Everyone always wonders how I juggle everything - a full-time job, full-time masters program, part-time blogging, and the occasional article and presentation. Well - I think it has finally happened! I think I’m burned out. At least I think that’s what I’m feeling.
I still have the drive to do everything and there are a ton of things I want to do and read on my 2 week break between terms - but for some reason nothing is staying in my brain!! I read and then I think - “I should share that on my blog” - and then it goes away - I can’t remember it anymore. I read a chapter and then an hour later I can’t remember what I read. Is this what it feels like to be burned out? Is my brain just refusing to hold any more information?
I have seen a lot of great blog posts and articles that I keep bookmarking to read at a later date - but by then you will all have read about them in other places. I’ll give it another go later today - although tonight I have to scrub my house top to bottom because the realtor is coming to do a final walk through before listing!! Yep, that’s right - add buying and selling a house and moving to the list of things I’ve got to keep up with!
For me, every once in awhile blogging/speaking/writing/work will get overwhelming, and I’ll think “dang. I’m done. It’s over. I’ve got nothing else to say.” And that lasts a week or two… and then something will freak me out/irritate me/amaze me, and I’ll jump right back into the fray.
Do what Michael Stephens suggests, and take breaks for yourself. Health is good.
Find the time to have fun with your husband and Koda. I do not know if I’m as “busy” as you are but a few hours of nothing and soft music with maybe a glass wine tends to do the trick for me.
You are both right - it’s just not something I’m good at doing - taking breaks
I drive my family crazy cause I’ve always been like this - constantly on the go!
Maybe include your del.icio.us links in your feedburner feed? If you splice them in, you may feel a bit less guilt about having to provide commentary on every great resource you come across. A new link and a new direction from a trusted source can be just as valuable to readers, and a little less taxing on you as the blogger.
Just a suggestion, of course…
Well, since I’ve been saying it in print since at least 2001…
You need breaks now and then. They provide perspective.
Sooner or later, not taking breaks catches up with you.
And true breaks mean being totally disconnected for a while.
Steve - I have my del.icio.us links printing to the blog nightly
Walt - I agree - as is obvious from my current state
but now I just have to learn how to actually take a break 
Hey Nicole,
As someone who is in same program as you at Drexel (same class last couple of quarters too!), and working 12 hours a day at my day job, plus trying to have a life (oh by the way…), I can definitely empathize. Take a break. Don’t worry about reading or writing. Work in the garden, walk the dog, go buy furniture, whatever
Heck I sit here at work and sometimes forget what i am supposed to be working on…..
Cheers….Joe
You know - I did some gardening last weekend - I have no idea how people find that relaxing
hehe
You’re not alone. It must be a seasonal thing, because I know that I and a few other bloggers I know are going through the same thing. Take the time you need, we’ll still be here when you come back, all refreshed and read to go.
Hmmm, I think *I’ll* blog this.
I agree with most of the comments above but have some observations.
We can commiserate over lunch tomorrow. I am feeling a bit of the burn myself the last few weeks. I have not blogged much and what I have blogged has not been of substance. I am in the shower and I think of all the things I want to say, then I never have time or energy to post. I generally find that a trip up north cures me as I am forced to go offline and just “be”.
My husband has found the cure! He’s taking me for a spa day next weekend as a bday present - hopefully I’ll come back refreshed and ready to start a new term!!!
Have a great time at the spa! You deserve it with your busy schedule. Besides, I’m sure you know that when you graduate later this year, it will all be worth it.
I’m at Drexel now but I got my undergraduate degree after attending part-time for years. Graduation day was one of the best experiences of my life and now I look upon all of the math classes and science lab sessions quite fondly.