Burnout SUCKS · 12:24am Jul 21st, 2022
Hey, guys.
So... I haven't updated any of my fics in a pretty long while. Bug in The Mirror is on Hiatus, Rise and Shine didn't get a single update all throughout June, and progress on Little Keys continues to be as slow as ever. And I just want to take a few minutes to address these points.
So, my usual go-to editor has, regrettably, been exceptionally unavailable for quite some time now. He had a bunch of trips he had to go on, and even when he got back earlier this month, it was with the caveat that he had caught COVID. So he hasn't been able to edit my work.
But even putting that hurdle aside, there is also the fact that I just haven't seemingly had the willpower to make myself knuckle down and WRITE. I've tried and made some small progress here and there, but more often than not, I pull up a page and just stare at it for a while before closing it. And when I can finally get the words tumbling out of my fingers, I am not a fan of what I have pumped out. It's lead to all of my writing projects just kind of... petering out. And I don't like it, because I've enjoyed writing for so long.
I think what it boils down to is plain and simple, good old-fashioned burnout. The sensation of doing the same damn thing for too long and just getting sick of it, no matter how much you loved doing it before. I've experienced it before on my YouTube channel several years ago, but that was partly due to depression brought about by a LOT of not-so-great stuff happening in my life. This time, I think I might have just overdone it a little bit.
It's frustrating. I WANT to write, to pump out more words, but I just can't seem to make the words flow. And when the words come, they never seem to look right in front of me.
It's also possible that maybe it's just a remanifestation of my long-dormant ADHD. I dunno. I'll be talking to my doctor about that next time I go in to see her.
I just figured you all deserved an update. I have a fair few stories I'm writing and a fair few people invested in them, and I hate leaving y'all high and dry in silence. With any luck, I'll be able to sort this out. I'll keep you posted.
Thanks for reading my shit all the same.
-Skijarama / Tone Shift
This pretty much hit the nail on the head for me.
As someone who also suffers ADHD, I can pretty much confirm that yeah, it sucks. I myself haven’t really updated since maybe March or something, and I’ve been instead wasting my time writing skits and other blogs while watching YouTube. And I feel bad for leaving my followers (the ones who watch me for my ongoing stories) in the dust for so long.
I know this might not seem like much help, just wanted to make it clear that you’re not alone in this.
As for your own stories? Take your time and don’t push yourself. Your mental health is way more important than our personal enjoyment.
do you remember what Shakespearicles told us all in the authors chat i use to host?
never fight your muse if it tell you no then it is no. it is beats you up about a idea then you bets follow it.
it sounds to me like you Muse is telling you no at this time.
there will be a time when you will just start righting.
till then i will be right hear watching.
I know the feeling. Blessed Gaia, I know the feeling.
I've had the problem of being burnt out on writing, not because I don't want to, but because I have no energy to do it. Finishing up my degree, trying to find a job, writing job applications (jobs in academia/research require a lot of proposals tailored to the position being offered), have left me with little creative energy.
So, I'll just say thank you for what you've given us. I genuinely enjoy what you've given us. So, yea. Thank you.
*joins the 'I know the feeling' crew*
Don't beat yourself up over it. While we would like some updates on your stories, I don't think anyone would want them at the cost of your sanity. (I certainly wouldn't.) Take your time, we can wait
Hey boss, you gotta do what you gotta do. Life happens. I too know the sting of burnout. It's a bad time. In a fit of irony, it's why I follow so many folks on this site to this day, folks like you are my personal cure for it. Maybe you need something similar? A game, book, show or Playlist that helps ease the nonsense knocking about in your skull... Give it a shot. The worst that'll happen is you'll find out exactly what you DON'T like. Lol
All I would request is this:
If you find you are in fact unable to complete the work, let us know how it was meant to end, please. There are so many excellent stories that will never see a proper end. It would be a very sad day indeed to see yours go that same way.
Maybe I can help you pump out your ideas. I have some drafts for my Trials of Sarah series on Quotev. Maybe if we work on them, it’ll help you better pump out your ideas and plots?
It's understandable, and I personally appreciate the openness. Wishing you the best!
Give yourself a rest if you need it. We the readers will wait patiently until you are ready to continue your stories. There's no hurry.
We waited this long we can wait a little longer. There are plenty of other authors to read.