We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Elena Fedorchenko Tsukanova a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.
Hi Elena, thank you for joining us today and sharing your experiences and acquired wisdom with us. Burnout is a huge topic these days and so we’d love to kick things off by discussing your thoughts on overcoming or avoiding burnout
As a lifestyle blogger on Instagram, burnout is a real concern given the constant pressure to create content and stay relevant. To avoid burnout, I’ve learned to set realistic goals for myself. It’s so important not to overcommit and to break down larger projects into smaller, more manageable tasks. Prioritizing my workload has also been crucial – focusing on high-priority tasks first helps keep things in perspective.
I make it a point to take regular breaks. Stepping away from my work allows me to recharge and come back with a fresh perspective. Boundaries are key too; establishing clear lines between work and personal life ensures I have time for self-care and relaxation.
I’ve also become comfortable with delegating tasks when necessary. It’s impossible to do everything on my own, and acknowledging that has been a game-changer. Self-care is a big part of my routine – getting enough sleep, eating well, and engaging in activities that bring me joy are non-negotiable.
Reflecting on my priorities is an ongoing process. The dynamic nature of social media means I need to adapt and reevaluate what’s most important to me and my audience regularly. It’s about finding that balance between staying authentic and not succumbing to the constant pressure for new content.
Overall, open communication with my audience and fellow bloggers has been incredibly supportive. We share our experiences and tips, creating a community that understands the challenges we all face. It’s crucial to remember that burnout is a real issue, but with the right strategies, it’s possible to navigate the ever-evolving landscape of social media without compromising mental well-being.
Thanks, so before we move on maybe you can share a bit more about yourself?
Hi, my name is Elena, and I’m a lifestyle blogger on Instagram as @elena_ft_usa.
Originally, I’m from Moscow. Then, with my family, we moved to Italy, and after that, we relocated here to the USA. We’ve been living here for over seven years now, and we absolutely love this country with all our hearts
My professional career has always been connected with interior design. I was the co-founder of an interior design company here in the US, but at the moment, I have completely shifted my focus to my personal blog on Instagram. It’s something that has always inspired me, something I’ve always wanted to do, and for over a year now, I have been professionally managing my blog.
In my Instagram, I showcase my daily life and try to make it as ready for my followers to shop and enjoy as possible. This means that every post of mine has clickable links to all my favorite items, outfits or places I visit. Additionally, I’ve started using TikTok and Pinterest. I’m thrilled that I can monetize my work—it’s not just a hobby; it’s a full-time professional job. Currently, I have several paid collaborations with different brands, and I am proud of and pleased with them.
Among the new products, I am developing two of my own digital products. The first one is a Dallas Guide to Instagrammable places, cafes, restaurants, coffee shops and other places with a very convenient search and easy access, they also will be marked on Google maps. It’s going to be an awesome product, and I’ll share more about it once it’s ready.
The second product is about growing on Instagram for beginner bloggers. Over the past year, I’ve gained a lot of knowledge, completed numerous courses, and I have a lot to share and teach to aspiring bloggers. This will be a unique product that I’ll develop myself, taking into account my own experience because every blogger’s journey is unique. I’ll talk specifically about my path, not just replicate other bloggers’ courses, as no one repeats the same path. Sharing my experiences and achievements during this time may help someone else to start earning money through social media platforms.
I’m also organizing events. The first one was on September last year. It was for a Russian-speaking female audience, aimed at motivating and developing personal and professional growth for individuals who have moved to the United States and are looking to start something new. This year I’m planning to organize an event for both men and women. All information will be on my website elenaftusa.com. Stay tuned!
Follow me on my Instagram @elena_ft_usa and let’s enjoy this life together!
Looking back, what do you think were the three qualities, skills, or areas of knowledge that were most impactful in your journey? What advice do you have for folks who are early in their journey in terms of how they can best develop or improve on these?
I would say these three areas are very important:
1. Creativity:
Quality: Continuous generation of fresh and engaging content.
Skill: Photography, graphic design, and storytelling for innovative content.
2. Social Media Mastery:
Quality: Building a strong and consistent online brand.
Skill: Expertise in platforms, algorithm understanding, and trend utilization.
3. Adaptability and Tech-Savviness:
Quality: Ability to adapt to evolving digital landscapes.
Skill: Staying updated on platform changes, analytics, and embracing new tools.
Okay, so before we go we always love to ask if you are looking for folks to partner or collaborate with?
Yes, absolutely! In fact I’m creating our bloggers community right now. We meet once a week to discuss any social media or content creation topics, new trends, new apps, new algorithms, to help each other with content ideas or just to lift up each other.
Also I would love to collaborate with other bloggers/influencers! We will discuss the conditions that is good for both of us.
I would love to connect with any one who are on the same page – love creating content and monetize in through Instagram or other platforms.
Please DM me here instagram.com/elena_ft_usa or email me [email protected]. Just let me know that you are a Creator too!
Contact Info:
- Website: http://elenaftusa.com
- Instagram: http://instagram.com/elena_ft_usa
- Facebook: http://facebook.com/elenaftusa/
- Linkedin: http://linkedin.com/in/elena-fedorchenko-tsukanova-46581781/?locale=en_US
- Twitter: http://twitter.com/elena_ft_usa
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCbZ4WMMWCbhaMP0bqq8VYBA
- Other: Pinterest http://pinterest.com/elena_ft_usa LTK http://shopltk.com/elena_ft_usa
Image Credits
Bella Nguyen (only two pictures where I’m wearing light jeans and dark blue denim top).