Ironically, it’s taken me forever to write this post because I am in a bigger rut than I first thought.
But hey, I thought I’d turn this rut into a new series on here. Introducing: The problem party, where I lay out my latest life problem and how I intend to/managed to solve it.
Today's problem:
When it comes to my blog and Instagram, I am stuck in a big old rut.
How did this happen?
Leaving Uni, I was full of hope and ideas for this blog because it was supposed to be my main focus. Since leaving, a lot has changed, and I’ve been far busier than expected, yet I still tried to fit everything bit. Now, I’m more than a little drained of creativity.
I love how my blog looks, the content I’m producing, and the effort I’ve been putting in. However, I want everything to be better, and that pressure has left me a little frozen. Hello rut.
What's it affected?
In short, this blog and my Instagram.
It’s not all that notable because even when I’m feeling rut-stuck I still produce content (I mean… You’re reading some of it right now.) However, it’s a lot slower for me, I’m not inspired to do it, and it feels a lot more like a job than usual.
Most annoying thing about it?
I cannot put into words how difficult I’m finding it knowing that I want to completely rework the way I’m doing something (In this case, Instagram) but not being able to put it into action. I can visualise what I want to do in my head, but the world keeps moving and I won’t have the content to do what I want to do for at least another week or so.
I feel strangely helpless in regards to it all, and I’m still having to post content to remain “relevant” and keep up with sponsored posts etc. but I’m not where I want it to be yet.
What to do...
I wish I had a succint or even mostly accessible answer to this, but unfortunately I don’t. I’m counting on one thing to break me out of this rut, and that is the holiday I have coming up.
I don’t know what it is about family holidays, but they have always reset me creatively. I wrote the first three chapters of my novel on a holiday in Spain a few years ago, I get really into art, or some weird new project whenever I go abroad with my family… There’s something about the rest period and the change of location that get my creative juices flowing. Usually, it happens by chance, but this time I’m counting on it so it better not let me down.
Advice for others
In all honesty, I hate giving advice. I’m my own sort of mess and I’m by no means wiser than anybody else, so why should I get all preachy?
However, I wanted to make these posts at least a little more substantial than a grumble about what’s going on in my life. So, I thought I’d include a little advice section at the end about what I think others who are stuck in a rut should do…
If you find yourself stuck in some sort of creative rut or blockage, my biggest recommendation would be to shake things up. You could do this in various ways…
Take a break, allowing yourself some time to brainstorm new ideas and have a breath of fresh air.
Have a change of scenery. Doesn’t have to be a holiday… Could be a trip to some place you’ve never been before, or simply writing/being creative in a different spot in your house.
View your work from an outsiders perspective: What do you like? What would you change? What would you want to see more of?
I don’t know if any of those are massively helpful, but hey – they could be good places to start…
And there you have it, the first in my problem party series! Did you enjoy it? Do you want more of these? I have a lot of problems, so I’m happy to write a bunch of these.
Let me know in the comments!
Lots of love,
Jas xx
I’m stuck in a similar rut! I had hoped summer would be my chance to post lots of exciting content but I have ended up working full time and been too exhausted to do much outwith work. I do agree that a break and a change of scenery can help. I also find writing down absolutely any ideas I have so that I can then go back to them if I ever have a chance to write. I really like the idea of this series as I feel a lot of people can relate!
Yes, writing down ideas can always be helpful! xx
What a fab post, love the concept of the problem party series! I think a lot of people empathise with getting stuck in a rut, I often do when needing motivation for my blog and uni work! I’m just back from a family holiday to France and I agree that I always feel reset and more inspired when I come back. Shaking things up is definitely brilliant advice, thanks for creating this post 🙂 x
Haha thank you, I’m glad the problem party idea is going down well! Holidays are really great to reset things, aren’t they? xx
This is such a great idea for a new series! 🙂 It is so frustrating to feel in a creative rut. I think my biggest issue is trying to find/keep a consistent voice through photos on IG, so it can def be a chore sometimes trying to figure out if the content I’ve shot is even worth posting!
But I really like the advice to think about your content from an outsider’s perspective because sometimes I can def be wrapped in my own little bubble.
Wishing you all the best!
Yeah, it can be so hard! Hope this helped somewhat xx
I am the exact same with family holidays! I always feel so inspired. I take tons of photos, draw and write.
It’s so great isn’t it!
i love this post! i think it’s great that you’re being so honest about this struggle your having. when i graduated college nothing turned out how i really expected it too and that’s always a strange thing to deal with. i definitely think that it’s good to take a break if it’s feeling more like a job than you’d hope it would. i hope you have a great time on your family holiday and that it resets you. just remember to be patient with yourself and remember you’re doing better than you think you are. xx
mich / simplymich.com
Thank you so much! It definitely did!
This sounds like SUCH a tricky situation to be in! Because as a reader of your blog, it really doesn’t come across that you’re stuck in a rut. Which I guess is part of your problem! I hope you figure out a way around this soon – I’d hate for it to get too much and you stop blogging because you’re one of my faves! x
Awww I’m so glad that is doesn’t come across! I definitely wouldn’t stop blogging – I really love it, and it means so much that you consider me one of your favs, because you’ve always been one of mine ❤️
I’ve also been in a rut as of late when it comes to my blog. As a result, I’ve taken a long hiatus in order to give myself time to focus on other things until I felt ready to make a comeback.
I really hope that the hiatus helps!