IT'S TIME TO TAKE A BREAK
I've been thinking about blogging and whether to continue for a while now. It's been 12 years, over 1,000 blog posts, 33,000 comments, and 7 million views! I can thank the AI bots for a percentage of the views, but there has still been so much more to this blogging journey than I ever expected.
I've made friends all over the world, collaborated with some wonderful brands, learnt a lot about writing and how to share my thoughts in a (hopefully) readable way. There's been a journey of discovery over the last decade or so that I've unpacked here, and so many lovely people who have shared their thoughts in response.
This quote immediately came to mind and I used it when I was learning to ride my scooter years ago:
Move out of your comfort zone. You can only grow if you are willing to feel awkward and uncomfortable when you try something new.
Brian Tracy
So, I'm stepping away from blogging for a while; I'm not sure if it's for a short time, a longer time, or forever - maybe inspiration will strike and I'll be back before I know it, or maybe I just need to be present in the real world for a while. I'm hanging up my blogging hat and closing my laptop for the time being. I really do hope it's only for a short break, but we'll see. Thanks so much for being part of my world, for reading and connecting. It's been a joy and so much fun - see you on the other side. ❤️
Dear Leanne, wow what a journey you have had with this blog of yours. The statistics are amazing. They are proof of your words and photos making connections around this world of ours. I think you and I have had a relationship supporting each other on line for at least a decade. So many shared experiences and supportive connections. I understand what you are writing about here and know of your commitment to give to you first in terms on new skills and finding more about what might interest you outside blogging. I am very grateful of your supportive relationship with me here and send my very best wishes for whatever comes next. YOU are in charge of that! Love to you. Denyse x
ReplyDeleteHi Denyse - thank you so much for your kind words. I took so long deciding how to word this that it passed the email cut-off time and will go out a day late. I still really love blogging and the friends (like you) that I've made along the way. It's been so much more than I ever anticipated, and I'm hoping that taking a break will re-ignite my thought processes and I'll be back again in the new year. As you know, when it's time....it's time, and we need to honour what our feelings are telling us. I'm looking forward to figuring out a little bit of music - it's REALLY tricky! and having a small talent to add to my collection. Thank you for being a steadfast support and friend throughout the blogging journey - I'll be popping over to your Substack to stay in touch. x
DeleteCompletely understandable Leanne, I hope you return but no pressure!! Great stats too by the way :). Enjoy that new talent! Take care and we'll stay in touch I'm sure xx
ReplyDeleteHi Deb - I have a loooonnnng way to go with the music playing - and I have very sore finger tips! I'm not sure where blogging will fall in the re-shuffle, but I really do hope to return in the new year. :)
DeleteSometimes we do need a break. I hope you'll be back, because your words are inspiring and needed as a fresh breath of air in the world of online negativity. But whatever you feel is best for you. And of course I love the uke!!!! Enjoy!
ReplyDeleteHi Susanne - I need you to move here and help me with it! I feel like such a klutz - my fingers don't want to co-operate, but it's only been a couple of weeks, so I really do need to give myself some grace. Thank you for your kind words about my blog - I do try to bring some light to this space, and hopefully I'll only be away for a little while.... :)
DeleteHow wonderful to hear you're listening to what your body, mind, and soul needs. I hope the music playing lifts your soul. The trick with the fingertips adjusting is to have a rest day or two before playing again. At least that what worked for me when playing guitar. Enjoy the things that bring you joy, until we meet again.
ReplyDeleteHi Nyssa - I'll take your advice and keep my practice to a reasonable amount. And I'm definitely enjoying doing something that I have always wanted to try but never had the opportunity to. I'm really hoping to feel re-energized and back to blogging next year. x
DeleteLeanne, the emotions of having more to say while recognizing the end of an era and needing to make room for something new can be conflicting. You have enjoyed much success and touched many hearts through your blog. I'm sure this wasn't an easy decision. I will miss your thoughtfully crafted words of wisdom and encouragement, but I will see you over on FB. Wishing you the very best.
ReplyDeleteThis is Suzanne btw. Not sure why I posted as "Anonymous".
DeleteThank you so much for your lovely words Suzanne - I've felt the same way as more and more of my blogging friends have stopped and moved on. I miss the interactions and feeling connected, I guess that's part of why I want to step back, to find my "why" again and to write for the right reasons.... It's been a strange feeling deciding what to do - and probably of little relevance to anyone other than myself :)
DeleteDear Leanne, I actually went looking for you online this morning since you were not in (my) Sunday night email. I appreciate your word “pause.” I 'get it.' To play music … Wow, inspirational. You remind me how ‘not having an answer is an answer’ if this makes sense to you. I look forward to watching you as you evolve on this fork in the road, where your journey takes you. We will stay connected, Leanne. xx Erica
ReplyDeleteHi Erica - I've missed your blogging for years now and kept hoping you'd return. I SO appreciated you popping in to read and to comment - one of the few who have maintained connection through all the changes in life. I'm grateful for FB and the way it gives me little moments to catch-up on what's going on with my overseas friends, and I hope I'll be back here blogging away in the future, but time will tell..... xxx
DeleteBoy, can I relate to this post. Like all of your posts!! It seems we are on often on a similar wavelength. We started blogging to figure out the next chapter and I would venture to say we've both figured it out!! I continue to blog rather hit or miss just to keep writing. But could easily close up shop today. So proud of you to step away and to explore and enjoy your latest hobby and interest. I told PC last week that we both need to get back to trying to make music again. He has guitars and I have a keyboard. Maybe someday we can all 3 play together!! Enjoy, enjoy, enjoy!! Would love to read a post about how you are delving into music...online courses? in person instruction? self-teaching?
ReplyDeleteHi Leslie - blogging has certainly been a journey and a half hasn't it? I've so loved that it gave me somewhere to process the many, many changes that the last decade or so brought into my life. I really do feel very settled atm and that it's time for something new. I've wanted to learn something musical all my life and never had the time, money, talent, or opportunity - so now is my window to try. I found a local guy (he's 88!) who loves to play and teach, so he's giving me some lessons + what I'm finding on Youtube. I'm less than 3 weeks into it and it's going to be slowly but surely - so much to learn! x
DeleteHi Leanne, I’ll miss your weekly posts, but I totally understand when the time feels right to try other things. Have fun exploring new hobbies and interests. Keep well, Chrissie x
ReplyDeleteHi Chrissie - I'll really miss being here - and I think I need to miss it for a while to return back to it with some freshness and something to share. Focusing on something completely different is giving me a lift atm and we'll see what next year brings. Hopefully I'll be back and you'll pop in for a visit. xx
DeleteWe’ll be here when and if you decide to return. Thank you for all of it.
ReplyDeleteOh thank you so much - I do worry that people will drift away, but connection is what counts and if it's meant to be, then I'll be back and we'll reconnect. I love my blog and I hope I have something fresh to share in the new year.... :)
DeleteHi Leanne! It’s Judi Nadratowski and just wanted to say Yay! And so happy for you! I’ll miss your posts but we all know when we want to change. Good luck and enjoy the music!!
ReplyDeleteHi Judi - I'm looking forward to giving the music a good Aussie try - it's SO new and tricky, but I want to finally give it a shot and see if I can get my head around it. Maybe I'll have mastered a Christmas song or two by December? Who knows.....
DeleteThankful I found your blog a year or so ago. You have shared much wisdom and so often spoke just what my heart needed and felt. Blessings to you on your next season!
ReplyDeleteHi Lizzy - I'm glad you found me too, and with over 1000 posts here I'm sure there'll always be something to read or refer to if you're looking for it. I hope I'll have new stuff to write about next year, and in the meantime I'm going to put my very sore finger tips onto those ukulele strings and see if I'm up to the challenge! :)
DeleteThank you so much Leeanne, It’s been a pleasure to read your posts. First time I’ve actually responded. 😁 I will miss you but kudos for you listening to your heart.
ReplyDeleteHi Nancy - I should take a break more often and then I get to hear from people :D Thanks for your kind words and I'm so glad you've enjoyed reading my posts. I really want to return, so hopefully new thoughts will find their way here in the new year. x
DeleteLeanne, I will definitely miss your posts and your cheerleading. I have followed you on FB, so I hope to see your progress with music highlighted there in some way. I know you've contemplated walking away from the blog before, and maybe this new venture will be the final impetus for the end of an era. If not, come on back!
ReplyDeleteI actually bought myself a decent guitar for my 25th birthday with the intent to learn to play. I finally got rid of the guitar when I turned 55 and did some decluttering.... I never did learn to play more than 2 chords. I wish you much more success!
Hi Pat - the ukulele is supposed to be easier than a guitar and little kids learn to play it at school. I figure if a 6 year old can do it, then maybe I can too.... time will tell, but I'm going to give it my best efforts so I can say I tried. I think it's the same with the blog - it's had my best efforts for the last decade or more, and I don't want to give it less than it deserves. A break might refresh me and give me more to share - maybe even my musical progress! :)
DeleteNooooooooo. But I get it. You have truly inspired me with so many of your wonderful, thoughtful and heartfelt messages. Thank you so much!!!!
ReplyDeleteOh what a lovely thing to say - thank you SO much. I really do hope to come back next year after I take a break because I love the connection and the sharing of ideas and what's on my heart during all the different seasons I feel like I'm navigating. Life is quiet right now, so I'm going to use that time to regroup and who knows what next year holds.... :)
DeleteThank you for all you have written. Your words and thoughts have meant so much over the years to encourage us to do more with our own lives and to reflect on and change ourselves in a more positive way! I took up learning the banjo in my 50s but did not pursue it. But now I am learning more foreign languages so I can understand foreign movies and tv shows much better! Whether Chinese Mandarin, Korean, Italian, Spanish or French! Have fun, Leanne! [But I hope you return with some "specials" for us every so often!😉🥰 ]
ReplyDeleteHi Allison - I hope to pop in and out again here - I'll press pause and then come back next year if there's something in me to share. I'm hoping that the ukulele gives me somewhere to place my mental energy - learning something new is good for the brain cells....and maybe it'll improve my singing too??? My husband has been learning French on DuoLingo for the last couple of years - he says he reads it a lot better than speaking it - so he might stand a chance with a French foreign film.... <3
DeleteYou've been part of my weekly 'ritual' for a while now, and so often, what you've written has resonated with me. Good luck with your new venture. This might just be the prompt for me to start some of the new projects I've been thinking about. Perhaps one day you'll tell us how you got on.
ReplyDeleteMeanwhile, continue to live your best life ❤️
Hi Shirley - maybe we'll discover some new interests over the months ahead. I love blogging and I hope I feel inspired to come back here. It's been so lovely reading the comments and realizing that more people stop by than I knew about. I love sharing my thoughts and what's on my heart, and it's even more special to hear that it's resonated with others. Thanks for letting me know. x
DeleteHi Leanne. While I’m disappointed not to have your blog posts to look forward to, I’m completely understanding of your decision to take a pause. I’m facing a similar decision with a life change and it’s not easy at all. I hope it works well for you and you enjoy immersing yourself in your new hobby. I for one will still be here when / if you return. Good luck! 🍀🍀🍀
ReplyDeleteHi Gillie - it's so nice to think that there might still be people reading if I come back next year. I've so loved this blogging journey, and I really do hope it's just a pause and a reset. I wish you all the best with your decision in regard to your change in life - I'm sure you'll choose wisely and that the next stage will be really rewarding. Onwards and upwards! :)
DeleteLeanne, I'm so excited for you and going to miss your blogs. Your words inspired me and helped me understand that I'm not the only one that retired sooner that they thought they would. Your stats are amazing, just think how many women/men you have touched. I wish you all the best and hopefully we will hear from you again. Thanks Dianne
ReplyDeleteHi Dianne - that unexpected retirement journey changed so much in my life (and I'm sure it would have in yours too). I think once we get over the upheaval and choose to move forward we can see it was a gift - not what we'd have chosen, but so much better than expected. My life seems to have settled and gotten quieter lately - I feel like there's less to write about, and that's why this new little challenge is capturing my interest. I do hope I'll be back to writing again next year - I think I'm going to miss it, and the connections it brought with it. Hopefully I'll see you on the other side. :)
DeleteThank you so much for the time you have spent on your blog. It’s helped me grow the last few years and has been very enjoyable to read.
ReplyDeleteGood luck to you, and thanks again!
Oh that's so lovely to read - I'm always thrilled when I get told that something I've thought, written, experienced (whatever...) has resonated with someone else. I love the "me too" part of blogging where we find we're on similar journeys. Keep growing, and who knows, I might pull it all together and be back next year. :)
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