You may have noticed a distinct lack of blog posts here lately. The truth is, I’ve been finding it very difficult to write. I’ll come in here, login to WordPress and then stare at a blank blog post template for hours. Can you believe, I actually drafted this post over a month ago?
It all started back in February after the second earthquake in Christchurch. We moved away from New Zealand to Darwin, Australia to get away from our munted house and the ongoing trauma of aftershocks. But instead of finding things easier, I found things more difficult. I couldn’t concentrate for long periods. I would find my mind wandering at the slightest distraction. Until as recently as last week, I found myself checking the Geonet site every few hours, just to see the number of aftershocks Christchurch was experiencing and watching as many YouTube vids of the earthquake coverage as I could.
Basically, I think #EQNZ stole my blogging mojo.
Where I was once pumped about blogging and full of energy every day, I now arrived at my desk feeling burnt out and lethargic. Last year I was writing 3 or more blog posts a day for different sites, whereas lately I can hardly pump out 1 post a month. Before I was excited by changes to the search industry and keen to talk about them, whereas now I’m more annoyed by changes because they mean more work for me.
I’m not sure if I’ve been suffering from some sort of post-traumatic stress or if I am actually just burnt out, but it’s been a really tough few months.
Earlier this year I was offered an opportunity to write for the best-known and respected web site in in my field – my own column in fact – focusing on social media, which I love. But I just couldn’t get my act together. I found the idea too challenging. Too daunting. Too exhausting. And I was scared. Scared that my writing wasn’t good enough and terrified that I’d lost my blogging mojo.
Well enough is enough. Screw the earthquakes and the drama. I’m physically out of the disaster zone and it’s time I mentally removed myself as well. It’s time to lose the attitude and take my seat in the big leather blogging chair again. Time to find my mojo and make the effort to blog EVERY day from here on in. I figure with your encouragement and lots of caffeine, I can do this.
I’m back baby!
YAYYYY i have missed your wit, wrath and insights a lot!!! Welcome back and hope you find life in Darwin settles and you begin to feel more like home!
go get em crocodile
Aww, thanks Jo
Hi Kalena: I am one of your students in the SEM program. Just read your post. So glad you are fighting through this! It does sound like post traumatic stress, so please be compassionate with yourself! Sometimes we need time to heal and rejuvenate ourselves. I have had a severe blockage about writing also and haven’t written for 3 months. But you have gone through a major trauma and uprooted everything to make a change, so be patient with yourself. We’ll still be here when you’re ready to continue writing…it WILL come back!
Thanks for your encouragement Terry and hope you find your writing mojo soon too
I missed you. I can always count on an article worth reading. I often say I know about this topic, then I find you just added something I did know about …. Or gave me another idea. You’ll get through this. Have you spoke with others that went through this also?
Thanks Tomy. I have shared with others going through post-earthquake stress, yes. But I will be scheduling some professional counselling sessions to progress the recovery as well. I appreciate your support and concern
Kalena – I can’t even imagine what you have been going through recently but on a personal note its great to have have you back blogging – I’m sure you’ll find your mojo very quickly, keep up the great work – you’ve been missed
Thanks Dave, your support means a great deal