Important Announcement

Hey, you! Today I’ve got an important announcement to share.

Thus declareth my parents: I have to take a break from writing and blogging, for hopefully no more than eight weeks.

WHY?

I have physical and mental burnout. Since I started blogging and writing seriously in 2016, I’ve been running at a breakneck pace.

Fast forward to now, and I’m running three websites, two YouTube channels, and writing a series of historical fiction epics with the goal of being traditionally published.

You know me: pedal to the metal until the car crashes!

Well… the car has crashed. My health and creativity have taken a serious downfall.

WHAT DO YOU MEAN, “BURNOUT”?

  • No sleep. Not only am I exhausted all the time (literally falling asleep at my desk!), but I wake up three or four times during the night for no reason.
  • Real stress. I treat myself like an adult in my head, not a student, so I give myself adult-like work hours in hopes of accomplishing mountain-sized dreams. But because I’ve been taking on too much and taking care of my health too little, I’m unable to accomplish even a third of my weekly to-do lists. Everyone thinks I’m going to start sprouting gray hair at 20.
  • Lack of creativity. I hardly ever lack inspiration, but some days I just sit and stare at the screen with no motivation to write at all. I’ve given all that I’ve got.
  • Health problems. All that adds up to exhaustion, fatigue, and weariness, which I found out kids aren’t supposed to have? XD

OH, AND A DEMONIC ATTACK.

Did you read my healing testimony on my lifestyle blog?

Well, that didn’t make the devil too happy. Nosireebob.

And then I expounded on it fully here. I painted a huge target on my back with that one.

He freaked out and attacked my health again, hoping I’d feel silly for declaring Jesus is still in the miracle-working business while I deal with rheumatoid arthritis in my knee.

But a team that’s undefeated had to have played a few games. If he thinks he can try to turn the volume down on what I believe, I’ll rip the drums out of his ears.

Of course, the devil’s shooting himself in the foot; I can’t wait to see how much huger of a testimony I’ll have when I overcome this flare-up!

But I need to take some practical steps, too. Like getting enough sleep. Doing fun, meaningless stuff. Finding exercise that won’t hurt my knee. Eating healthier. That sort of thing.

I DIDN’T WANT TO TAKE A BREAK.

Everyone doubted I could keep up with three websites and boy was I determined to prove them wrong.

I am not a lazy person. I never take breaks. This isn’t the first time I’ve felt tired or stressed or dealt with arthritis. I’ve pressed through all that.

But then my dad was praying about my health, and God let him know that if we didn’t take care of my exhaustion and stress now, it was going to turn into something much more serious down the road.

I can sleep when I’m dead, I’ve always believed.

But I’ll be dead a whole lot sooner if I don’t take care of this now.

HOW LONG WILL THE BREAK LAST?

Hopefully, no more than a few weeks, but my parents haven’t set a particular time.

When I can sleep well and am refreshed and revived every day; when my health is under control; when I’m just bouncing to get back to work; that’s when I’m allowed to push the pedal through the floor again.

For now, I need to fill back up on gas.

WHAT WILL THIS MEAN FOR THIS BLOG?

I won’t be posting here during my break time. But since posting on my doll blog is super fun and relaxing for me, I’m allowed to spend an hour a day on that.

You may not be interested in dolls, but in case you enjoy my posts, I will still be mildly active there.

WHAT WILL THIS MEAN FOR YOU?

Am I disappearing off the face of planet earth? No! Am I throwing my phone out the window and shunning all wifi to go live in the mountains? No! ?

You can email me anytime. I’ve got an hour a day to blog, so I’ll definitely keep in touch with anyone who dares enter into conversation with me. (Not many do.)

AM I LEAVING FOREVER???

You don’t know how many amazing blogs I’ve discovered that have been authored by someone who lost interest, took a couple breaks, and then finally left for good. (One person actually died and their mom posted the goodbye message! That was sad…)

Yeah, that’s not happening here.

*In Terminator voice* I’ll be back.

COULD I HAVE SUMMED ALL THIS UP INTO A FEW PARAGRAPHS INSTEAD OF MAKING A FULL-BLOWN POST ABOUT IT?

You bet! But is that any fun? No! ?

I’ll be back just as soon as I can.

For now, comment moderation is off, so have fun with that and I’ll have fun taking my break. (I plan on re-organizing my room, getting back into art, doing more swimming…)

You can email me here and keep up with my posts on my doll blog here.

See you when my tank is full and my engine is ready to rumble!

Madi out.

 

By | 2018-06-14T18:30:18-04:00 June 14th, 2018|Blogging, News|73 Comments

About the Author:

Hey! I'm Madi, a blogger, writer, doll collector, & minister of the Gospel of Jesus Christ. You can learn more about me by clicking here and more about this blog by clicking here.

73 Comments

  1. kaitlynrh1 June 14, 2018 at 6:38 pm - Reply

    I totally get it Madi. 🙂 I think I might have to take a brake for a while too. And with your rheumatoid arthritis in you knee, I pray that that’ll get healed in no time!

    • Madison Grace June 14, 2018 at 6:39 pm - Reply

      Thanks, Kaitlyn! If you have to take a break I hope you come back feeling super refreshed. And thank you SO MUCH! 😀

  2. You definitely deserve a break! I feel like I can barely keep up with my one blog, I know I couldn’t do three! Rest, we’ll all be waiting for you when you get back. I’ll definitely keep up with your doll blog!

    • Madison Grace June 14, 2018 at 7:07 pm - Reply

      Thank you so much, Diamond! Your blog is so great. 😀 Thank you so much again!

  3. Amie June 14, 2018 at 6:53 pm - Reply

    I hope and pray you’ll start feeling better!

  4. Bella June 14, 2018 at 6:56 pm - Reply

    We understand!

  5. Kellyn Roth June 14, 2018 at 7:01 pm - Reply

    YOU CRAZY CRAZY CRAZY PERSON. *hugs you a million times* I’m over here freaking out! But I’m so glad you’re taking a break now. And when you get back, ease off a little … it’s okay, really!

    God’s got you through this! I’ll be praying for a nice restful vacation! 🙂

    • Madison Grace June 14, 2018 at 7:09 pm - Reply

      AWW THANKS KELLYN! *hugs back* That means so much! Thanks a million. ❤️

  6. Silverfoxstudios June 14, 2018 at 7:08 pm - Reply

    I hope you feel better soon! I’ll pray for you and remember you. I often suffer from lack of inspiration or sleep loss, and my parents keep telling me I need to slow down. The only reason I’m stilling blogging is because I promised my family that I would spend a hour less a day working on it.

    • Madison Grace June 14, 2018 at 7:11 pm - Reply

      Thanks so much, Carlye! Sounds like we both could use a break. I hope you gets tons of sleep and inspiration soon. ❤️

      • Silverfoxstudios June 15, 2018 at 7:31 pm - Reply

        You’re welcome. I’m actually currently taking the month off so I can just random things. Though it’s more just for writing, not blogging.

        • Madison Grace June 17, 2018 at 6:28 pm - Reply

          I hope your break proves to be super restful, and that when you come back, you have loads of great ideas for your writing!

  7. Liz - Home with the Hummingbirds June 14, 2018 at 7:11 pm - Reply

    Oh wow. Madi, XD go take a nice long break, we all understand!! <3 (and I emailed you 😉 )
    Also I'm praying for you everyday! 😀 *hugs*
    Also on that last picture where your drinking ice tea (???) we have those same cups at our house XDD I'm drinking water from one right now 😛

    • Madison Grace June 17, 2018 at 6:06 pm - Reply

      XD Thank you so much, Liz! (And oh, yes, I’m replying to that ASAP. 😀 )

      Awww, thank you sooo much! <3

      I was drinking hot tea, just not in a mug. XD Oh my goodness, really?! That's so epic! They're awesome cups. XD

  8. Olivia Bell June 14, 2018 at 7:11 pm - Reply

    I think this will be great for you and I hope you have an awesome time, have a lot of fun! 🙂 I always keep you in my prayers, I hope your knee feels better soon. <3 Hugs to my favorite Madi!!! 😀

    • Madison Grace June 17, 2018 at 6:08 pm - Reply

      Thank you so much, Livy! That means so much. ❤️ Hugs to the amazing Livy! ?

  9. Sarah @ paper-ish June 14, 2018 at 7:14 pm - Reply

    I’m so proud of you for doing this for yourself!! I LOVE YOU MADS <333 & I'll be praying for your health! *hugs*

    • Madison Grace June 17, 2018 at 6:08 pm - Reply

      Aww, thank you so much, Sarah! Awww, I love you too — thank you so much for praying! ❤️

  10. Caleb E King June 14, 2018 at 7:30 pm - Reply

    I totally understand, Madi! ?
    And to tell the truth, I’m not all that surprised. You have been pounding away so hard and so epically that I feel like I’ve not accomplished a single thing in my entire 6 years of writing. Hope you have a great time on your break, feel refreshed and once again get going faster than I can even blink!
    You’re a big inspiration to me Madi and I hope one day I’ll be as high up in the writing/blogging journey as you.
    *waves* bye for now! ?

    • Madison Grace June 17, 2018 at 6:11 pm - Reply

      Awww, this made me smile sooo big! I think you are definitely accomplishing a lot! Thank you so much, Caleb — that means so much! *waves*

  11. Erin June 14, 2018 at 7:30 pm - Reply

    Oh sad (for you and for me!) Putting the pedal to the metal is never a good thing! :-0 I hope you recover soon! *hugs*

    • Madison Grace June 17, 2018 at 6:11 pm - Reply

      Guess I went a little too fast! ? Thank you so much, Erin! *hugs*

  12. Olivia @ Purely Olivia June 14, 2018 at 7:38 pm - Reply

    I’m going to miss your energetic posts, but it’s way more important that you get back that energy to write those posts! 😉 I hope you enjoy your break and come back with more inspiration than ever. Bye for now!

    • Madison Grace June 17, 2018 at 6:12 pm - Reply

      So true! ? Awww, thank you so much, Olivia! I’m really glad you like my posts.

  13. Analise Kumma June 14, 2018 at 8:29 pm - Reply

    Aaaaaaah!!!! That’s horrible!!! I REALLY hope you get rejuvenated. Your health and safety I’m sure means WAY more to us than having a constant blog post. I know how that can be. When I get extremely motivated about something, it’s all I can think about, all I can talk about, and I pretty much loose my mind completely. When I desperately want something or am obsessing over something, no sleep, no peace of mind, high stress… etc. you need a vacation from this crappyness!! Take a breather. Don’t feel bad for us, we’ll live. It’s not like I’ll be screaming and sobbing in anguish and throwing a toddler tantrum because I’m not getting blog posts! ? I’d be more likely to do that if you pushed yourself over the edge and something went terribly wrong!! Feel better!!! I’m here if you ever need to talk or need encouragement!! ❤️❤️*HUGSSSSSSS* I’ll be praying for you!!

    • Madison Grace June 17, 2018 at 6:13 pm - Reply

      Awww, thank you so much, Analise! You’re the best. You are such a huge encouragement — thanks a million! ❤️

  14. michaelgoddardii June 14, 2018 at 9:30 pm - Reply

    That’s very understandable. Enjoy your break! And don’t forget to relax in the sun and grass once and a while. 😉

    • Madison Grace June 17, 2018 at 6:14 pm - Reply

      Thanks, Michael! You know, I still have not tried that walking barefoot in the grass thing… I need to do it! 😉

      • michaelgoddardii June 24, 2018 at 3:34 pm - Reply

        All you simply have to do is go outside and walk barefoot… and watch out for thorns if there are any. 😉

  15. Hannah June 14, 2018 at 9:37 pm - Reply

    Enjoy your break Madi! All the work you do is amazing, and I’m sure that God’s got your back through all your medical challenges! I’ll be praying for you! 🙂

    • Madison Grace June 17, 2018 at 6:14 pm - Reply

      Will do, Hannah! Awww, thank you so much — that means a lot! ❤️

  16. Zella T June 14, 2018 at 10:14 pm - Reply

    Aww rats! I hope you are able to recover and get some sleep! Does that mean you won’t be doing NaNo? Also, isn’t in summer time so how can you fall asleep at school? Just wondering…

    • Madison Grace June 17, 2018 at 6:15 pm - Reply

      Me, too! Yeah, I won’t be doing Camp NaNo this July. I hope to hit it again hard next year, though. And I was falling asleep at my home desk. XD

  17. Beth June 14, 2018 at 10:19 pm - Reply

    Enjoy your break girl!!! Kick back those heels and sip on some coconuts by a pool or something ?

    • Madison Grace June 17, 2018 at 6:16 pm - Reply

      I sure will! Thanks so much, Beth! You know, that sounds extremely relaxing. ?

  18. Chloe (aka Crystal) June 14, 2018 at 11:09 pm - Reply

    You have so much going on that you really do deserve a break. I’ll be praying for your health and that you’ll enjoy relaxing for a while. 🙂

  19. Danielle June 14, 2018 at 11:20 pm - Reply

    We’ll miss you! You totally deserve it though, and the summer is always the best time to take breaks. That’s why it’s there! XD Have a wonderful hiatus! (I’ll be checking for posts on your doll blog 😉 )

    • Madison Grace June 17, 2018 at 6:19 pm - Reply

      I’ll miss you, too! Hey, so true… I’ve always used summer to pile on the blogging and writing, but this year’ll be the opposite! ? I hope you enjoy the doll posts! ?

  20. Laura June 14, 2018 at 11:53 pm - Reply

    Get some good rest!

  21. Kaylyn Grace June 15, 2018 at 9:39 am - Reply

    MADIIIIIIIIIIII??????????? WHYYYYYYYYY??????????????????????? I HOPE YOU GET BETTER SOON!!!! AND… ARE YOU DRINKING APPLE JUICE?????? XDDDD

  22. Julia June 15, 2018 at 9:43 am - Reply

    I hope you feel better soon! I deal with some of the same stuff that you are, actually; maybe I should try to spend more of my summer relaxing instead of trying to force myself to write? ?

    • Madison Grace June 17, 2018 at 6:21 pm - Reply

      Thank you so much, Julia! As much as I use summer to pile on the writing projects too, sounds like we both could use a more laid-back summer! ?

  23. Laura Beth June 15, 2018 at 11:10 am - Reply

    I hope you have a restful break! Looking forward to seeing you come back refreshed!!

  24. AAG June 15, 2018 at 4:57 pm - Reply

    I hope you feel better soon! I’ll be praying for you and happy early birthday!

    • Madison Grace June 17, 2018 at 6:26 pm - Reply

      Thank you so much, AAG! And awww, thank you!! I can’t believe it’s coming up so soon!

      • AAG June 17, 2018 at 8:14 pm - Reply

        You’re very welcome!

  25. Carli June 15, 2018 at 7:51 pm - Reply

    I hope your break helps you come back strong and calm! I totally understand the mental and physical burnout thing from too much working, and I’ll be praying <3

    • Madison Grace June 17, 2018 at 6:28 pm - Reply

      Aww, thank you so much, Carli! It’s tough, isn’t it? Thanks again. ❤️

  26. Enni June 16, 2018 at 9:16 pm - Reply

    I’LLMISSYOUI’LLMISSYOUI’LLMISSYOUSOSOSOSOSOSOMUCH. You are seriously one of my favorite bloggers ever, and you are a serious inspiration for me both in blogging and in life – your spiritual awareness and writing…*cries*

    • Madison Grace June 17, 2018 at 6:31 pm - Reply

      AWWW I’LL MISS YOU TOO ENNI! Oh my goodness, you are the sweetest — that means so much! ❤️ I hope to be back super soon!

      • Enni June 17, 2018 at 6:37 pm - Reply

        And please…just take care of yourself! <3 Just, relax. Please.

  27. Kirstyn Todd June 17, 2018 at 9:27 pm - Reply

    Girl, I’m gonna miss you, but if it’s really this bad, then by all means GET. SOME. REST. I hope you get better, and see you then! I’ll be praying for you. ?

    I actually have the opposite problem… XD I’m naturally a sleep lover, and I honestly hate that about me. I’m working on it, though! XD

    • Madison Grace July 2, 2018 at 12:49 pm - Reply

      Hmm, that’s odd. I remember replying to this comment, but it must not have sent.

      Thank you so much, Kirstyn! Hah, I love sleep too. I just can’t seem to get it. XD

      • Kirstyn Todd August 22, 2018 at 2:37 pm - Reply

        Oh, I posted the same comment twice. Sorry, probably shouldn’t have done that… :/

  28. Hannah November 25, 2018 at 9:21 pm - Reply

    I hope you break is going well Madi! Have a wonderful Christmas/Holiday season! I’ve been praying for you and I hope everything is going well! I certainly miss you, but totally understand! -Hannah

  29. Zielle January 28, 2019 at 5:02 pm - Reply

    Madi, will you be coming back soon? I miss you and your posts to bits! I hope all is well. xo Praying for you! xx ?

    • Madison Grace January 28, 2019 at 5:16 pm - Reply

      Just as soon as possible! I spend every hour of every day taking the best care of my health, and not a day goes by that I don’t think about blogging, believe me! ? I believe God will accelerate my recovery as I take care of my body, and I ultimately look to Him for healing. I have no idea when I’ll be able to return, but legit as soon as possible. It means so much to know that you like my posts enough to miss them. Thank you for praying! You’re such an encouragement! ??

      • Zielle January 28, 2019 at 5:20 pm - Reply

        Your health definitely comes first. ? You’re so very dedicated to blogging and I appreciate that! So excited for when you come back, but don’t rush! Take your time and God bless! ?

  30. Madison Grace February 14, 2021 at 11:23 pm - Reply

    In case someone is still reading this: I have not given up on blogging! My health is a lot better but as of now, I still am not fully recovered yet. I’m working hard every single day in order to recover, though! Please pray for me that I recover completely and can return here soon! <3

  31. Madison Grace October 26, 2021 at 9:32 pm - Reply

    Update for anyone reading this: I am 2/3 recovered now and happily back to a mostly normal life! I am continuing school, my hobbies/passions (writing and blogging!), and extracurricular activities! I am SO GRATEFUL to God! I still struggle with my health and haven’t 100% bounced back, but it no longer defines my life. I hope to post again on this blog as well, but I am back to blogging on delightfulworldofdolls.com and post frequently on the @delightfulworldofdolls Instagram and my personal Instagram @madisongraceig. This year I wrote draft five (83,000 words!) of my novel Warfare! You can stay updated with me at my personal Instagram and my writing projects here: https://www.mywriteclub.com/beta/writers/madisongrace Don’t forget to subscribe to this blog and/or its newsletter to be notified of my next post!

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