A hiatus is supposed to be like a mini pretend cruise. You take a break from the usual slog to relax, rejuvenate, and recharge your batteries. But it’s not as easy as logging out of social media, turning off your wi-fi, and taking a much-needed nap. Although these things can be good to include in your hiatus, it’s not a recipe for success.
Believe it or not, an effective hiatus actually takes planning and persistence… that is, if you want to make like a cruise line and come back new. See, lots of us just WORK WORK WORK — until we’re too burnt out to carry on. Then we NEED a break, so we shut off our wi-fi and crash. IT MIGHT FEEL AWESOME. In fact, we might question whether we want to ever be OFF hiatus…
But, after a certain amount of time passes, we feel strong enough to take on the world again and force ourselves out of the blissful zen phase…to return to the Same Old Slog™.
Isn’t this kind of pointless?? I am totally guilty of doing this in the past, so I SPEAK FROM EXPERIENCE. But recently I went on hiatus again and it was ACTUALLY REFRESHING. Like a literal cruise. Not only did I return to my work with more energy, but I also came back with a better understanding of myself, fresh perspectives on my goals, and clearer focus on what matters. I don’t have a particular system (because everyone is unique and has different needs) but today I am going to share with you some of the key elements to an effective hiatus. LET’S GO.
MAKE SELF-CARE YOUR TOP PRIORITY
This is a hiatus! It’s about you. It’s about refilling your cup after you’ve been drained. And it’s 100% okay to take a break and listen to your needs. In fact, it’s more than okay — IT’S ESSENTIAL. But when I say Self Care™, I don’t mean kick back with a pint of ice cream and binge Netflix. If you’re feeling super stressed and run down, that might be a quick fix to help you feel better, but I’m talking about LONG-TERM HAPPINESS, okay??
Sometimes self-care is uncomfortable. Sometimes what you desperately need is to get to bed early, when you’re used to staying up late. Or you need to exercise because you typically spend all your time working at a desk. Or you need to go without a to-do list because you’re used to planning every moment of your day.* That’s what I mean when I say listen to your needs. What is your mind and body craving? Change it up. Don’t just run to the same old comforts. Instead, choose something that will improve your quality of life.**
*@me
**FOR SOME GREAT SELF-CARE IDEAS, CHECK OUT GRACE ANNE’S LATEST POST.
DO SOMETHING TOTALLY DIFFERENT
Who says you need to go on vacation to have an adventure?? YOU DON’T. There’s all kinds of exciting possibilities — things you’ve never even thought to try before — WAITING AT YOUR FINGERTIPS. If you usually spend a lot of time inside, try going for a hike or a drive somewhere you’ve never been before. Take a day to do some of those “fun things” you’re always putting off because you’re too busy. Read an entire book in one sitting. Go see a movie with a friend who also needs to chill. JUST DO SOMETHING DIFFERENT. I know from experience: this is sometimes the MOST REFRESHING THING EVER.
LOOK INWARD
OH YEAH BRO. IT’S INTROSPECTION TIME. But I’m not talking about the usual existential crisis at 2:00 AM. I’m talking about listening to your needs EVEN FURTHER. It’s easy to get caught up with our work and school and social lives… we fall into patterns and eventually those patterns become so deeply-etched in our lives, they are almost impossible to change. I like to think of it like a river coming down a mountain side. That river wasn’t always strong — but it’s the same path being used again and again and again that makes it strong.
A hiatus is the perfect time to look inward at those rivers — those habits we’ve adopted over the months or years — and ask ourselves: why? Is there a better way to live? What is no longer serving me? Should I let go of it? If you needed a hiatus, chances are there’s something in your life that’s bringing you down. Observe that. Don’t just shut it off for a few weeks. When you return, it will be right where you left it — UNLESS YOU DO SOMETHING ABOUT IT. Journaling can also be super helpful during this time of introspection — or even making a video/audio diary! You might be surprised by some of the things that come up. Often we don’t even know what we’re struggling with until we talk it out or write it down.
MAKE A PLAN
What will happen when you return from your blissful hiatus?? FIGURE IT OUT. If there’s something you need change about your life or habits, do it now. Devote yourself to a plan. Better yet, make someone hold you accountable! When I went on hiatus this is what I learned about myself: that I spend way too much time on social media and I also care way too much about what other people think. Okay, so how did I change it? I decided to spend no more than 10-15 minutes a day on social media. I post a few things, answer a few comments, and leave. This has inadvertently helped me to not care as much about what other people think of me. When I spend less time thinking about my social stats — and instead focus on the people I actually care about* — I find myself reconnecting with what matters. AND IT FEELS GOOD, BRO.
So even if you’re not a planner, DON’T SKIP THIS STEP. The whole point of going on hiatus is to take a break from Life™. But what if you lived a life that you never needed to take a break from?? Don’t get me wrong — I think it’s SUPER important to take breaks. Especially as a creative person. But MAKE THE MOST OF YOUR BREAKS. Take this time to improve your quality of life!
*UM LIKE YOU GUYS and my family and my legit friends.
TALK, BRO
THAT’S ALL I HAVE TO SAY. What do you think, my friend? Have you ever gone on hiatus? Were you disappointed to return to the Same Old Slog™?? DO YOU WANT TO GO ON HIATUS AFTER READING THIS POST?? tbh I kind of want to just after writing this LOLOL. What self-discoveries have you made lately?
rock on,
abbiee
