hopefully bring back some of the joy blogging used to give you. Plus, you know we will all still be here when you come back.
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Joining Netgalley has definitely two sides… I’m still happy I signed up, but I definitely need to control myself better and find a better balance between my own books and the ARCs I request. I’m keeping my fingers crossed slowing down and start reading my own books will be enough to get me out of my slump… If not I’ll probably take a small break.
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I was warned about Netgalley when I started blogging and make sure I never have more than 5 books on my shelf. But then I signed up for a bajillion blog tours and got in trouble that way. I try to alternate between a book I have to read for a tour or Netgalley and a book I bought myself and really want to read. I am now trying to get through a backlog before I go on holiday and will be thinking about ways to find a better balance.
I’d leave the pressure of the ARC’s for what it is. Pick up a book you’ve been meaning to read for ages. Find your love of reading again. You don’t have to review every single book you read either. This is all supposed to be a fun hobby. Always remember that. Take a break or whatever feels right for you. I’m not going anywhere. ❤️😘
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I was somewhat warned before or the situation would have been even worse haha. I’m impressed with your s(h)elfcontrol to only have a maximum of 5 titles! I’m going to keep fingers crossed I’ll be able to reach this as well before the end of the year… Alternating sounds like a good idea as well; I’m definitely going to try and read more of my own books until I’m out of my slump. It will be hard to ignore those upcoming deadlines, but I’ve decided August will be mostly for my own books. 😉 And thank you my dear! ❤
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Ha, Netgalley… I haven’t been on it for about 2 months now… I just didn’t want to dig myself under a pile of arcs. it’s been great to take things a bit more slowly… so, defo… just take your time with things and the enjoyment will come back, don’t pressure yourself… I haven’t posted for 5 days now… because I have nothing read/finished to write a review for 😀 and I decided I won’t post some other stuff just for the sake of posting… it’s great to be able to just step away from the blog and publish stuff as I feel like it… sure, there are some scheduled dates but I am super good at controlling the flow and not putting myself under pressure… 😀
I hope you’ll see the light at the end of the tunnel soon and find a new structure to your reading/blogging… 🙂 Definitely don’t leave us though! Don’t you dare! 😀
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Haha I could never leave completely; I would miss the community way too much! Love you guys. ❤ I'm definitely taking things more slowly and in August I'm going to try and concentrate on reading mostly my own books and not worry about deadlines and reading x books per week. I also decided to limit my social media use until I feel less stressed out… Although I have to say that just writing this post and reading all these lovely comments have already made me feel a lot better about things. 😀
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Yes! Sometimes a little pick me up is all a blogger needs! 🙂 I am glad you’re going to be taking it easy for a while… Have fun with the books you’ve chosen for yourself for August! 🙂 ❤
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I’ve just put together my August TBR and I can’t wait to read them. 😀
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Exciting! 🙂 Enjoy 🙂
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Oh no! I am sorry you have hit a bit of a rough patch. In my opinion, it sounds like you definitely need to take a step back from blogging and ARCs. If it feels like a chore and you are no longer enjoying it, then it is time for a break! Personally I would go on a short hiatus and only read book that you want to read, not have to (ARCs), then reassess & see how you feel. I try to mix my reading month up and do half ARCs and the other half books I want to read, this way I am still putting a dent in my ARC TBR, while still reading other types of books. Hang in there my friend!
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Thank you for your comment! ❤ I've been slowing things down and it is definitely helping… It feels so good to be able to read my own books again! I'm trying to still read some ARCs so I can bring the number down enough to read mostly my own books before the end of this year. 😉
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I think maybe you need a little break! And I have that NG addiction as well! It is so hard …trying to resist!
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I’ve been taking things slower during the last month and things are better now although not perfect. I’m actually taking a break from social media and limiting my access for a little while so I can get back on track… And the request button is SO hard to resist! But I managed to get my pending ARC number down to seven (six when I finish my current read), so I’m definitely going to try and keep it that way. 😉
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That sounds wonderful Yvo! I love blogging, but I think we can all get overwhelmed with everything at times!
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Very true!
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