So, scratch everything I said in my last blog post.
I’m not ready to just completely give up on book blogging yet.
There are a lot of reasons for my decisions (both to go and stay and some other decisions I haven’t even discussed publicly yet) of late and I do want to talk with you all about what’s currently going on in my life, but I’m just a little overwhelmed right now. Things are changing and I’m adjusting (trying to, anyway) and it’s just taking more time than I thought it would.
I spend a lot of time feeling guilty because so many wonderful publishers have approved me for ARCs I’ve requested, but I haven’t be able to read and review them with any kind of consistency whatsoever. Yesterday on NetGalley I got my first ever rejection from a publisher – and I highly suspect that the reason was because of my lack of activity on my blog and my sad ratio of reviews to requests on NetGalley itself. This really broke my heart even though it was kind of inevitable.
I also spend a lot of time feeling inadequate because there are so many other bloggers who are OWNING this thing – and some of them have even busier lives than I do! I’ve just felt like a huge failure lately. I’ve read books but haven’t reviewed them, I’ve interviewed authors but haven’t put together the posts, etc. Fail fail fail. ALL THE FAIL. And do we even need to talk about physical ARCs? I think not. I’m sure most of you can guess how I’ve felt about that often touchy subject.
I told myself I would stop focusing on these things. That I would just do what I could, when I could. But more and more it seemed like I NEVER COULD. I ended up spiraling into a depression that I’ve been dealing with for weeks now. I’m still there. I’m still in that place. And it’s dark.
But I don’t want to just give up.
I have to accept that, right now, I can’t keep up with the Joneses. Right now, there’s too much going on for me to give my blog or my blogging friends the love and attention they truly deserve. But I don’t have to accept defeat. So I’m going to do my best, even if that’s not much sometimes. No more requesting ARCs, no more accepting review requests, no more stretching myself so thin that I can’t deliver. I want to get caught up on reviews and get back into the swing of things. So you may not see many frivolous posts for a while…but eventually I’ll find the balance and Twilight Sleep will flourish again.
Thank you to everyone who has offered me kind words, encouragement, and support. YOU ARE MY ROCK. *clings to you* I love you all, and I hope you’ll continue to be patient with me while I work through this choppy spot in my life.
P.S. – Have you seen my new layout? Isn’t it GORGEOUS??? Huge thanks to the lovely Nancy of Tumbling Books and Nancy’s Blog Designs for making Twilight Sleep pretty!
More from my site
Updates: BTH Readathon, ARC August, and more!
The End of Hosting at Twilight Sleep
I hate hiatuses (even though they’re sometimes necessary).
These Are Troubling Times In the Kingdom…
I Never Win Anything: An Ode to Rafflecopter Giveaways (and why I’m changing the way they work)
Blog Life (you know, like Thug Life, but not): How Do You Handle Your Personal Life vs. Your Blog Life?
Hi. My name is Shannon and I like books. And photography. And video games. I use this space to talk about books and particpate in badassery. You can read a bit more about my awesomeness and how Twilight Sleep came to be (the name has absolutely NOTHING to do with the Twilight series by Stephenie Meyer, contrary to popular belief) on the about page. :]
19 Comments
Alyssa Susanna (The Eater of Books!)
August 16, 2013 at 9:51 pm*high fives*
You go, girl! Grow at your own pace. Blogging is not a competition! I’m glad you’re doing things your way :)
Alyssa @ The Eater of Books!
Shannon
August 16, 2013 at 11:38 pm*high fives*
Thanks, Alyssa! No donuts this time??
Alyssa Susanna (The Eater of Books!)
August 17, 2013 at 9:24 amOh, um, ah, I ate them all… ;)
*runs away*
*comes back with a dozen glazed donuts*
*offers as peace offering*
:D
Mandy (@ireadindie)
August 16, 2013 at 9:53 pmJust keep blogging…just keep blogging *sings in my best Dory voice* I had to quit taking any new reviews from new authors. just so I can get caught up on the reviews I have scheduled. I have barely scratched the surface on July’s reviews and here in is Aug. but hang in there. you will find time.
Shannon
August 16, 2013 at 11:41 pmHahaha, Mandy what’s really hilarious is that I actually have been singing the Dory song to myself for the past 24 hours! Sad, I know, lol. Seems like a lot of bloggers are a little pressed for time right now. I’m sure you’ll get back in the groove of things once you get settled from the move. :] Thanks for the encouragement!
Charlotte @ Gypsy Reviews
August 16, 2013 at 10:04 pmYAY!!! So glad you’re staying <3 Loving the new design! Very different from what you usually see around book blogs ;D
Shannon
August 16, 2013 at 11:42 pmThank you Charlotte! Glad you like the design – I love different, so it’s nice to hear others appreciate it too!
scottreadsit
August 16, 2013 at 10:38 pmYay! You’re back, we missed you already! Lovin’ the new blog design btw!
-Scott Reads It
Shannon
August 16, 2013 at 11:43 pmAww, you’re too sweet! Haha, thank you!
Kelley
August 16, 2013 at 11:48 pm:) :) :)
Welcome back! I’m glad you decided to stay. Learning to try to balance all of the many things we want to do is always a challenge. I can’t even tell you how many friends of mine have basically taken on ALL THE THINGS and then crashed-and-burned because it was just too much to keep up with. I think it’s just the down side of being an inspired creative person, you know?
Anyway. Your new layout is lovely! Nancy did an awesome job. I’ll be looking forward to whatever you feel like posting, whenever you feel like posting it. <3
Leigh (LittleBookStar)
August 17, 2013 at 1:55 amI’m glad you’re back :) I really love the new blog design btw. I totally understand about the ARCs. I’m going through the same thing; I’ve requested so many arcs back then and I still haven’t read them :( I feel so bad for the publishers because I should’ve read & reviewed them long ago. I hope we both catch up on our books real soon!
Leigh
Little Book Star
Leanne
August 17, 2013 at 4:56 amYay, Shannon! :D I’m so glad you decided to stay! I saw your leaving post but hadn’t commented on it because I didn’t really want to join my voice in with the chorus that would say love you miss you please come back soon, or in any way have it feel like a guilt trip or something. I didn’t know how to express my sad without making you feel worse about leaving. :( But now I don’t have to, cause you’re back!
And your layout is awesome! It’s such a perfect color scheme and I love love love the girl reading in the hammock out by the water. It looks like a scene you would find here where I live! But not with me, I’ve never been able to conquer those hammocks.
I understand the busy life and I am headed there myself starting next week – probably not as busy as you, but enough so that I don’t think I will be able to blog every day anymore. I don’t know how I feel about that yet other than I’ll just do what I can.
Erin Albert Books
August 17, 2013 at 10:22 pmGlad you are staying! ((happy dance))
Love the new look!!
Meredith @ Pandora’s Books
August 18, 2013 at 12:06 amI’m so, so glad you decided to stay *hugs* Just take it slow, move at your own pace, and do what’s fun for you. Enjoy yourself! And remember, there are a lot of people who love and support you, and we’re here if you need anything! <333
Also, LOVE the new design! I was reading your blog on my phone, so I'm just now seeing it and it's so gorgeous!
Samantha Davies
August 19, 2013 at 1:38 pmWell I am glad you are not quitting and if you need to cut back you totally should! They way I see it we do this cause we want to and it’s fun! If it’s stressing you out then your losing the fun of it and that’s no good. I hope you start to feel better soon and can lighten your load! I have been super busy this summer too so I know how you feel. Just keep your chin up! :)
Wendy
August 20, 2013 at 4:39 pmYAY you’re not leaving us!!!! And also, your blog is GORGEOUS and I love it! =) Take things slow, as you need to! I totally get the stress and the busy. =\ But I’m just glad you’re still here! =)
Jessi (Geo) (@geobobspinelli)
August 20, 2013 at 8:05 pmYay! *glomps Shannon* Glad you decided to stay. And yes, the new design is purdy. I hope I can make something that will compare….
Michelle @ In Libris Veritas
August 21, 2013 at 12:58 pmI’m definitely glad you decided to stay! I love the new layout also!
Octavia
August 26, 2013 at 1:20 pmI knew you couldn’t stay away from me! Err..I mean welcome back! ;)