I Quit Medium for 18 Months; This is What I Learned

Summary

The author took an 18-month break from writing on Medium due to platform changes, personal life challenges, and burnout, leading to a rejuvenated return with fresh perspectives and renewed passion.

Abstract

The author, after posting their last article on August 22nd, 2021, reflects on the decision to quit Medium for a year and a half. This hiatus was prompted by significant changes on the platform that negatively impacted smaller writers and by personal life demands. Initially feeling lost without writing, the author also experienced relief, indicating that writing had become more of a chore than a pleasure. The break provided time to address burnout, reevaluate priorities, and return with a stronger drive and new ideas. With the initial issues resolved, the author is now ready to engage with the platform again, feeling less burdened and more inspired.

Opinions

The author was dissatisfied with the changes on Medium, particularly how they affected smaller writers and the overall writing community.
Personal life events played a significant role in the decision to stop writing on Medium.
The author experienced mixed feelings about leaving writing behind, including a sense of loss but also relief from the pressure of producing content.
Taking a break was essential for the author's mental health and to prevent burnout from turning into a more serious issue.
The author believes in the importance of listening to one's needs and taking time off when necessary, contrary to the instinct to push through challenges.
The time away from Medium allowed for personal growth, the acquisition of more knowledge, and the development of a stronger drive to write.
The author is optimistic about returning to write on Medium, viewing it as an opportunity rather than a chore.
Readers are invited to visit the author's personal blog and consider becoming a Medium member through the author's referral link to support their writing.

On burn-out, taking a break, and new beginnings

Photo by Monica Turlui from Pexels

I posted my latest article on August 22nd, 2021. Eighteen months since I last put pen to paper and wrote an article for this platform, and it was probably the best decision I made that year.

A big reason why I decided to take a step back from writing articles on this platform was that there were some significant changes taking place that I wasn't a big fan of.

Publications and writers that made this platform what it was were getting pushed away or taken down. In addition, changes to the algorithm meant that many smaller writers' visibility was impacted, negatively affecting their earnings.

But it wasn't only these changes that led me to take a 1.5-year hiatus from writing. I had a lot of things going on in my personal life that required my full attention, and writing articles wasn't something I had the time or energy for anymore.

Having said that, I felt lost for a long time after quitting writing. I needed a break, but at the same time, my fingers were itching to write — I still had so much I wanted to say.

There were a lot of mixed feelings, both good and bad. But taking a break wasn't so much a tough decision as it was a requirement for my well-being and mental health.

Because after a couple of weeks, I also felt relieved. Writing had become a chore rather than a hobby. I no longer enjoyed brainstorming what to write, coming up with the perfect first sentence, or dumping all my thoughts and ideas onto a piece of paper (or, in my case, an empty document).

I know that everyone suffers from writer's block now and again. It comes with the territory. But when that little voice in our mind says, "this isn't working," it might be worth tuning into that noise and acknowledging our needs before a simple case of writer's block turns into burn-out.

Instead of pushing through and carrying on, which would have been my approach a few years prior, I decided to listen to what my mind needed and take a break.

So I did. And it was hard at first because my instincts have always been to keep going and fight through tough times, but those 18 months allowed me to reevaluate, recalculate, and come back with new ideas, more knowledge, and a stronger drive than before.

When we experience mental or physical pushback, it's important to identify the cause. Because often, we can't just sweep it under the rug and pretend everything is okay. Sometimes it must be addressed and resolved before moving on, or it might cause more harm than good in the long run.

And now that the dust has settled surrounding the changes made to this platform and the ongoings of my personal life, I'm ready to try again. And this time, it doesn't feel like a chore.

Until next time…

For more articles like these, head over to my blog footloosecafe.com. Or, if you enjoyed this article and want to support me as a writer, sign up to become a Medium member (it’s only $5 a month!) using my link.