There are moments in life that you never want to lose. Often these moments come on us unexpectedly, and though they are small, they are exquisitely significant.
But no matter how hard you try to hang onto that moment, it fades.
Just like the sun slowly disappearing behind the sea until darkness rules, with no trace of light except for the haunting glow of the moon. It fades.
The picture you see up there was a special moment for me. It was taken on the final night of our California road trip, in a small town on the northern coast called Trinidad.
We had stayed three nights in Los Angeles, then three nights in San Francisco. We’d never heard of Trinidad before, but it was a halfway point on the coast between the Bay Area and Portland.
It was the perfect place to reset before coming home.
Trinidad is nestled inside an unfairly beautiful landscape—surrounded by the Redwood National Forest and right on the top of the California coastline.
A sleepy town, Trinidad had shockingly good food.
And, the best part? The hippies running the place. We ate brunch at a restaurant where they didn’t have to-go coffees. You could either buy a mason jar or bring a mug from somewhere…for real.
We were only in Trinidad for one night. Though it was cloudy, we couldn’t resist watching the sunset at the beach. It was one of those moments, the kind I didn’t want to lose.
I had just spent nine days without my laptop and I felt so free. It’s amazing how difficult it is for us to allow ourselves to disconnect anymore. When I was packing, I remember putting my laptop in my bag and taking it back out many times.
As I looked over the Pacific Ocean in this secluded spot, my eyes filled with tears. I didn’t know how I was going to be able to manage all of the things I was doing before I left. I was completely overwhelmed.
That heavy feeling stayed with me when I came home.
It took much longer than usual for me to write my blog posts, because frankly, I didn’t want to look at my laptop. I wanted to be outside, letting my mind run free.
I eased back into work pretty painlessly, then I made a ridiculous choice to run a $0.99 book sale for Nola Fran Evie. I geared up for the promotion and so many of you lovelies shared the news like crazy.
But, the book sale totally bombed. I’m not being dramatic…it bombed.
After the first day of the sale, I came home from work and called my mom. Though I tried to act like it was a casual call, she picked up my sadness with her extraordinary mom powers.
And, then I lost my shit. Soaked my phone with my tears.
In such a calm voice, Mom said: “It sounds like somebody can use a break. Why don’t you take the summer off from blogging?”
I won’t lie to you guys. I was horrified by the suggestion. Three whole months?
Those of you who have been with me have known me to take my annual blogging and social media hiatus. I always do it when I start to consider sporting a straitjacket to restrain myself.
Last year I chopped my hair right off…
So, here I was again. A little earlier than my planned hiatus at the end of summer. I knew Mom was right, because as infuriating as it is, mom’s know shit.
Going dark for three months was a bit extreme, so I decided on a happy medium.
For the entire summer, I will not be blogging.
I need to step away from this to enjoy nature and work on my new novel. Because yes, even with my breakdown and my crappy sale, I’m still going to keep writing my book.
And, I need to get back to that moment in Trinidad, watching the sun meet the sea.
However, I will still be on social and I will still read and comment on your blogs.
Also, The Life Enthusiast Chronicles will power through the summer. I’m overjoyed to spotlight some incredible guests, who I promise will inspire you like mad.
So, if you think you’re gonna miss me, here are your options if you aren’t doing these yet…
- Check out one of my three books.
- Into business shit? You can read my posts at my work blog.
- Visiting Portland this summer? Hit me up. I’ll teach you how to drink beer.
Hope you all have the most beautiful summers imaginable. Soak in the sunshine moments and be free.
Britt Skrabanek 
I can’t quite “like” this post, you understand. But I sure do get it. I have a habit of taking a summer hiatus, too. (My bloggy breaks are supposed to be one month, but they have this nasty habit of stretching out to two.)
Anyhoo… Rest up and get writing. I look forward to your return.
Aww, that’s very sweet of you to say, Mike! I’ve seen a lot of bloggers take summers off over the years, and I thought…why the hell not? Nothing wrong with having a blog vacay. I’ll still be stalking you guys in the meantime. 🙂
Groovy.
Hey–you don’t get to take a break for awhile. Get back to doodling cows.
You’re not the boss of me, Cricket!
You’re confusing me with Bossy the Cow. She would say, “Get moooving, Buster.”
And I would udderly ignore her.
Cowabunga! Let’s milk this bovine humor for all it’s worth.
If it feels right do it Britt. Life’s too short. Work on your running 😉 And try not to get down over book sales – they don’t matter unless it’s your living – they’re no reflection on quality, only luck of the draw. We’ll still be here when you get back. (That beer invite sounds like a challenge – maybe one day!)
Absolutely! I stopped running a few months back, Roy. Once I started swimming, Zumba, and Pilates earlier this year (this all in addition to Yoga and hiking), I decided running was a bit too much, even for me. And deep down I was enjoying everything else more. But, I’m so glad I proved to myself that I could run, as previously I always thought it was impossible.
I know I shouldn’t get down about the book sales and I feel a little silly whining about it to you guys. I guess I want to share the true writing journey, since there are so many writers following this blog. It’s certainly not all rainbows and unicorns. But dammit, I still love it.
Yes, we shall have a beer together one day. Somewhere. 🙂
Enjoy your break, even though I know it won’t be a complete break. I’m sure I’ll do the same next month or in August. Sometimes it’s freeing not to worry about posting your own material but just being able to visit other blogs when you have time. Sorry the promo didn’t go as well as you’d wanted. It’s a tough time to be a writer. So many books out there. But a great time to be a reader.
Trinidad sounds wonderful! Oh, and by the way, your post showed up in my reader as having ‘777’ more words. That number can only mean good things ahead for you, right? 🙂
I’m excited to take this break! I’ll still keep in touch with my peeps and write my book, without so much going on. Yeah, totally freeing to be the reader for a while.
You nailed it, honey. It is a tough time to be a writer. A few years ago when I first started and nobody knew who I was, I seemed to have an easier time with sales. It makes sense. There are more books out there than ever before. 🙂
Trinidad is amazing. We want to go back there for a specific trip. Haha, 777…too cool!
We’ll miss you, of course, but you do what you have to to keep your shit together.
Aww, thanks, Tim! Keeping our shit together is key. 😉
You’re right, Britt! I’ve already taken the same decision for when I leave on vacation next month. We need time OFF this damned computer and all it entails! You/we have “better” things to do out there! Enjoy the sunset (maybe even try and see that sunrise once in a while!), enjoy our loved ones’ company by the beach, on the porch, or at a coffee place (I love the fact that in Trinidad you can only have your coffee-to-go in mason jar or in your own container! people take me for a crazy one to bring my own glasses so I can stop using those that go straight in the trash!)
Anyway, get away, write another awesome book (they are great! maybe the sale was not made at the right time, that’s all), be happy and smile that beautiful smile of yours!
We’ll see you when you get back!
Absolutely, love! We have to step away to reflect and ENJOY.
You would adore Trinidad! You’d fit right in with your glasses. 🙂
I’m excited to concentrate my writing energy on the book for a while, so I can actually write the darn thing. Hugs!
Can’t wait to read the darn thing! 😉
A wonderfully refreshing post! The beginning of an adventure, a time of renewal. Your thoughts reminded of these words by Lord Byron: “There is a pleasure in the pathless woods,
There is a rapture on the lonely shore,
There is society, where none intrudes,
By the deep sea, and music in its roar:
I love not man the less, but Nature more.”
So perfect, Clanmother.
Absolutely gorgeous, Clanmother…thank you! It’s almost uncanny how perfect those words are for this post. Nailed it! 🙂
I’m sorry the sale bombed… : (
I think this is just one of those gut-check times. You’re trying to reach a peak most people can’t even fathom, much less have the guts to go after. Maybe you got knocked down. Maybe you’ve thrown ten punches, or a hundred, and landed very few. Regardless, that sick shit across the ring is smiling and laughing, and he thinks he’s winning. Oh how damn wrong he is… Wipe the blood from your mouth and go knock his damn teeth down his throat…
It’s all good, Stan. I agree, I think it’s definitely gut-check time. And for me, that’s a time that is best served stepping away to reflect rather than trying to power through.
Love the analogy! Got me all pumped up…thanks! 🙂
And that’s why you’re awesome, and I’m drawn to you! I’m all stupid Marine. You’re all like level-headed, super-calm yoga master… : )
I need more of that and less Marine! lol
Wishing you a lovely break, lots of exciting writing but also rest and refreshing, hoping you get your mojo back!
Thanks, Marina! I always say I’m a novelist first, and a blogger second. It’ll be good to concentrate on the book for a while. And to have more time to read in the sunshine, of course! 🙂
That is soooo right, the perfect attitude to have! (I really should learn from you!)
Have a wonderful break. I’ll drink a Seattle, or otherwise local brew in your honor 🙂
Thanks, Deb! Sounds awesome…cheers!
Hey lovely. Kinda emotional post and I totally get it. I’m a bit overwhelmed as well. I do have some idea’s to write about but just can’t seem to put it on paper. Busy times. Enjoy your break, hon. It’ll do you well. You’ll be back refreshed, relaxed and full of new inspiration. x x x
Yep, you get it. I usually never have trouble writing blog posts. When I do, I know something’s up. Thanks, honey. Hope your business is going well!
I’ve only just returned from my break and now you’re leaving me 😦 Okay, I know I’m being dramatic but hey, I’m gonna miss you. Don’t worry about book sales, they don’t reflect who you are as a person. I got a 2 star review on one of my books in December and I shrugged and thought ‘meh – who cares.’ What people think of our work and how many sales we have really doesn’t mean much in the big scheme of life.
Enjoy your break xxxx
Oh, I know! How about that silly timing? I’m excited that you’re back, Dianne doll. I will definitely stop by and say hello.
I’m working toward that “meh, who cares” thing. I really am. I have a fantastic job now, so I’m not putting all of that pressure on trying to make it as a writer like I once was. I think that old mindset is still lingering, and the reset time will be good for shaking off those expectations.
Thank you, lovely.
Chill well, dear Britt. Hugs.
Thanks, sweet Gallivanta. Hugs.