How Taking a Break from Medium Saved My Family Vacation
Written on
Chapter 1: The Decision to Disconnect
Over the past two weeks, I stepped away from Medium, and I feel compelled to share my experience rather than return as if nothing happened. I sense that many can relate to my journey, especially during the summer months.
Why I Chose to Take a Break
Reflecting on my life, I moved from my hometown to Madrid four years ago, and since then, my opportunities for family visits have dwindled. This recent vacation marked my first chance to return home in quite some time. Initially, I was thrilled at the prospect of writing without work distractions. However, I quickly learned how misguided that enthusiasm was.
The Weight of Guilt
Medium can be incredibly addictive, particularly in the early stages. The thrill of writing and engaging with others felt akin to being on social media. My writing routine was manageable when I lived alone, but being around family altered my schedule. My days were spent babysitting my seven-year-old nephew and enjoying time with my relatives. After a couple of days away from the platform, I found it challenging to fit writing into my new routine.
During that week, I experienced a whirlwind of emotions:
- Anxiety about losing my audience
- Frustration from not producing content
- Anger at myself for not maintaining quality
- Guilt for feeling unproductive
- Irritability for being in a bad mood with my loved ones
- Resentment for undervaluing precious family moments
After grappling with these feelings, I felt compelled to start posting again.
The Struggle of Minimum Effort
My new routine involved drafting in the mornings while ignoring my nephew, then rushing to finalize my articles in the afternoons. This hasty approach led to frustration and subpar work, forcing me to reevaluate my priorities.
Recognizing the Need for a Break
In an honest self-reflection, I understood that I was unwilling to sacrifice the only vacation I had with my family for writing. I deserved that time off, and I recognized that this break would help clear my mind and rejuvenate my creativity. Despite knowing this, I still struggled with the fear of stepping away.
Moral of the Experience
We often believe we can manage situations, but it's only through experiencing them that we realize our true capabilities. Here are the lessons I learned, which I thought I already understood:
- Taking a break is essential, not indulgent.
- Quality family time is invaluable.
- You have the power to control how situations affect you; make deliberate choices and stick to them.
- Enjoy your time on Medium; your work will improve.
- Your community will still be there when you return.
- Giving your all is far better than settling for mediocrity.
- Life unfolds beyond the digital realm.
Ultimately, it was my anxiety and lack of honesty with myself, not Medium, that jeopardized my vacation.
I recall reading Gustavo Gallina's article about taking a break to celebrate his mother’s birthday. Despite being a prominent writer, he feared losing his audience during his absence. I had thought, "Of course, I won’t stop reading your work for a few days off!" But it wasn’t until I faced the same fear that I truly understood his perspective.
Similarly, Aun Gregg's reflections on needing a break resonated with me. Even when her stats improved, she felt she was missing out on real life by spending too much time on Medium. This realization struck home for me as well.
So here I am, back with the Medium Community. What have I missed?
Recommended Reading
I encourage you to check out these articles if you find yourself struggling with a similar situation:
When You Realize You Have To Take Time For Yourself
I Will Take a Break from Medium
“Live a life that is well balanced; don’t do things in excess.” – Daniel Smith, Banned Subconscious Mind Secrets
