I feel like I've written more of these posts than review posts lately, and I haven't even written many of them. But I once again want to get back into my blogging and that includes a bit on an update about what's been going on with me.
About a year ago I started getting really overwhelmed with work and life. I was sliding into depression and letting everyone down, which was making the depression worse. I was burnt out from working all the time, and reading was part of that burn out. I had to start cutting some things out, so I stopped checking my email and mostly stopped entering Goodreads giveaways. But that wasn't enough.
At the beginning of the year I completely stopped reading. I wanted to want to read, but I just couldn't bring myself to get into any books. Instead I got real good at doom scrolling TikTok to try and decompress when I wasn't at work.
I started going to therapy in July and quickly realized that all of the reasons I had for staying at my job were weak, and staying there was not in my best interested. I spent about two months unemployed, until I was emotionally in a better place. I still had some bad days because our finances were tight with me not working and that made me feel guilty, but I was trying to change careers because I knew I couldn't keep working in food service. I was killing myself for someone else's profits and they didn't even appreciate my sacrifice. On top of that, I needed a job with stable hours that would allow me to be home with my family in the evening and on weekends. I really think that finally being home to cook for my family and spend time with them really helped with the improvement of my emotional state.
About a month ago I got a new job as a receptionist for an engineering firm and so far it's going great. It's a pay cut from the previous job, but offers better benefits. I get an hour break every day with ZERO expectation of having to do anything work related. I get off work on time, and even if there is still work to be done at that point, it's just work for the next day. I can leave five minutes early if everything is done, and not get griped at for it. But best of all, I have the energy to cook supper and do dishes most nights when I get home. And I've had the energy to do other housework on the weekends when I'm off work. So all in all, the career change has been super worth it.
This also means that I should be able to get back into blogging somewhat regularly, at least after I get my house completely sorted out again. Three years of neglect has me halfway to being a candidate for an episode of Hoarders (that's a bit of an exaggeration, but mostly because my husband is a much better housewife than I've ever been). I've been doing a bit of long overdue deep cleaning and organizing and working on getting my books all put back in my office since our bonus daughter moved out, almost a year ago. Once those things are done, I hope I'll feel like I have more time to dedicate to blogging so I can participate in weekly memes again and post more regular reviews. I also have a goal to get my Netgalley feedback percentage up to 25% before the end of the year. I have a plan to accomplish it, but be prepared to see a LOT of short reviews for children's books in the near future.
So that's where I'm at right now. With luck, I'll get consistent at this blogging thing again. But for now, I have kids books to read :) - Katie
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