Do you find it challenging to take a break when you really need one?

You’re not alone—taking breaks is hard for a lot of us, especially for those of us who place a lot of expectations on ourselves.

As a content creator, I am responsible for setting and sticking to my posting schedule, which typically means publishing a blog post on Mondays. 

But, today is special—it’s my birthday! Instead of feeling excited, I felt stressed about not having a blog post ready to go up.

Photo by Nikhita Singhal on Unsplash

I decided that I really didn’t want to spend my birthday worrying about content. I also didn’t want to post something rushed and low-quality. Instead, I’m choosing to share this reflection.

I want to connect with a like-minded community and offer inspiration. But today, I also want to give myself time to step back and relax.

My family came to visit for my birthday, and I wanted to be present with them and enjoy my special day. So, I gave myself grace and allowed myself to take the day off.

In all honesty, I’ve been feeling stressed about blogging and social media. As a smaller content creator, I feel pressure to post regularly, and I worry about hurting my growth.

Photo by Jason Leung on Unsplash

While reflecting on this topic, I discovered an inspiring blog post from Mary Leigh at Live Well Play Together. 

This post discussed the positive changes Mary experienced after taking a break from blogging. Reading Mary’s story reminded me that taking breaks can be essential and can bring a lot of positive benefits. 

I realized I need to show myself the same self-compassion I encourage all of you to practice. I need to rest to be able to bring my best energy to this community.

I hope that by sharing this experience,  I encourage you to rest when you need it. 

If you feel pressure to keep pushing when you need a break, remember:

rest is essential (not optional).

Sometimes the best thing we can do for ourselves is to take a break, recharge, and come back re-energized.

For more tips on creating balance and making the most of life, sign up for my email list to get notified of new blog posts focused on helping you be your best self. 

And, follow me on social media (links below) for daily self-improvement tips and lifestyle inspiration.

Featured Image: Photo by Paolo Nicolello on Unsplash