The best breaks are the unexpected ones, especially when they are needed.
Sometimes breaks help you see what is important.
Sometimes breaks allow you to miss something.
Sometimes breaks let you focus on other areas.
Sometimes breaks show you things that you need to stop doing.
Sometimes breaks show you things that you are missing out on.
I had an unexpected break from blogging recently. It came due to a storm of reasons (only one to be named). Honestly, I wasn't sure I was going to come back. It seemed like it was this big weight on my "to-do" list that yielded no results. It felt like something I was working so hard on, but was stalled out. The pressure to make it "better" and "bigger" to have a "pintrest worthy picture" in every post. Honestly, it was getting to me, and I didn't even realize it. It was growing to be a burden, something I had to constantly figure out, and make more time for. Something that was a dread not a joy.
It wasn't until I left my computer at my in-laws over Christmas Vacation, and I was unable to actually write, that the pressure was taken off. At first it was glorious, to not have this burden. I spent the extra time on projects around the house, more time with my kids, free of the burden. Then I began to miss it, I wanted it back.
I have blogged in some form since 2004. I started on livejournal, moved to xanga and then eventually to blogger. I have dabbled in wordpress, but I'm not quite ready to make that jump. I love sharing my life with words. Having a platform to let people know what is going on in my life, encourage others, and to share the things I love. I in no way shape or form, wish to give up blogging.
What I am going to do, is choose to...
...free myself of the disappointment, when my traffic slows down.
...write from my heart, share things I love and invest in the blogging community.
...not compare myself to other blogs, people, pictures or writing styles.
Long story short, I had a needed break to put things into perspective, as well as focus on some other area's of my life and help me to remember much of what I posted last October. At that point I was writing specifically about my home, not my life. It totally applies to both.
My unexpected break has allowed me to see blogging as a "get to" again instead of feeling like I must.
Have you ever stepped away from something for a time and it helped you get some perspective? Perspective is so important.
