You may have noticed that I’ve not been posting as regularly over the past few months, and I’ve been taking frequent breaks away from social media. I’ve purposefully been trying to take a step back from the online world, and I feel it’s only fair if I explain why.
Firstly, I was starting to become obsessed by my stats. It’s super unhealthy and something I have never been a fan of, but I found myself checking my blog stats multiple times a day, agonising over why my views were dropping or I had less comments on certain posts. It was making me feel bad about myself; I would spend hours stressing over why nobody liked my blog and what I could do to try and increase my engagement. I was getting really upset about it all, and ultimately feeling like my writing and my blog was obviously crap because no-one was engaging with it.
Being less active has made me come back to reality and see why I blog. I blog because I enjoy writing, I enjoy being creative, and not because I want to get famous or break the internet by going viral.
Following on from this, the break from social media also made me realise that I was starting to really compare myself and my life to others, something which I’ve discussed more in detail here. I’m not a hugely confident person, so seeing “perfect” girls with “perfect” lives on Instagram all day can get to me quite easily. My anxiety also gets affected by social media, in that I will become a bit paranoid sometimes if people who I call close friends are not liking my photos or responding to tweets etc. It’s very petty, I know, but it’s something that can begin to bother me more than I would like it to if I spend too much time on social media.
I also took a step back because I realised just how much time I was spending on my phone or laptop. Now, I know this comes as part of the job, and to be a blogger you need to commit to being a little bit addicted to the internet, but I was finding that I was purposefully turning down social engagements to join in Twitter chats, or to catch up on reading posts. Whilst this is okay once or twice, I don’t want to isolate myself from friends and family, just to gain a few more views on something which is currently meant to just be a hobby. Maybe this is the wrong outlook, but I’d much rather be out there making memories than stuck behind a computer screen.
The final reason I took a mini break was because I was really struggling to think of fun and engaging blog post ideas. I’m a firm believer in not forcing content, and whilst I could have written many a book or beauty review, my heart wouldn’t have been in it. And that’s not fair on anybody who reads this. I want to be creating content that I love, and content that I am proud to share. And whilst this might not be the most exciting read of your life, at least you know where I am at, and why it might have taken me a little longer to like your latest Insta pic!
My break has allowed my brain to relax, and that means lots of great ideas and lots of planning behind the scenes, so I’ll be back on my A-game now. I’m really excited about the posts I have planned for the next few months, so I hope you enjoy reading them as much as I enjoy creating them!
I can 100% relate to this post! The online world can be so overwhelming sometimes and I think it’s so important to take a break from it from time to time. I’m glad that you’re feeling better about it now and findinding motivation again, can’t wait to read your future posts 🙂 xx
Yeah it really is important to take a step back every now and again and it’s really helped me to fall back in love with my blog! X
So many great points and reminders here! I’ve too contemplated stepping away from my blog a bit, because I don’t want my posts to be forced one week because I’m lacking in creativity. While I would never post something just to “post it”, i completely see your point, and you were so right on to take a break! Sometimes we all get sucked into that never ending checking, liking, commenting, cycle. Its totally normal for us, because we spend SO MUCH TIME blogging! We sort of want that validation, you know? But blogging is for us, not for anyone else at the end of the day. We do it because we love writing like you say. Thank you for this reminder!
Welcome back! I think you made the right decision to take a break, it sounds like it’s really helped you regain clarity and focus 🙂 Good luck getting back into it, I’m sure you’ll be great.
Thanks Ruth! It was really refreshing!
Welcome back! I can 1000% relate to this post! I always remind myself that comparison is the thief of joy, but even knowing that, I still find myself getting caught up in what other people have. It’s definitely important to take a step back now and then to make sure that you’re taking care of yourself! xo
It definitely is and it can be so hard to stop overthinking about it all!
I loved this post! I’m glad you enjoyed taking a break and that it gave you some inspiration too. So much of my time is spent on social media and my blog, and I do love it but I agree it can be really overwhelming. I’ve noticed that making a conscious effort to follow positive and genuine people really helps!
I agree, I just find it all a bit too much sometimes and it’s so easy to fall into unhealthy ways of thinking!
This is so relatable! I have taken a break from Instagram because it was giving me anxiety. Do what makes you happy girl!! Welcome back!
Thank you!
Great post! Sometimes we need a bit of a break to remember why we loved something in the first place! I can totally relate about the stats checking, I check mine so much!
It’s really annoying isn’t it! I’m trying to limit myself to once a day at the moment!
I completely agree with this post! Life has gotten stressful for me lately so I haven’t been able to dedicate as much time to my blog as I’d have liked, but I also keep beating myself up for not posting as much or engaging much with other people’s posts. Your post has reminded me that it is a hobby and it’s not a terrible thing if I don’t always put 100% into my blog. I’m glad this is something you realised and that it inspired you to take a step back, I hope you’re finding blogging less stressful now you’ve had a bit of a break xx
I definitely am and I’m glad reading this has helped you! It’s so easy to get sucked into the blogging world, try not to let yourself get down about not posting as it should be an enjoyable thing x
I’ve been struggling with this as well. I enjoy creating content and want others to enjoy reading it, but it’s no fun just posting for your friends and relatives to read and finding followers demands some sort of social media presence. I don’t necessarily have trouble in comparing myself with others, but I can definitely get sucked into trying to learn to use algorithms or search for new content to read and have hours pass without intending to. I think taking a break is an admirable thing! Thanks for sharing!
I definitely can relate to checking my stats religiously and feeling sad about your views not going up. And also not finding the right content to write about. It honestly sucks but taking a break is probably one of the most useful things you can do and now I am going to do the same because I have noticed myself becoming addicted.
Great post, thank you!!
Thanks so much! I look forward to reading your content when you come back x
Great post! Honestly this is so relatable since I’ve just come back from a blogging break myself, partially mine was due to lack of time but also just because lack of stats and comparing my blog to others just got me really down. I know comparison is the worst thing but sometimes it can’t be helped sadly. Your post has helped remind me though that as I get back into it, it is just a hobby and if it stops being enjoyable then there’s an issue; it shouldn’t be forced. I hope you’re finding blogging less stressful after your break xx
http://www.beesytimes.co.uk
I definitely am! It feels a lot more natural and enjoyable now that I have had some time away, and actually, my views are improving too! X
Sometimes taking a break is needed… I can get a little obsessed with numbers etc too and it can get too much at times. I try to take little breaks here and there.
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A break sounds sensible, I’ve been caught up with stats before and it can consume you. Now I just blog whenever I feel like it! Much happier 😊
Totally can relate to this. I’m on a imposed break at the moment because I just have big writers block!!! Hope your breaks help you xx
I’m glad that having a break has helped you. Reading your reasons for why has made me stop and think about the content I’ve been turning out; I think a break might have to be something I too consider.xx
angelwingsandpetticoats.com
I can really relate to this post, as I’ve definitely gotten caught up in my stats every now and again. I think often it’s hard to take a break because we worry about how our blog will be affected, but that doesn’t mean we shouldn’t do it.
Megan // https://pixieskiesblog.wordpress.com/
Great post! I can relate to this post and feel I need to take a break from social media too but not necessarily blogging, as I feel I put a lot of time and effort into my Instagram pictures and feel I don’t get the recognition for it as not as many people see it because of Instagram’s algorithm.
Grace x