After blogging for years, the whole process can get massively overwhelming. Not only it is about producing consistently great content, but now it is also about maintaining and satisfying your audience. That is why I took a break from blogging. If you set yourself up correctly (no one is picking up the pieces while you are gone), you can come back fresh and ready to hit the ground running.
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Too much content can ruin the quality of your work
As much as I love Blogmas, coming up with ideas and making they are published in time leaves me feeling a bit worse for wear and very demotivated. Every post has to be of a certain quality to be a success and can be very overwhelming. For me, I can tell when I have rushed a post, and most the time it relates to the number of views it gets, which is so disheartening. A break from blogging can help the process of distancing from your content, so when you return – a fresh mind can notice flaws immediately.
One of my favourite methods to improve my content was reading “The Art of Proof Reading” by my friend Eleanor. She explicitly breaks down the do’s and dont’s when it comes to post writing, and how to come across as professional and friendly. Check it out!
It is easy to put unnecessary pressure on yourself
In a saturated market, competition is high, believe me. It is beyond easy to compare yourself with others, leaving your blog to become a product of aspects you love from competitors; rather than your own. A blogging break can help to realise that most people understand if you do not post as much as expected, we’re all in the same boat here so don’t put so much pressure on deadlines (trying to listen to my own advice). They also can understand that some aspects of your blog is a work in progress and does have room for improvement – most supporting the changes at your own pace.
I talk a lot about this in my latest e-book – it is all about overcoming a blogging slump, and how to relieve self-inflicted pressures, as well as becoming an efficient blogger. Check it out here!
Other things take priority
For many of us, blogging is a side hobby/job so other things can get in the way. And that is normal – we are humans after all. Through 6 years of blogging I have undergone two years of A-Levels, three years of University and now a full time job. A break from blogging is needed, because sometimes, life gets in the way. And let’s be honest. How great is the content going to be if you continue? Will everything be completed to a top quality standard. If you can achieve this, then well done! However, I am far from superhuman and I know that during exam seasons, I cannot prioritise my blog posts. Hence a break is required.
Time off to look after your Mental Health
Blogging can take up a lot of our time, from writing, editing, social media engaging, sharing, tweeting, Instagramming, the list goes on. So for our own sanity, sometimes we have to switch off. Trust me, this is always where I always regret having to have a break (“I haven’t done this or that, I am behind”) but the most important reason. Listening to your body is what needs to be done. Writer’s block exists, mental block exists – and no, our blog does not come above from our well-being. It can all wait.
Taking a break is completely normal, and one that needs to be done from time to time. It is never one to be ashamed of, but to acknowledge. We deserve it y’know. If it is ever too overwhelming, take a step back and come back when you are ready, probably stronger than before. It is also a community, one of listeners, so don’t feel afraid to tell the world how you are feeling, someone will always be there for you. A break from blogging is perfectly normal.
Mental Health Matters:
If you’re considering furthering your blog and making money from your hobby, check out Kayleigh’s Ultimate Guide to Blog Monetisation. With over 70 pages of content, she breaks down exactly how she has made 10k per month from blogging.
