Chapter 1: The Importance of Taking Breaks

I didn’t post yesterday, and you might be surprised to hear that. It marked the first day since I started publishing on Medium that I let a day go by without a new article. But guess what? The world continued to turn. I firmly believe in the necessity of breaks, even if I sometimes struggle to follow this principle myself. Neglecting breaks can lead to burnout, which is counterproductive to your goals.

This raises the question: Why did I wait until now to take a break? For the past 150 days, I’ve consistently published one or more articles daily without fail. So, why stop now? I decided it was time for a new writing routine—and a new approach to life overall.

I realized that I wasn’t satisfied with the way things were. Life felt monotonous, and my daily habits weren’t contributing positively to my well-being. Therefore, I’m implementing a mix of small and significant changes aimed at enhancing both my lifestyle and health.

Writing is a part of this transformation. Previously, I would write late at night, right before bed, which often meant forcing myself to write even when I was exhausted. My plan is to shift my writing to the mornings, aiming to complete two pieces before heading to work—publishing one immediately and holding the other for later in the day. This way, if I’m not in the mood to write before work, I still have the evening to catch up.

Other changes I’m incorporating include:

• Committing to a regular workout routine
• Waking up an hour earlier
• Eating healthier, with an emphasis on increasing my protein intake
• Writing earlier as mentioned

But that still doesn’t clarify why I chose to take a break. The real reason is that I wanted to mark a clear transition between this phase of my life and the next. In the past, I would have resisted taking a break, fearing that I would lack the strength to return to my writing. I used to think that taking time off would lead me to quit altogether.

However, I’ve evolved. I’m a more resilient version of myself now—far from perfect, but undeniably better. This new routine won’t make me flawless, but it will help me improve.

While I won’t suddenly wake up at 7 AM or adopt trendy diets, I am striving for progress. I encourage you to reflect on your life and identify that one task you’ve been postponing. Remember, perfection isn’t necessary; just take the first step. Whether it’s getting more sleep or improving your diet by limiting fast food, small changes can lead to significant improvements.

Perfection is an illusion, so focus on growth instead.

Thanks for reading!

Chapter 2: My Writing Journey Resumes

Taking a break was essential for my growth, and now I’m ready to dive back into writing with renewed energy.

In this video, "How to Get Back to Writing After a Long Break | Start a New Habit & Stick to It," you'll find valuable tips for easing back into your writing routine after a break.

Additionally, the video "FIRST DAY BACK AT WRITING AFTER A TWO WEEK BREAK! | rested & recovered" showcases a personal account of returning to writing after a short hiatus.

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Until next time,

Carl.