Why I Took A Break From Blogging

*This post contains PR items. Please read the end of the post for more details.


If you hadn't noticed, I took a recent hiatus from blogging and decided to focus on myself. And purely because my blogging brain was knackered and my creative juices stopped flowing.


There is that sense of panic when you first think of taking a break from blogging. There's that fear that you will lose your audience and your readers will forget about you. Yep, I had those same feelings around 10 days ago when I knew I needed to take a blogging break. But surely people would be understanding? Right?

Why I Took A Break From Blogging

When I came to the decision to take a break, I realised that I hadn't really torn myself away from blogging since I started blogging 4 and a half years ago, which is quite surprising and, I feel, kind of stupid of me. I allowed myself to reach a point of total burnout from writing and creating content. I always felt I needed to keep whatever readers and audience I had happy by producing content regularly. That's not how it should be. I should have listened to myself rather than chugging on like Thomas The Tank Engine writing endless blog posts and finding photo inspo on Pinterest.


What this recent break has made me realise is that I need to take a break more regularly, even if it's just a couple of days off during the month. It's important for me to step away when I need to, give my creative juices a refill and for my brain to to reset itself to 'non blogging' mode for the time away.

Why I Took A Break From Blogging

One thing I have learnt in blogging is that I sometimes forget to live my real life. You may be looking at this quite perplexedly, but bear with me. I think my brain has become so 'bloggy' that when I think of ideas or random thoughts, my brain automatically links the thoughts and ideas to blogging and creating content. For example, "There's a balloon in the sky!" - I wonder if I can get a shot of that for Instagram! Or "This is a lovely coffee shop" - ooh I could write a review on this for my blog! You get the idea.


This blogging break has made me see that I need to focus on real life a bit more than I have done. I need to make the most of what's around me and not completely obsess about blogging everyday like I have done. They say blogging is a 7 day a week job/side hustle/hobby. I completely agree with that statement. It can feel like that, and it's only because I love it so much that I will make it feel like a 7 day a week job/side hustle/hobby. 

Why I Took A Break From Blogging

If you're still wondering whether taking a break from blogging is worth it, ask yourself these questions -


*Are you getting frequent writers block?
*Are you churning out content for the sake of it?
*Do you feel like you're at a stalemate with your blog?
*Are you overthinking about your blog?
*Are you feeling uninspired when trying to create content?
*Are you comparing your/your blog to others and feel disheartened?


TAKE A BREAK. 


But yes, I'm back now. The week off has done wonders for myself and my creative flow. I have written this post and another one in the space of two days. I've shot some photos and I've even bought some new blogging photo props and a new tripod for my camera. If that's not a good sign, I don't know what is! I can't even begin to tell you how beneficial it is to take a break from blogging once in a while. It's surprising how much of a positive impact it's had on me!


I'd love to know your thoughts on blogging breaks! Have you ever taken one in the past?



*The cushion in this post was one of the PR items sent to me from Sara Miller. There was no obligation to include it in this post. All views are my own. For more info, please read my disclaimer.  
65 comments
  1. Sometimes a blogging break can be just what you need! I've taken quite a lot of time off of blogging and social media since January but I like to think it's all for a good reason!

    Katy | www.katystephenson.com | www.thegrownupsclub.com

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. It really can be Katy, it did me the world of good! x

      Delete
  2. I used to have a blogging break every year for a few weeks in January and it always did me the world of good. I didn't this year but I was in a good place with my content and clients. However, I plan to take some time away later in the summer. Blogging is a full time job on top of my actual full time job and I think it's important to go away and reallign your goals every so often
    I really missed your content, I'm glad you're back!

    Rosie

    https://www.loverosiee.co.uk

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I'm glad that you make time for blogging breaks and that you're planning one in the Summer, it's good to get away from it and have a refresh! I think people who are non blogger's don't get that blogging is like a full time job also!
      Thank you so much lovely! It's good to be back!

      Delete
  3. Blogger burnout is real. I appreciate you momentarily stepping away to rest and recharge. We all need to do that once in a while.
    xoxo
    Lovely
    www.mynameislovely.com

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I agree lovely, we all need to do that once in a while and I realise that now x

      Delete
  4. I don't really take blogging breaks but only because I don't really blog often. But whether it's a blogging break or a work break, definitely understand the value of taking one!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. There is so much value in taking a break once in a while!

      Delete
  5. I've learned it's so good to take a step back sometimes and give yourself a breather, I've been doing it a lot over the past year x

    Gemma Louise

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. It really can do wonders Gemma! I'm glad that you have taken the chance to take a break over the past year! x

      Delete
  6. The last blogging break I took was back during Christmas for a couple of days and I think one is much needed now! Burnout and overthinking are not the best to deal with x

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Burnout and overthinking is not a good combo! x

      Delete
  7. Totally feel this, it's so hard to take a break and step away but it does such wonders! I always find I come up with more ideas too! Xx

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Yeah I've come to realise that! I've been feeling more productive and creative since I cam back into blogging! xx

      Delete
  8. We should all take breaks when we need them so we can avoid burning out

    ReplyDelete
  9. I completely get this! I'm so bad at taking breaks but when I do, it really helps my mental health and helps spark creativity xx

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I'm like you Della, I'm so bad at knowing when to take a break, but I'm so glad I did recently! xx

      Delete
  10. I get writers block quite often but I still find it quite hard to take breaks because I feel guilty about it! It definitely works to take a break though and get the creative juices flowing! X

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Oh and I feel guilty too Aaliyah! But we shouldn't though, at the end of the day, we need to think about ourselves sometimes and allow the creative juices to refill themselves up again! x

      Delete
  11. I actually took a break from blogging over the last two weeks so I can definitely relate to what you're saying! I've recently started a new job which is mostly all about making content so I've found it hard to want to write blog posts when I spend my working day writing blog posts! It's taken a bit of time but I think I've finally cracked the balance between the two :) x

    https://www.femaleoriginal.com

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Congratulations on your new job Faye! I can understand that wanting of needing time away, especially if your job involves writing content everyday! I'm glad that you have cracked the balance between the two! x

      Delete
  12. I'm glad to hear your break was refreshing. Sometimes, we all need to take one in order to feel rejuvenated again!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Absolutely Charity, a decent break from blogging can help so much!

      Delete
  13. Feeling unmotivated/uninspired has always been the biggest reason why I've taken my blogging breaks, and I've never regretted taking time away for myself! While I still usually miss blogging during the hiatus, I always come back refreshed and so ready to write and create again xx

    brineandbooks.com

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. There's definitely no reason to feel regret for taking a blogging break, like you said, it helps to come back feeling refreshed! x

      Delete
  14. Welcome back. Blogging breaks are so important. I've reached breaking point before and its awful because you don't want to work on your blog but at the same time you feel guilty for not doing it.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you Kelly! That's the same feeling I had before taking a break too, I felt guilty for not wanting to do anything for my blog and then I knew I needed a break also!

      Delete
  15. Nice to see you back! It's really important to take breaks from your hobbies like blogging, I put a lot less pressure and stress on mine and don't get so worried now when I take a break for a week or two. It really helps me get back into the creative flow and think of post ideas and makes me enjoy it a lot more! xx

    www.iridescentplaces.com

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you lovely! That's great that you don't put the pressure on yourself anymore, it must make you love your blog a lot more now! xx

      Delete
  16. Hi Lucy.

    Welcome back!

    We all need to take a break now and then. That can be making sure that you tale 15 minutes away from the keyboard throughout the day or actually taking complete days off with no blogging at all. Or both :) Its better for us and, I suspect, better for our blogs.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you Richie! I agree, it's all about knowing when to take a break however long for!

      Delete
  17. I took a blogging break over half term recently and I absolutely loved the time off! It's so easy to get sucked into blogging at the expense of real life :) x

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. That's great that you loved the time away Lisa! x

      Delete
  18. Ah, I think everyone goes through this from time to time! Blogging is just like any creative pursuit; you need to take a step back occasionally to be able to see the wood for the trees :) Hope you're feeling happy and inspired now!

    aglassofice.com x

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I couldn't agree more Gabrielle! It's good to take that step away and just take in what's around you! x

      Delete
  19. I totally relate to you when you say your thoughts are a bit bloggy. I'm constantly basing my decisions off pictures for my blog ��‍♀️ Like which restaurant is more photogenic? Ok, that's the one we'll go to then...taking a break can be good every now and again. xx

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Oh my word and me Caroline! I'm like you when it comes to look for restaurants, I like to know if it's photogenic or not! x

      Delete
  20. Yes to all of this! I felt myself nodding along with so much of it. We've just got back from a week away in the Yorkshire Dales. No work was consumed and it was pure bliss! I'm ready to come back into the working world now as I feel super refreshed. I definitely needed the break. I hope you feel better for taking some time out.

    Claire.X
    www.clairemac.co.uk

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I hope you had a fab time in Yorkshire Dales Claire! Yorkshire is a beautiful part of the UK! x

      Delete
  21. I think it is soooo important to take a break it helps you ro recharge and regain focus
    shy - https://www.shyyshianne.com/

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Absolutely! It's so important to take a step back once in a while x

      Delete
  22. I had to learn the hard way to take a break from blogging when life happened and I just fell apart and realized how burned out I was. Now I take scheduled breaks and my soul thanks me for it! Such good advice!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I'm glad that you take scheduled breaks from blogging now, it sounds like exactly what you need!

      Delete
  23. I have taken numerous breaks in my years of blogging and I think it is so healthy to do!

    Danielle | thereluctantblogger.co.uk

    ReplyDelete
  24. I occasionally take a step back from blogging too to let myself recharge, good post!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. It's so good to give yourself a bit of a recharge isn't it Bethany?!

      Delete
  25. Welcome back!! I'm glad you took some time to recharge. It is so important to know when you need to take a break and to take it before you reach total burnout. Thank you for sharing your experience!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you lovely! It's so important to know when to take a break from things!

      Delete
  26. These are some really good reasons to take a break from blogging. Honestly, my blogging break gave me so much motivation and really improved my mental health. I think I am due another break as it's starting to get a little overwhelming. I'm glad you had a well rested week! Em x

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I'm so happy to hear that it helped improve your mental health Em! x

      Delete
  27. Thanks for sharing, it's always important to take a break, if you are suffering from writers block, I do suffer from it, so taking a break is good, also from social media :)

    Nic | Nic's Adventures & Bakes

    ReplyDelete
  28. Love this so much, Lucy! I took a short break too and didn't pressure myself to be on social media. I loved it and am going to be less online! Glad to have you back xx

    Lynn | https://www.lynnmumbingmejia.com

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I'm glad you loved your time away from social media lovely, it sounds like it did you the world of good! xx

      Delete
  29. I can completely relate to this post! I had a blogging break during lockdown earlier this year because I just felt so uninspired. Sometimes we need to take a break to recharge!

    Charlotte x

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. We definitely do need a break every now and again to recharge in blogging! x

      Delete
  30. Very relatable. This is so insightful. Thanks for sharing.
    Lots of Love: https://www.mariannyc.com/checking-in-with-yourself/

    ReplyDelete
  31. Taking blogging breaks is important if you are feeling burned out or just not enjoying yourself. I have taken one where I had a break for a week or so, but I missed it too much.

    Thank you for sharing.
    Lauren -Bournemouthgirl.com

    ReplyDelete
  32. I often take small breaks, more so when life gets busy like it has for me recently with moving house, but I find once I’m back I feel fresh and ready!

    ReplyDelete
  33. I hope your break was 'fruitful' from a resting perspective, this year has been tough again so the more rest, the better! I'm glad to see you again, though, as I love reading your blog Lucy XX

    ReplyDelete
  34. Taking the first break is scary, but it's so important to give ourselves that time away.I agree, It's so easy to forget about our lives outside of blogging but it can really help fill up our "cup" again.

    ReplyDelete
  35. I absolutely believe in taking a break when it comes to blogging or any work really. Working hard with no play or break is healthy. I agree with this post x

    ReplyDelete