5 Reasons to Take A Break From Your Blog

by Guest Author

This is a guest post by Bob Bessette. If you want to guest post on this blog, check out the guidelines here.

Approximately three months ago, I had a personal loss in my family. As a result of that loss, I took a much-needed break from blogging. It ended up being about two months of posting nothing to my blog, or anyone else’s, for that matter.

Just within the past few weeks I’ve been getting back into the swing of posting to my blog and this is my first guest post since that break. I’ve learned a few things during this hiatus, not the least of which is that the break that I took was extremely beneficial. Why, you might ask?

1. Gives you time to reflect

What I realized, when I actually had the time to think about it, was that blogging was introducing a lot of stress into my life. The stress wasn’t because I didn’t enjoy writing my posts. The stress was caused by the pressure I was putting on myself by trying to adhere to a regular posting interval. Since I have started my blogging back up, I have vowed not to let some set posting interval determine when I publish a post. I understand that this goes against all conventional wisdom when it comes to blogging. But I really don’t care. I do this because I love it and I run the show, not conventional wisdom.

2. Revitalizing

I think we all need a break from things every now and then. Whether it be taking college classes or working extra hours at our regular jobs. We need to get away from it for a while. Granted, by taking a break from my blogging, my Alexa rating went from roughly 150K to 400K. I worked really hard to get it down to 150K, but now I am determined to work to get it back there, and even lower. Daniel allowing me to guest post here on Daily Blog Tips, is certainly a step in the right direction. I have a renewed vigor and energy to work on my blog and improve the content. I am revitalized and I know that, without that break, I wouldn’t feel this renewed vigor.

3. Therapeutic

As stated earlier, I was feeling the stress of having to post regularly to my blog. Once I was able to get away from the process for a while, the stress disappeared. It was extremely therapeutic for me. The thing is, I didn’t make a conscious decision to stop blogging. It was a personal loss in my family that consumed my life. I don’t think I could’ve written anything even if I tried. But, I realized, after it was forced on me, that I truly needed the break. I think sometimes we get so entrenched in doing something that we don’t realize that it may be adding stress to our lives. If I was to give you a bit of advice, take a step back and ask yourself “Is blogging still fun for me?” If the answer is “No”, then I suggest that a break may be just what the doctor ordered.

4. Reinforces your love of writing

Running a blog can be extremely time-consuming. Anyone who is reading this, assuming you run your own blog, understands that fact. Sometimes we get so caught up in the process, that we forget why we started blogging in the first place. I started my blog because I have always enjoyed writing. Taking that break reminded me how much I truly do love to write. It’s been something I’ve loved since I was a child sending actual snail-mail letters to loved ones across the country. If you find your love of writing waning from the pressure of blogging, a break may just remind you how much you do love to write.

5. Helps you appreciate your blogging buddies

I have met a number of special people through my blog. A number of these blogging friends contacted me when they noticed that there was a break in my blog posts. They felt that there must’ve been something wrong in my world, and they were right. The kindness that these friends showed me was touching. Granted, these are people I have never met in person, and they went out of their way to send their best wishes. It really gives you an appreciation not only of blogging friends, but of humanity.

I hope, for your sake, that a break in your blogging is not forced by a personal loss or tragedy in your world. But, if you are finding that blogging is adding stress to your life, consider taking a break. You may find that some time away, could revitalize you, and immeasurably improve your blog, in the long run.

About the Author: Bob Bessette writes a blog called Totally Unique Life. His blog is geared toward practical advice and strategies for life, work, and play.

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69 Responses to “5 Reasons to Take A Break From Your Blog”

Damar on July 21, 2010 1:32 am

Thank for Share Bob ^^
Thomas Sinfield on July 21, 2010 2:30 am

Some nice tips! I’m a bit confused who wrote this post though, cause at the top it says Harsh Agrawal and at the bottom it says Bob Bessette.
Nabeel | Create Your First Website on July 21, 2010 4:01 am

Bob, great insight on the breaks needed in our lives.

I agree with you, these breaks are very important and can really increase your productivity.

Kindest,
Nabeel
Eunus Hosen on July 21, 2010 4:26 am

Hello Daniel
There is something wrong with this article, at the begining of the article it is showing that This is a guest post by Harash Agrawal, but on Author Bio section it is showing that Bob is the author of this article. I’m confused, who is the author?
Please fix the issue.
Eunus Hosen
Website Design Gloucestershire on July 21, 2010 7:22 am

Sorry to hear about your loss, and many thanks for your great tips there.

I always find it difficult to find interesting things to talk about if I’m blogging and tweeting too often, so it’s reassuring to hear that taking a break isn’t something to frown upon.

Regards

Rob
Dev - Technshare.com on July 21, 2010 7:23 am

Hey Bob,

Some awesome tips man. Really Great Post.
Thanks for sharing this great Post.

~Dev
Dean Saliba on July 21, 2010 7:26 am

Very good guest post. I take regular breaks from my blog and it helps me refind my passion for writing and gives me ideas on what to write about.
Linda on July 21, 2010 9:15 am

Good advice. And, of course everyone needs to take some time to grieve for a loved one without the pressure of keeping readers entertained. Plus if you are working a regular job you would have holidays and they are usually much needed!
Olivia Mayer on July 21, 2010 9:47 am

You were dead on. I, too, just took a two-month break from my blog, and ironically started back up yesterday, and can’t wait to post again today. Unfortunately for me, my issue is often ROI and not monetarily but time wise. Is it really worth the time I’m investing in my blog?

Just curious if others suffer from that mental block.
Gail McConnon on July 21, 2010 10:17 am

This post couldn’t have been more timely. I’ve been debating back and forth about taking a month off from blogging in order to free the time for making some major web site changes and getting some other writing done. Yet every time I came close to doing it, I shrank away in fear of losing more than I’d gain. Thank you so much for sharing your perspective, and opening some space in that decision process.
carolee Sperry on July 21, 2010 11:17 am

Due to a graduation party, home redecorating, house guests AND a computer in the shop, I was forced to drastically cut my work schedule.

That free time was really like a breath of fresh air and now I’m back with a vengeance!
Quartzimodo on July 21, 2010 1:59 pm

I’m truly sorry to hear of your personal loss, Bob and I can relate to how you’re feeling now. I have been suffering from clinical depression for years and my condition worsened early this year.

I haven’t updated my blog since Feb 2010 and I received email from a few of my readers wondering why I stopped writing. It’s just that I don’t have the energy to write as I used to. Rather than simply writing simple updates, I’d rather not to.

Blogging is all about passion and energy. It takes a lot of willpower to bounce back and revive that lost passion.

Thanks for posting this great and informative article!

well wishes,

Quartzimodo
Josh Garcia on July 21, 2010 2:36 pm

Hey Bob,

Welcome back my friend! Love what you put together. I will take this information and share it.

Chat with you later…
Josh
thebloggingrobot on July 21, 2010 2:37 pm

Couldn’t agree more. I have only been working on mine part-time for a month, basically, after I get home from work and eat dinner, but it can still be draining. Though the fun is what keeps it all going.
Bob Bessette on July 21, 2010 8:17 pm

Hi Thomas,
I wrote the post and thanks for the compliment. It appears that there was a mixup earlier on but Daniel corrected it. Thanks for your comment.

Best,
Bob Bessette
Bob Bessette on July 21, 2010 8:18 pm

Hi Damar,
I appreciate you reading my post.

Best,
Bob Bessette
Bob Bessette on July 21, 2010 8:21 pm

Hi Nabeel,
I certainly needed my break and I am thoroughly refreshed and back to blogging. It really made me realize how much writing means to me. You are correct. Breaks can definitely increase productivity.

Best,
Bob Bessette
Bob Bessette on July 21, 2010 8:23 pm

Hi Eunus,
Thanks for helping to clear up this issue. I guess there was a problem with the name at the onset of the publish but Daniel obviously cleared it up. Thanks for noticing it and bringing it to Daniel’s attention.

Best,
Bob Bessette
Bob Bessette on July 21, 2010 8:25 pm

Hi Rob,
Taking a break with anything in life certainly shouldn’t be frowned upon. In fact, it has revitalized me and my blogging. Thanks for your kind words about my loss. It was my Dad who I was very close to. He was such a kind, gentle, and smart man and I miss him dearly.

Best,
Bob Bessette
Bob Bessette on July 21, 2010 8:25 pm

Hi Dev,
Thanks for your comment on my post. I enjoyed writing it and the break has helped me in my blogging and in my life.

Best,
Bob Bessette
Bob Bessette on July 21, 2010 8:29 pm

Dean,
You are obviously a very wise person. I was so concerned about my posting interval and my blogging was adding stress to my life. Unfortunately, the loss of my Dad led me to a break in my blogging. But, as a result, it really helped me. Somehow I think it was meant to be and my Dad is watching over me in my life.
Thanks so much for your comment.

Best,
Bob Bessette
Bob Bessette on July 21, 2010 8:33 pm

Hi Linda,
The grieving process definitely takes some time. You are right about the holidays. We need time to spend with our families. Thanks so much for your comment.

Best,
Bob Bessette
Robert on July 21, 2010 8:39 pm

Hi Bob,
That’s a great post and is one I can relate to, I myself took a break from blogging, for about a week also because I was forced to. It was this break that let me reflect and realise certain things. One of them being that I couldn’t continue to run 3 of my own blogs and write for 2 others

It opened
Bob Bessette on July 21, 2010 8:40 pm

Thanks Olivia,
It sounds like you can certainly relate to my post. If you don’t feel it is worth the time then I think you should stop. I blog because I enjoy writing and the interaction with others. I know that I oftentimes suffer from mental blocks when it comes to blogging. You aren’t alone there.
I’m glad that you are looking forward to posting again. I’ll have to drop by your blog.

Best,
Bob Bessette
Bob Bessette on July 21, 2010 8:43 pm

Gail,
Go for it. Do what you have to do and the blogging will be there for you when you are ready to return. I lost a lot in my Alexa ranking but it’s getting back down there and it’s fun to see the gain in readership again.
The same thing will happen with you when you return to blogging. Sometimes it requires a break to get your house in order.

Best,
Bob Bessette
Bob Bessette on July 21, 2010 8:44 pm

Carolee,
I’m glad you are back with a vengeance! I sense it in your comment. This will help you in the long run, believe me. Thanks for your comment.

Best,
Bob Bessette
Bob Bessette on July 21, 2010 9:00 pm

Quartzimodo,
I wish you the best of luck with your clinical depression. It must be extremely difficult and I hope you are turning to professionals to help you with that. I hope you get back your passion for blogging and it sounds like you also realized that there are people out there that care about you and look forward to your writing.
If you ever want to talk please contact me through my Contact Me page. I’d love to correspond with you. I really hope you get back to blogging because I think it is extremely therapeutic. Good luck and keep in touch.

Best,
Bob Bessette
Bob Bessette on July 21, 2010 9:02 pm

Thanks Josh,
I appreciate your comments and thanks for the welcome back. I appreciate you sharing it and thanks so much for reading it.

Best,
Bob
Bob Bessette on July 21, 2010 9:04 pm

Hi,
I hope you keep blogging. I know what it’s like to do it part-time as I have a full-time job as well. Taking a break can help if you need it. I’m glad you are having fun with it!

Best,
Bob
Bob Bessette on July 21, 2010 9:09 pm

Hi Robert,
Taking a break can certainly help and you quickly learned that fact. It sounds like you are certainly pushing the envelope as far as your blogs. I have one blog and write paid posts for another and guest post for others (like this one, thank you Daniel!) on occassion. That is the most I can do right now. Good luck and thanks for commenting.

Best,
Bob Bessette
TODHD on July 22, 2010 12:19 am

Taking a break from your blog allows you to come up with new writing ideas
Jen Smith on July 22, 2010 3:06 am

Its good to have you back Bob and thank you for this post, you have shared a lot of wisdom here. I particularly liked what you shared about your posting schedule and how ‘you run the show’. It can be easy to fall into the trap of doing what you thinks expected or the ‘best way to blog’ even if it doesn’t fit in with your own life.
Jen
Aditya Kane on July 22, 2010 3:36 am

HI Bob, I like the fact you wrote about ‘love for writing’. A lot of people blog for various reasons but you must love writing if you really want to enjoy it over a long period of time. Maybe taking a break sometimes is like taking a step back and looking what you enjoy rather than get caught up in rankings, backlinks and incomes.
Bob Bessette on July 22, 2010 9:20 am

Hi Jen,
You were definitely highlighted in #5 as one of my blogging buddies who showed concern when I stopped writing. You are a true friend and your blog has become quite fantastic. I recommend it highly on my blog and, to anyone who is reading this, go visit Jen’s blog, Reach our Dreams. You’ve done a great job and I think you are certainly in charge of your blog and your life. Talk to you soon.

Best,
Bob
Bob Bessette on July 22, 2010 9:22 am

Hi Aditya,
You are so right. I guess if my income was based on my blog writing then taking a break would be difficult. But, for now, it certainly is not. I’m hoping to be blogging for a long time into the future. Thanks for your comment and insight.

Best,
Bob
Bob Bessette on July 22, 2010 9:45 am

TODHD,
You are so right. It is amazing how many different ideas can come to your imagination when you take a break and get away from it all.

Best,
Bob
Eric on July 22, 2010 5:09 pm

Good advice Bob.

You know I was getting paid at my job to blog a couple of years ago and I burnt out. After taking off for two months I started my own blog which has since turned into a nice second income for me. I never would have had the clarity to sit back and take that leap if I didn’t take that break.

Over the last year and a half my blog has been live I have had a lot of guest writers on board. They tend to blow out a ton of articles in the first few weeks and then burn out. Sometimes I never hear from them again. My advice I always give to new writers is to pace yourself, no matter how pumped you are to jump into the ring.

Good luck and sorry for your loss.
Sean G. on July 22, 2010 5:28 pm

Bob,

I feel the same way. We all need a break every once in a while. When we take a break from our blog it gives us the opportunity to have many new experiences. When we come back to blogging we are refreshed and have a new light to shed on things.

-Sean
Bob Bessette on July 22, 2010 10:19 pm

Thanks Eric,
Pacing yourself is great advice. Good luck with your blog.

Best,
Bob
Harshit Singhal on July 22, 2010 10:53 pm

What you said is absolutely true, bloggers often suffer from over exertion and exhaustion. Since they have to work hard to write the articles and then move on to the promotion part, it actually has a lot of negative impact on the min & body of the blogger. I have written about 100 articles this month, and I’m already feeling the heat. A break would just be what I wanted.
Bob Bessette on July 22, 2010 11:33 pm

Hi Sean,
Taking a break really helped me and refreshed me. Thanks for your comment.

Best,
Bob
Bob Bessette on July 22, 2010 11:35 pm

Harshit,
100 articles this month is quite unbelievable. I am impressed but I think you definitely you need a break. Take a little time to rest your mind.

Best,
Bob
Quartzimodo on July 23, 2010 12:29 am

Thanks very much for the kind words, Bob. In fact, I have been on professional therapy and have changed antidepressants from time to time, because no single type have been effective over a few months.

Unfortunately antidepressants don’t work like Tylenol where probably 9 out 10 people on the planet taking it gets relief immediately. It takes weeks or months before a particular antidepressant becomes effective and but one experiences its unpleasant side effects much earlier.

Thanks, I’ll take up your offer and contact you privately.

cheers,

Quartzimodo.
Gary David | Build Your List Fast on July 23, 2010 7:07 am

Hey Bob, I got confused too earlier. But anyway, thanks for sharing it. We really need to take some break not just in blogging but with other online activities as well to regain our strength and not drain ourselves too much.
Kamal Hasa on July 23, 2010 7:27 am

Maybe a standard guest post template was used and got mixed up
Shawnsey on July 23, 2010 10:42 am

Unfortunately I had to take a break from my blog. Hopefully something will inspire me to come back to writing! Like this article did, slowly things are brining me back to blogging.
Bob Bessette on July 23, 2010 7:51 pm

Shawnsey,
I definitely hope that you come back to writing. Let you heart be your guide and you will do what is best for you. I hope I played a small part in you getting back at it. If you don’t then that was the best choice for you. All the best.

Bob Bessette
Bob Bessette on July 23, 2010 7:58 pm

I’m not sure but thanks for noticing.

Best,
Bob Bessette
Bob Bessette on July 23, 2010 9:30 pm

Hi Quartzimodo,
I had a brother who suffered from depression and the doctors subscribed to him the wrong medication. He ended up taking his own life so this topic is very near and dear to me. He would’ve turned 60 on July 1st and I miss him dearly. If you ever want to correspond I look forward to it. Much health and happiness to you friend.

Best,
Bob Bessette
Web Marketing Tips on July 25, 2010 4:44 am

Its working like our computer need a re boot after long hours working.

Once its re boot, speed increase and we get more good results.
Web Marketing Tips on July 25, 2010 4:46 am

So Bob when you are going to take next break. Any planning for that ?
Web Marketing Tips on July 25, 2010 4:50 am

Parents always help their children and this is the perfect example of it.
Web Marketing Tips on July 25, 2010 4:54 am

So everyone here needs a break to give their maximum results.

Nice Bob that you added post here and give words to everyone’s thoughts.
Bob Bessette on July 25, 2010 10:12 am

Hi,
That’s a good analogy. I guess I needed to reboot and kickstart my blogging. Well, it worked.

Best,
Bob Bessette
igor Griffiths on July 25, 2010 5:56 pm

Perfect timing for the advice

My mentor destroyed my business plan a couple of weeks ago, so I hid for a couple of weeks and came back with a new plan, part of this was scheduled blogging.

For the moment I will stick with it and see how it goes.

Like you I enjoy writing, as there is a lot of joy to found in the way that it opens your mind to the world around you. But if it ever feels like a chore then its time to take a break.
Bob Bessette on July 25, 2010 10:26 pm

Hi Igor,
I agree with you that if your writing becomes a chore that is the time to take a break. I think everyone needs a break every once in a while. Thanks for your contribution.

Best,
Bob Bessette
Tinh on July 28, 2010 1:12 am

That is why I decided to work as part-time blogger to have more time for relax and for my family. Thanks
Jen Smith on July 28, 2010 5:48 am

Thanks Bob!
Matt on July 28, 2010 7:53 am

Nice blog bob.

Thanks for sharing the tips.

Matt
Bob Bessette on July 28, 2010 8:10 pm

Hi Tinh,
Part-time blogging is where I am at as well. I am hoping when it is time to retire that I will be able to devote much more time to my blogging.

Best,
Bob Bessette
Bob Bessette on July 28, 2010 8:11 pm

Hi Matt,
I appreciate your compliment and I am glad that you dropped by and read my guest post.

Best,
Bob Bessette
Courtney on July 29, 2010 7:42 pm

This is what I’m going through. I have two blogs and I just needed to take a blogging hiatus from one of them or else I was going to drown from my own in self-imposed timelines. I keep trying to tell myself that no one is sitting on the edge of their seat or holding their breath for my next post, so I can just finish it tomorrow if I need to. But I never do. I stay up until 12:30-1:00am to finish and then get up and go to work the next day and repeat the cycle over again. Not getting enough sleep and the associated speed up in the aging process is a direct link to blogging!!

You made a good point about whether blogging is still fun. I remember when I first started blogging over a year ago on my first blog, I was SO excited to get home and blog at night. I even felt bored on the nights I didn’t blog. I went a long time before I ever had any blog comments and that didn’t seem to bother me at all. I did it because I loved it. Plain and simple.

But as my comments and readership grew, I found myself getting frustrated when I’d spend so much time on a post and I’d get barely any responses. That’s kind of where I’m at now. I think to myself, “If no one is reading this or taking the time to comment, is it even worth my time?”

I think the issue is that I’ve never had a goal with my blogging. I don’t know what I’m hoping to gain from it or what I expect it to do for me personally. It used to be just for a fun outlet. But I read all these articles about ways to be a better blogger, things to do to monetize your blog, etc. and suddenly I feel like my blog should be preparing for a “lift off” to something, but I don’t know what that is! And then I feel like I’m failing at something that was just meant to be for fun to begin with!

I try to remember what I did with my time before I ever introduced blogging into my life! (I know, I folded laundry and cooked and stuff…)
Bob Bessette on July 30, 2010 8:13 pm

Hi Courtney,
It sounds like you might be at a crossroads when it comes to your blogging. I’m just going to keep on plugging on mine. I actually have been able to benefit from my blog in that I am paid for posting on other blogs. It really makes you feel good when someone thinks that your work is good enough to pay you. I hope you work it out. If you ever want to elaborate a bit more just contact me through my Contact Me page on my blog.
Best,
Bob
HP van Duuren on July 31, 2010 6:33 pm

Yes, reasons enough to take a break from writing on your blog. I have several blogs myself and I hardly ever write really frequent on them, I only write on them whenever I like.

I created a special term for it:

My posts sometimes can be very, very, very Exclusive

The comments that I give on my comments are too

All the Best,
To your Happy – Home Business – Inspiration,
HP
Bob Bessette on August 2, 2010 7:27 pm

H P,
I like your attitude when it comes to your blogs. You are the boss and you post at your choice.

Best,
Bob
Voeding on August 11, 2010 5:14 am

5 reason that explain everything for why we should have a break for blogging. Thanks daniel, i think i need refreshing this month.
Bob Bessette on August 11, 2010 9:05 pm

Hi Voeding,
I hope you take that much-needed break from blogging. It will definitely refresh you.

Best,
Bob
Madam Toussaint on August 28, 2010 4:48 pm

Well that settles it! I this found this post while looking for some sort of standard “I’m going on vacation” template for a post. Now I realize how silly that is and needing that break is something anyone would understand.

This post was posted on my blog’s birthday (!) and well after reading this and the comments I’ve decided that vacation is happening today.

Today is also the anniversary of a the death of a close family member so that break feels necessary now more than ever. Thanks so much for writing this post Bob. It’s very special to me and right on time
Bob Bessette on August 30, 2010 8:07 am

Hi Madam,
I’m glad this posts helps you take that much-needed break. I’m sure that you deserve it, especially on the anniversary of the death of a close family member. Your readers will definitely understand.

Best,
Bob