Hiatus | Books, blogging and burn out

Posted on by Jess @ Jessticulates Posted in DiscussionsTagged

Hello friends! This is a post I’ve been thinking about writing for quite a while now and yet one I’ve also been worried about writing because I’ve always worried that taking time out from blogging will undo a lot of the work I’ve put into this blog, writing news posts and making new friends. Ultimately, though, I have to put my mental health first and, right now, blogging isn’t making me happy. I keep stressing myself out trying to think of new content and, for me, blogging is supposed to be a hobby.

So I’m going to take a little break for about a month—hopefully I’ll feel ready to come back mid-April but, if not, I’ll definitely be back in May for Wyrd & Wonder, which I’m very excited about! I want to make sure I have plenty of content for it, though, and I think I need some time away from blogging to recharge. I blogged regularly throughout last year and I think 2020 has finally caught up with me. I’m tired.

I also haven’t been reading much so far this year, even though there are so many books I want to read, which means I haven’t been able to write any new reviews. Instead I’ve been putting a lot of my creative energy into writing my own fiction which is another reason I’d like the blogging break—I want to get some more short stories finished!

Taking a break will give me some more time to actually read some of the books I need and want to review, too, so I can return with plenty of new posts that I’m pumped to write. I have a couple of reviews I’ve started and haven’t been able to finish, which is always a sign for me that I need to recharge. This week I’ve started a buddy read of Jade City with Dini and I’m excited to get lost in it.

So I hope you don’t mind being a little patient with me, and I’ll see you all again next month!

41 thoughts on “Hiatus | Books, blogging and burn out”

  1. Reply
    Jorie says:

    Hallo, Hallo Jess,

    It is interesting I think — a lot of us managed to keep surfacing and reading and blogging throughout 2020 but then, when 2021 arrived — I don’t know. Something just burst I guess!? I’ve struggled with reading and blogging since January. By February I returnt to work after a long absence as I’ve been my father’s carer for five years.. so I think all that combined with my health issues it just was a hard year for me as a reader/blogger. I can respect how you’ve burnt out.

    I’m glad you’ve found a way to participate this May… we’re delighted to have you!!

    Liked by 1 person

  3. Pingback: #WWWWednesday: 24 March – dinipandareads.
  4. Reply
    Annemieke says:

    I hope your break helps. Mental health always comes first even though I know how hard it is to take a step back. I took one step back in November and then in February this year too and I felt better coming back into blogging this March. I hope it will help for you too in that way. And even if you do need a longer break, that is also okay.

    Like

  5. Reply
    nualacharlie says:

    It happens to me after a few months of consistent blogging, the majority of us will be here when you get back and the ones that aren’t are probably having a blogging hiatus of their own. Hope you find some time away recharges your batteries, but take as long as you need. After all we don’t get paid for blogging so if you are finding it a chore rather than a pleasure then its time to take a break.

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  6. Reply
    Jenna @ Falling Letters says:

    I hope you enjoy your break! I can’t tell you the number of breaks/hiatuses I’ve taken in my years of blogging – they are definitely key to making blogging work for me. No sense in doing something you don’t enjoy. I hope if/when you return in May, you find it a fun experience once again 🙂

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  8. Reply
    Molly's Book Nook says:

    Enjoy your break! I’ve taken MANY hiatuses. Some I’ve announced, some I haven’t. Some even lasted a whole year. And the blogging community always welcomes me back with open arms. We’ll all be here when you’re ready to come back ❤

    Liked by 1 person

  13. Reply
    Greg says:

    Enjoy your break and take care of yourself. I can relate because I’ve hardly been reading- the pandemic has NOT been good for my reading lol. Sometimes breaks are good to recharge the batteries. Be well. 🙂

    Liked by 1 person

  18. Reply
    kaitlynscupoftea says:

    Your mental well-being and health come first! I’ve taken several short breaks just to recharge because I was getting burnt out from running my blog and working in a field I hated. Take as much time as you need, read at your own pace. The book community will still be here when you return.

    Liked by 1 person

  19. Reply
    Tooshorttooread says:

    It’s very rare that anyone had been able to keep blogging throughout the chaos that was the last year. You’ve done so well and you more than deserve the break to read and write for the pleasure of it rather than putting yourself under pressure! The blog (and your audience and friends) will always be waiting for you when you come back! ❤

    Liked by 1 person

  20. Pingback: #WWWWednesday: 17 March – dinipandareads.
  24. Reply
    JonBob says:

    I’m so supportive of you doing this. I see too many bloggers getting burnt out and resenting what’s supposed to be a fun hobby cos of feeling like they need to be constantly churning out content. Take as much time as you need to recharge, write some stories and read at your own pace. Your pals will still be here when you return 🙂

    Liked by 1 person

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