Reflecting on a 19-Day Medium Hiatus: Insights and Growth
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Chapter 1: Embracing the Unexpected
Life often takes unexpected turns, and my recent month on Medium was no exception. After consistently publishing and engaging with my audience, I found myself facing a creative block. Personal challenges arose, leaving me with neither the time nor the mental clarity needed to produce quality work. Consequently, I decided to step away from writing on Medium.
At first, I wrestled with feelings of guilt and concern over potential repercussions. Would my audience think I had quit? Would my statistics plummet? Surprisingly, the opposite happened—my readers showed incredible support, even checking in on me during my absence (thank you to my wonderful followers!). Remarkably, my stats did not suffer; in fact, they slightly improved, which was a revelation.
Chapter 2: Prioritizing Mental Health
As writers, we often feel immense pressure to produce content consistently and grow our audience. However, it's essential to remember that we are human, with our own lives and struggles. Prioritizing self-care is crucial.
Since July 8, I had refrained from writing to focus on my mental health and embrace life more fully through travel. I had become overly fixated on my Medium stats, losing sight of my true purpose on the platform. Recognizing my tendency toward obsession, I knew I needed to take a step back before it became detrimental.
Pre-Hiatus Reflections
Before my break, I was frustrated with Medium's changing earnings model. My efforts seemed futile as my earnings dwindled to mere pennies per day. This led to an unhealthy cycle of stress and anxiety, as I couldn't comprehend why my hard work wasn't yielding results. My instinct is to dig in and work harder when faced with challenges, but this approach wasn't effective on Medium.
Traveling through Albania, Greece, Italy, and France offered countless adventures, making my writing on Medium less of a priority. I recognized that a break was necessary for my mental well-being, and I do not regret that decision.
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The Hiatus: A Time to Recharge
The past 19 days have been a refreshing opportunity for recharging. I realized that if I continued to push through my frustrations, my relationship with Medium could suffer, potentially leading me to quit altogether. My personality often swings between extremes, which can be challenging to navigate.
Like binge-watching a beloved sitcom, I could easily become too invested in Medium, risking burnout. I was determined to prevent this from happening.
Post-Hiatus Surprises
Upon returning to Medium, I prepared for the worst. To my surprise, my stats remained stable, hovering in the 40s and gradually rising into the 50s and 60s. This was an astonishing realization! Previous breaks had typically resulted in significant declines, but this experience demonstrated that my writing journey wasn't over; it was merely a pause for self-care.
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Chapter 3: A Renewed Mindset
During my break, I dedicated time to self-care and revitalizing my creative energy. I enjoyed nature walks, practiced mindfulness, read for pleasure, and spent quality time with loved ones. Importantly, I released the pressure I had placed on myself regarding Medium.
Traveling and appreciating the world's beauty provided a much-needed breath of fresh air, and I allowed myself to step back from Medium without feeling guilt.
Understanding My Stats
Determining why my stats didn't decline was challenging but ultimately boiled down to two key factors:
- Quality Over Quantity: My previous articles continued to attract readers, proving that good content has lasting value. After almost a year on Medium, I had built a catalog of articles that still resonated with readers.
- Engaged Audience: Cultivating a loyal readership ensured that familiar faces returned to my work even during my hiatus. I am grateful to those who continued to support me while I took time for myself.
Chapter 4: Lessons and Encouragement
This break has been a period of growth and self-discovery. I appreciate the courage it took to step back and focus on my well-being. One thing I could have improved was communicating my break more clearly to the community, ensuring followers understood I would return.
I sincerely value the loyal followers I've gained on Medium, and it would be disheartening to lose any of them. Thank you all for your continued support during my absence!
Ultimately, this break was necessary and has reinvigorated my approach to writing. I encourage anyone feeling burnt out to consider taking a break. Your statistics won’t suffer, and your audience will remain. Use this time to reflect, recharge, and return with renewed strength.
Feel free to share your own experiences with taking breaks in the comments below. Let's support one another on this writing journey!
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