Why do you keep doing it (for those who write detailed reviews)

First of all - I t hink I'm burnt out and that may be part of why I'm writing this.

I spent yesterday photographing 10 lingerie items...just spent an hour editing the photos and still have to take pictures of me IN the item even though I've already worn each item and have my thoughts on how it wears, etc.

Then I need to crop those photos...and write the actual review (I'm trying to edit my template too).

As I look at all this and think, "I'm getting 50 points for this review which I'm spending X amount of time on - when I could be editing a review for 250-400 points and spend 10% of X time on that.." it gets discouraging.

I'm not saying we should get more points for our reviews.

But why go to the trouble - time and time again - to try and write a detailed review?

What keeps you coming back? What keeps you from getting burnt out? (I'm guessing you wouldn't try to work on 10 reviews at once - and I submitted something like 6 reviews 2 days ago).

So what motivates you and keeps you doing a great job? less

I suffered a bit of burn out about the beginning of Christmas. For me it isn't about the point difference it is about expecting too much of myself and spreading myself so thin there was nothing left to give. Everything suffered until I went away for a few days and re-thought my whole purpose. I do not run the site, the site can and will do just fine if I take a break, I am here to HAVE FUN, not wear myself out on unrealistic ideals.

This is what helped me, I am back but on a time budget now!!!
Do other style reviews, not just one type (example- vibrator instead of lingerie, bath products instead of vibrators, mix it up), remember who you are helping, take a break - this is voluntary, DO NOT overwhelm yourself with more reviews than you can handle at one time. Practice self delegation - give yourself limits and stick to it, your work will not be any good for yourself or to help others if your heart isn't in it.

Care about you and enjoy some you time!! less

So I'm not the only one who got discouraged by the threads?

Phew. Ok...I feel better now.

I think part of my frustration is I have a piece here that I want to review so much - but to really give good details -I have something like 10 or 12 pictures that I want to show (maybe not that many - maybe that's how many pictures it would be total).

It's this bow mesh corset and I have pictures of the cups and how they're done and the whole piece and then with measurements between the bonings, etc. I took pictures of the bottom ruffle and the bows - you get the idea. I mean - its a $70+ outfit that I felt folks would really want to see the quality of ...

I don't know - I guess I'll just work on these as I can over this week and try to get them out.

And I will try to tell myself that I'm not the only one who goes through this. less

First of all - I t hink I'm burnt out and that may be part of why I'm writing this.

I spent yesterday photographing 10 lingerie items...just spent an hour editing the photos and still have to take pictures of me IN the item even though I've already worn each item and have my thoughts on how it wears, etc.

Then I need to crop those photos...and write the actual review (I'm trying to edit my template too).

As I look at all this and think, "I'm getting 50 points for this review which I'm spending X amount of time on - when I could be editing a review for 250-400 points and spend 10% of X time on that.." it gets discouraging.

I'm not saying we should get more points for our reviews.

But why go to the trouble - time and time again - to try and write a detailed review?

What keeps you coming back? What keeps you from getting burnt out? (I'm guessing you wouldn't try to work on 10 reviews at once - and I submitted something like 6 reviews 2 days ago).

So what motivates you and keeps you doing a great job? less

Back when I started writing reviews we only got one product a month and there were no points and no gift cards.

I did it then because it was fun, because I liked getting new toys, because I felt it was a fair trade -- my words in exchange for the product -- and because it was really awesome finding out my words made a difference for some people, helped them out.

I continued to do it for the same reasons.

I stopped writing reviews when I realized I was bored and didn't need another single thing, that nothing was all that thrilling anymore and I had tried just about everything I wanted to try. I stopped because I was getting stressed out and feeling like I had to maintain my rank and had to write reviews for every little thing.

I haven't written a review in a year. My rank has dropped from a 9.7/9.8 to around seven. I went from the top reviewer to... hell, I don't even know anymore.

My advice is to slow down. Do it because it's fun. You don't have to write a review on every product you buy and you certainly don't have to write them under any sort of time limit. Relax. Enjoy the products. Write when you want to and when you have time. Don't bring stress on yourself, don't turn a fun hobby into something that is making you stressed and upset.

It's not a competition and it's not a race so put those photos in a folder and come back to them when you're feeling inspired! less