It started slowly. My search for digital burnout remedies!
Somewhere between writing poetry and Semrush battles, I forgot how to breathe. My last blog post on Poetry By Shalini Samuel was on June 28! The website was silent after that.
I know that sounds dramatic, but I am not exaggerating. I was finishing deadlines, meeting targets, all while quietly crumbling inside. The strange part was that I didn’t even know I was burned out. I kept telling myself I was just “a little tired.” Isn’t that what we do when we are scared to pause?
As a woman working in digital marketing, I had grown used to being constantly available. Always reachable. Always on. There was this silent pressure to respond quickly, post consistently, and perform flawlessly, even when my soul was screaming for rest.
A Content Writer’s Journey to Fight Digital Burnout!
My mornings began with screens instead of sunrise.
My tea breaks turned into endless scrolling.
Books piled up unread. I thought maybe the genre is not what my soul likes now. So I bought a few more. They, too, just sat there bathing in dust.
Poems remain incomplete. The drafts looked at me and wondered why I had ignored them.
I was always online, but becoming more and more disconnected from myself.
Moreover, I felt like a machine made for content. My only job was to create, schedule, and optimize. There was no room left for stillness.
Then one evening, I sat at my laptop after a long day of work. My fingers hovered over the keyboard, but nothing came. I had no idea what to write, and my mind felt dead. My body felt heavy. And for the first time in a while, I just stopped and shut down every gadget. I placed my phone face down and walked to the window.
That moment changed something in me.
I Didn’t Quit. I Just Slowed Down.
To be clear, I didn’t walk away from my career. I still work, write, and manage deadlines. But I made gentle changes. Small habits that helped me feel whole again.
Burnout, I have learned, isn’t weakness or laziness. It’s a sign that you have been away from your inner self for too long.
Writers’ Digital Burnout Remedies: My Way Back to Myself
Here are a few things that helped me come back to life, slowly and softly. They are not grand or fancy, but they were enough to remind me I still had a heartbeat beneath the hustle.
1. Mornings Without Screens
I gave myself the first 30 minutes of the day. No phone. Just water, fresh air, and the rising sun. The silence gave me strength.
2. Tea Without Scrolling
I stopped combining tea with social media. Now I sip slowly, fully present with my thoughts. And I have cheat days too!
3. Walks Without Earphones
Instead of filling my ears with noise, I let the real world in. I listened to my breath, birds, temple bells, and the hum of life.
4. A Screen-Free Evening Each Week
Saturday evenings became sacred. No social media, no emails. Just pen and paper, books, a movie, or time with family. Simple, nourishing moments.
5. Writing Without Pressure
I returned to writing just for myself. Not for results or rankings. Just raw, personal thoughts that didn’t need to be perfect. That was how this journey began, and I wonder why it became mechanical over time.
Guilt Of Being Less Productive!
There were days when I felt guilty for resting. I feel like I should be using my time more effectively or accomplishing more. But that guilt faded each time I chose presence over performance. I reminded myself that healing isn’t a waste of time. It’s an investment.
If You Are Feeling the Same…
If your heart feels heavy and your mind feels loud, don’t push through. Pause. Even if it’s just for a few moments.
You are not your inbox.
You are not your deadlines.
And you are not your successful results, either.
You are a person with feelings, needs, and a story that deserves space to unfold.
What Digital Burnout Taught Me?
Burnout gave me clarity. It peeled away the layers of pressure and brought me back to myself. It reminded me why I write and who I am outside of productivity.
Now, I still show up for my work. But I also show up for myself.
And that, to me, is the real success.
Wrap Up
If you are reading this while juggling tabs and mentally listing out your to-dos, maybe it’s time to pause. Not to escape the digital world, but to remember who you are within it.
You are not here to survive the noise.
You are here to live your truth.
And sometimes, that begins with just breathing.
I also learnt to separate work from poetry and made poetry a part of life! Hope you, too, will find your perfect balance for a peaceful life. Good Luck!
For more tips on fighting burnout by content writers, visit the link. It helped me get back to my life again!
