A few of you have asked for an update on how things are going with the new job, so instead of a lame attempt at humor today, that’s what you’re going to get.
I’m still really enjoying the new job a lot—and of course, it’s only been a couple of weeks—but there have been so many times I’ve stopped what I was doing and thought, “I get to this for my job. Holy crap.”
But it’s also a bit exhausting.
Some posts have up to 50 pictures that I need to find, size, source, etc. along with writing the post, formatting it, etc. Seeing as I’m doing 2-5 posts every day, I am just trying to keep my head above water.
This is not a complaint, by the way, but simply a necessary introduction.
Balance
You see, I sometimes struggle with that whole “balance” thing in that my lovely OCD compels me to do ALL THE THINGS right away even though ALL THE THINGS don’t need to be done right away. I see an email or something on my “to-do” list and just want to cross it off, like it’s an itch I need to scratch.
This is great for productivity in that I don’t just shut down my brain or computer when the “traditional” work day is done, but this is not great for everything else in that I don’t just shut down my brain or computer when the “traditional” work day is done.
It’s in part because I’m going to need to reach an insane amount of page views each month, and I have this nagging thought in my head that this isn’t “real” yet, that the emotional rug is going to be pulled out from under me and I’ll be right back to where I was. It just makes me work even harder.
See above–and my overflowing, “throw it there I’ll get to it later” table–for resulting actions.
I trust that it’s going to take some time to build up speed with things there and eventually I’ll let myself exhale. In the meantime, I’m trying to balance everything else because of that whole, “All work and no play” thing, even if the work does feel like play at times.
And when I get overwhelmed, I remember that I am so fortunate to be where I am. The most toxic part of my work environment now is dealing with Comcast when my email goes out–HATE–and the screaming neighbor kids.
Burnout
That’s where we come to this blog.
I’ll still be writing here, but I think I was getting a little burned out on this even before I started this job. It’s not that I don’t enjoy it—I do—but I don’t enjoy what goes along with it.
You can’t just write a post anymore and expect that people will read it. You have to promote it and invest a lot of time and motivation into playing that game—two things that I have in short supply. It’s also the reason I’ve shelved a draft of a third book I had thought about doing. I just hate the promotion side of things.
With my focus shifted, I’ve been really surprised at how I’ve been able to let those things go.
Before I was stressed if I didn’t have a post ready to go all the time, if my Facebook posts were well-received, etc. That sounds ridiculous, but I put such pressure on myself over a hobby, one that I enjoy but one that is that—just a hobby.
It’s actually kind of freeing. I like having to focus on something else and not worrying about that anymore. But again, that obsessive nature has shifted to work now, and I have to moderate it going forward.
But, a day at a time and I plan on kicking some professional ass. When I get inspired to blog, I’ll blog. If I don’t, I won’t and won’t worry about it.
Deal? Deal.
Other Things
With that ridiculous ramble aside—I do promise a normal post next time—I thought I would drop a couple links from 22 Words from this week.
I won’t bore you with all gazillion of them and will share some more at the end of the month–there are some good ones in the works–but here a couple you might enjoy. See you back here in a couple of days.
48 Amazingly Big-hearted Strangers Who Will Restore Your Faith in Humanity
These 30 Hilarious Wedding Photos Never Could Have Been Planned
These Kids Are Too Funny To Be Wrong. Their Parents Must Be So Proud...
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