Over the last few weeks, I’ve posted about the goals I’ve managed to achieve. I’ve published my third picture book, Bella and the Blue Genie, and I’ve completed a first draft of my new comedy / fantasy / adventure / satire / romance novel. I’m really proud to have achieved those goals. I’m excited. I’m ecstatic.

I’m exhausted.

It’s been a really busy start to the year. Fitting in time to work on the books (whether writing or preparation for publication) has been as challenging as ever. Real life has a habit of constantly getting in the way, particularly as I have (again) changed jobs a few months ago. Over previous years, when I’ve felt that much pressure on me, I’ve usually pulled back the writing in order to take the pressure off myself.

This year has been different. Maybe it’s because I’m not getting any younger and I can hear that clock ticking away. Maybe it’s a fear that if I don’t get the writing done, the ideas will slip away. Maybe it’s because these projects have been percolating for so that I needed to get them done. Whatever the reason, I’ve pushed myself harder than I usually do. I’ve worked harder to make time to write, and I’ve made sure that when I have taken the time, I’ve used it productively.

The results of this effort are clear to see. But it hasn’t come without a cost. As we push towards the midway point of the year, I can feel the exhaustion overtaking me. The stress has been building up and my body and mind have both been sending me signals that I’m close to hitting a wall.

And so, I’m doing the smart thing. I’m taking my foot of the gas peddle. I’m giving myself a break from writing.

I can’t say how long this break will last, although I suspect it will be at least 2 or 3 months. In the meantime, I’ll have a bit of a relax. I’ll do some reading. I may even do some rudimentary planning for forthcoming projects. But otherwise, I’m going to be taking it easy. Letting my stress levels slide back to something tolerable, and my mind and body feel normal again.

I know I’ll get back to writing at some point. I reckon after a while, I’ll find not writing to be even more stressful. But in the meantime. a short break is as good as a holiday.