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The Art of Slowing Down:
What I Learned from Stepping Away
I had not planned to take a break from writing. It just... happened. At first, I told myself it would be temporary—a week, maybe two. But life has a way of pulling you in unexpected directions, and before I knew it, months had passed.
If you have ever taken a break from something you enjoy—whether it is writing, a hobby, or even a career—you may understand how it feels. At first, there is relief. There are no deadlines, no pressure. Then a nagging feeling of guilt sets in. "What happens if I lose momentum? "What if I never come back to it?"
I wrestled with these thoughts, but in the silence of my break, I discovered something surprising: clarity.
Understanding the Difference Between Burnout and Rest
Prior to my break, I mistook exhaustion for lack of motivation. I pushed through, believing that if I just tried harder, the spark would return. However, creativity does not thrive under pressure; it requires space to breathe. Stepping away helped me realize that I was not uninspired; I was simply exhausted.
