As most of you probably know (from social media) I spent this last weekend in Atlanta at the Haven Conference. It was an amazing weekend, filled with hugs, laughter, camaraderie and passion. Passion for our profession (Yes, blogging is a profession…I can’t believe I just said that!) and passion for our readers. I had an amazing time but it was exhausting… very little sleep leading up to it and not a whole lot while I was there.
The one thing I noticed was NO one and NONE of the sessions talked about burnout. It can happen to the best of us, can’t it?!? Even though no one was coming out and saying it, I left most sessions feeling like I needed to stop what I was doing. I am burned out. My creativity is fading and I need a break.
The one thing I struggle with is comparison. I try desperately NOT to compare myself and my blog to others, but I’m human…it’s part of our nature, whether we mean to or not. I often get caught up in a whirl wind of keeping up with everyone else…and let me tell you that is the most exhausting and unfulfilling place to be.
I’ve thought for about a year now, that I should take a break but I just couldn’t fathom the idea of letting go of my blog for even a short period of time. BUT I have finally come to terms with the fact that it’s time for a break. I need to put this passion of mine on hold for just a little while and rejuvenate. I need to step back and get back to the WHY. I need to remember why I started doing this in the first place. I need to find that passion again. Without passion I will just be mediocre at best and boring at worst.
[bctt tweet=”Without passion I will just be mediocre at best and boring at worst.”]
It’s time for me to let go and let GOD take over. I think he’s been nudging me for a while to just trust his plan for my blog. I’m not sure what that is at the moment, and I think that fear has been holding me back. I don’t feel like I’m a great writer so I struggle writing anything personal, but I know that somehow my passion for home decor and DIY is where I’m supposed to be.
So with all that said, I wanted to let you know that there won’t be any new blog posts from me for a little while. I’m going to take off the rest of July and the first part of August. It will give me some time to catch up on some things and take a little breather. I’ll still be active on social media and I’d love to stay connected with you.
I don’t think I say it enough, but I am SO grateful for each and every one of you. YOU are why I started this journey in the first place. I want my blog to be a place you look forward to coming to and place where you feel appreciated. I also want you to learn something or be inspired!! I look forward to what the future holds for this little dream I had 5 years ago of sharing my passion!!
xoxo,
Angela
Angela! I am SO proud of you! I know taking a break is incredible hard for you – especially after blogging for 5 years. (!!) Take the well deserved break and enjoy some peace. I’m sure time away from all the “noise” will be so helpful as you try to listen what God has planned next for you (and Unexpected Elegance). Hopefully you’ll come back rejuvenated and overflowing with creative ideas! I know I easily get caught up in the comparison game, but I need to tell you that you are AWESOME! I’m so thankful for you and love your blogging style and perspective. You’re such a genuine, creative and beautiful person. Don’t let yourself ever believe otherwise.
Thanks, Sara…this break is partly due to your pushing me!! I so appreciate our friendship!!
Oh sweet friend I wish you knew just how very much I understand and relate to what you shared! There definitely needs to be a ‘Blogging Burnout’ session at the conferences (maybe you could teach it next year! lol) and we all need to be more real about the struggle. I’ve been cutting way back this summer and it has felt so good to just refocus and refresh. It’s incredibly frightening when you are running your own business to take some time off but SOOOOO important! Enjoy it and know that I am praying for you. <3
Vanessa, THANK you for your encouragement throughout the years. I truly appreciate you, friend!! 🙂
Such a powerful post. I am sure this was such a hard thing to do. I enjoy reading everything you write. I will keep you in my prayers!
Crystal thank you SO much! 🙂
You know, I don’t even know your personally, but I see your smiling face pop up on my facebook page with something else inspirational or creative and I am ALWAYS glad to see it. You have even replied to some of my comments, which just seems like a rarity. I kind of feel like I know you because you do respond. I understand your need to take a breather . . . just don’t stay away too long because I am certain there are many others that love to see your posts every single day! You are so very talented and I know that God will show you exactly how He wants you to use those talents! I have never actually gotten on the blog, I just get facebook posts from you and I definitely look forward to seeing what you have to share next, every. single. day.
Thanks for all you share!
Karen, thank you so much for your encouragement!! It means so much to me to know that I’m making (even a small) difference!!
Hugs,
Angela
Oh, Blogland, what a confusing little world you can be!
Since having my children, who I care for full-time at home, I only post every few weeks or so – just when I have completed a new project or have something interesting enough to share. I’m not sure who made up the rule that blogs need to be updated every day or so. Clearly I completely ignore that standard! Of course, frequent blogging does help with traffic, and readership and blah, blah, blah, though there’s more to blogging (and life) than that.
It works for me at the moment. I concentrate on original projects and high-quality content and still get good traffic and my readership is growing. Although I do long to blog more frequently and struggle at times with the thought of squandered opportunities and that un-avoidable pent-up creative tension, I know that once my children are a little older my time will come.
Perhaps you could consider simply paring things back? Taking your time and blogging only when you really feel like it. Whatever you decide I hope you return refreshed.
Kristine
Thanks for the encouragement, Kristine! I have slowly cut back over the years but I haven’t ever told myself that I’m not going to write for an extended period of time. It’s been SO NICE to take a break!! 🙂
Angela, Angela, Angela, Take a break! LOL You deserve it and need it…we all get to that point in life and thank God some of us realize it. I think it’s awesome you care so much about letting readers and such down…shows what a fine person you are. So …..Refresh yourself because we really Don’t want you to retire! Love your blog and you are real which I think most of us appreciate really. Take care hun and come back when you are ready. As they say “Take your time but hurry back”! LOL
Kim, I have really taken a break…and haven’t checked my comments in a while!! 🙂 Thanks you so much for your kind words! I feel refreshed and can’t wait to get back at it now!
I’m very proud of you and admire your courage to follow that leading. Time out is very important and I pray that you do come back refreshed and renewed. Enjoy these next few weeks!
Sharon,
Thank you!! I have really enjoyed the time but now I’m ready to go again! 🙂
It’s your silent; but ever present reader again. Angela, I am so happy that you are taking this time to step back to refresh and remember the why. I know that for many times when I asked God to take the drivers seat; one the one hand I’d say; yes drive and then when something I wasn’t expecting to happen happened I’d ask him “Why??” with the next breath. Guess what; this time I am not asking him “Why”!! Just a tad bit of when I finally learned to let go; even for a bit or to something I needed to but felt strongly about. I hope that you take enough time for yourself and know that your readers support you and won’t quite just because you take a badly needed time out!
Christine, thank you SO much!! It has been a blessing to have some time off. I am feeling so refreshed and have a new excitement…God has even opened some doors for me. 🙂 I’m looking forward to jumping back in with both feet!
You are such a darling with a sweet spirit, very talanted and creative. You always give me such inspiration. Enjoy your time away, God Bless ❤
Kimberly, thank you so much!! 🙂 It’s been nice having a break but I think I’m ready to come back!
When I was about your age I was furloughed from my “very important job”.
I didn’t die- I blossomed-
Learned to re- do furniture, became a master gardener, studied Chinese cooking and had time to think about what I really wanted.
Three years later I returned to my old job-new attitude and new direction.
Because of that, when my eventual real “retirement” came about I was ready.
My husband and I relocated to a new home, started a business and realized a lot of our personal dreams.
Time to be Quiet and Think-That is the biggest gift I can think of.
Congratulations on your decision and Good Luck!t
Gloria, thank you so much for your encouragement. It has been great being able to take a break and I have had time to reflect. This time has helped so much and now I’m ready to come back with more excitement and creativity!
God will bless this time. I have struggled with letting go of activities — good, needed things that should be done. Finally, God used a sickness to get the message to me. I cancelled my participation in a Bible study I was starting. I’m letting go of a big church job I started doing because no one else was doing it. I was stressed out, I wasn’t doing things for my husband that I should be doing, my home was a mess not an oasis in this crazy world. I’m getting things done at home and spending time with my husband. It will be a continual process but, most of all through this, I want to listen to God and find out what He wants me to do. I pray that you’ll find that, too.
Sue, I understand how hard it is to let go of things but in the long run it has always been worth it, right…especially when we listen to God’s prompting. This break has been so great for me. Less stress and more time with my family, and now I’m ready to come back. Thank you for your kind words and I hope you will continue to find peace with slowing down. 🙂