Hello, dear elflings! I come to you on this random Wednesday to let you know I’m going on a hiatus for the month of July.

For the past 3 years I’ve made a habit of going on a posting hiatus during July and, hey, why break tradition? Okay, okay actually, I’ve discovered stepping back from things here at the middle of the year is a fantastic way to rest up from the first half of the year and get all refueled to tackle the second half.

10/10 Recommend

I know I’ve not talked much (if any?) about my writing and what I’ve been up to this year. I’ve discovered there’s a lot less pressure and more freedom in working on things without announcing it to the world (though I do like that peer pressure a lot of the time!). But, to sum it up, I’ve been heavy at work with some rewrites. And I am SO CLOSE to being finished. It’s gone well but…I’m tired. Between that, trying to keep on top of social media and everything else, and life being its life-y self, I think I could use some good old fashioned lazy fun.

First and foremost, I want to finish these rewrites (which I think I can do within a few days here! *squeaks*), and then I have every intention of using July for reading and movie marathons and video games and video chats with friends and probably eating way too many sweets and basically doing everything I can to rest and refuel.

I talked about this extensively back in February in THIS POST, but a big lesson God worked through me last year is that IT IS OKAY TO HAVE FUN. It is perfectly acceptable to be lazy sometimes and do things that bring you joy. My workaholic self, who digs my heels against activities that aren’t productive, struggled to learn that lesson, but bit by bit I’ve been getting better. And as I’ve allowed myself more moments of fun and relaxation, I’ve found my productivity doesn’t suffer AT ALL. Instead, I’m more creative and energized.

God didn’t make us machines. No, we shouldn’t be lazy all the time, but we shouldn’t work ourselves to the point of exhaustion and depression. It’s all in the balance, friends.

Having fun and resting is not a sin.

In fact, God CALLS us to rest and find joy. I am still very much learning this lesson, but I am so grateful to our loving Father for helping me find that balance.

THUS. I won’t be posting here until August 9th probably? I have a few more posts to share on Instagram this coming week, but then I’ll be taking a break there until August as well. I’ll also most likely be far quieter. I’m not disappearing completely by any means, mostly just taking a break from posting things, but I’m not going to hold myself strict on keeping up with comments and emails and DMs and other people’s posts and whatnot either.

(We’re gonna pretend I’m capable of setting my laptop and phone aside now and again. *cough, cough*)

Basically, if I do vanish for long lengths of time…

So I am off to go find some of that glorious rest and joy. But I shall absolutely be back sometime in August, hopefully much more energized and ready to take on the rest of 2021.

Have a blessed July, friends!

Before I go, I want to know: What are your plans for July? Any fun summer things going on? What do you love to do during the summer? And what’s your favorite activity to rest and refuel? I honest to goodness need ideas because sometimes I don’t even know what to do when I have that rare thing called “Free Time”. *sheepish grin* So toss me your suggestions!