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  1. Burnt Out

    Wednesday, September 3, 2014

    I hate to admit it, but I think the time has come to declare what I’ve known in my heart for a long while: I am burnt out on blogging.

    This is definitely how I feel lately. But I don’t even drink beer. What the hell have I done?
    As I recently wrote in my ECAMP article Edmonton’s WWII Heroines, one parallel that I find between modern days and the 1940s is the expectation for women to do it all - housework, a steady job, volunteerism, social events - with a smile. (How’s that for a shameless plug that’s still relevant?)

    There’s no denying that I’ve taken a step back from this blog lately. But I think what I have been in denial about is that I want to blog, I just don’t have the time to do it.

    But I don’t want to blog. At least, not right now.

    Accurate representation of how I look whenever I think about blogging.

    I have a Google Drive folder filled with half-started blog posts that have gone nowhere. I used to see blogging as a release, another creative outlet, but now it’s this nagging thing in the back of my mind that I procrastinate doing. And I think that the moment you stop enjoying something - particularly something that’s a hobby - you should step back from it before you make yourself hate it.

    I honestly feel like I don’t have much to contribute to the blogging community anymore. Don’t get me wrong: I still love dressing vintage, reading other blogs, sewing, knitting and chatting with other vintage lovers online, but I no longer feel like Retro Reporter is the right outlet for expressing myself. 

    While there are still blog posts I’m interested in doing - particularly post-wedding - I just don’t have the energy for the daily, weekly, or even monthly posts when I frankly have other things I’d rather do. And as someone who spends all day on the computer, on social media, frankly it’s become the last thing I want to do when I get home, even if it’s a completely different topic.


    For the next little while, I am going to put Retro Reporter, and my blog Facebook page, on hiatus. I may come back after my wedding. I may not. I may be gone for a long time and then decide to pick things back up in a few months or years.

    I am still going to be on Instagram and may even get back into Twitter. If you’re interested in keeping touch, feel free to add me on Facebook (just let me know if you’re coming from my blog, because I won’t just add random strangers).

  2. 7 comments:

    1. Lisa said...

      Blogging is time consuming. There is no denying it.

      Enjoy your hiatus - no matter how long it lasts. Instagram is the new blog anyway. ;)

      Lisa.

    2. It happens to everyone at sometimes! I do hope you come back to Retro Reporter once you've had a break. And best wishes for a wonderful wedding! :D

    3. Mack Male said...

      All the best! Glad I can still follow you on Instagram!

    4. Thank you for speaking so earnestly and laying your cards on the table, so to speak. Blogging, especially if you do it often (and write long/time consuming posts) takes up a massive amount of time - it's a full-time job unto itself and one that, as the years go, I see way more people realizing they just can't squeeze into their lives anymore. That's okay. You had a fun, made new friends, and probably gained a lot from blogging over the years. There is nothing wrong at all with knowing when to bow out gracefully and focus on other areas of your life (be it for a while or permanently).

      I support your decision and again, really applaud you for speaking so candidly about this (so often bloggers who opt to stop updating their sites just seem to vanish into thin air without a word about their departure).

      Tons of understanding & best wishes for all that lies ahead for you, my dear friend!
      ♥ Jessica

    5. I am at the same place with my blog. I will miss reading your post and hope you come back but I also totally understand.

    6. Anonymous said...

      Your blog will be missed but I'm still glad I can follow your fun on Instagram. Best of luck with focusing on other parts of your life (I truly understand that feeling especially while planning a wedding) and maybe we will see your words appear back here some day. Best of luck with the wedding :)

      Liz

    7. Kat Neumann said...

      Laurie, I came a cross your blog. Do you do any speaking on topics such women and the effects of WW11, Women Pioneers etc?

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