Last week, I experimented with taking a break from my blog.

I wish I could say this decision was part of a master plan, but it wasn’t.  I was having a hard time sitting down to write my post last week.  I typically sit down to write it on Monday afternoon, so there’s time to edit and post before my Tuesday morning deadline.

But, I had just come off one of those weekends that are weekends in name only.  (I’m sure you know the kind—two whole days of “free” time that get crammed with chores and errands and other tasks you didn’t do during the week.)  Feeling cheated of rest, I felt resentful and crabby.  Come Monday, I was looking forward to seeing my clients, but just about every other task laid out for me felt like a huge imposition.

Still, my deadline loomed.  I had no fall back pieces I could sneak by on, and my list of topics seemed bland.  I was going to have to tough it out, produce something.  What other choice did I have?

It was hardly an encouraging mindset, to feel trapped and obligated by your own deadline.  So, at the request of a very wise mentor, I decided to play around with things a bit.  After all, this is a blog about wellness.  If I couldn’t take a hint and have a break when I needed one, well… there’s something very wrong with that picture, isn’t there?

Armed with this permission and plan, I set off to take a break.

The break

I mostly remember that the break involved a few glasses of iced tea.  I think I did some pleasure reading.  There may have even been a nap in there somewhere.  The details are a bit fuzzy.

What still stands out quite clearly, though, was the feeling of relief and possibility I felt as I realized I had a choice.

“I can ease up any time.  No one’s going to beat my door down about it.  It’s okay.”

In fact, no one did beat my door down.  Instead, sitting down to type up a brief post about my decision, I felt a message suddenly tugging at me.  I realized I had written an easy 200 words and could have gladly continued.  I actually began composing next week’s post in my mind before the break had truly even begun.

Interesting.

By shedding the mantle of obligation, I was able to rediscover my love for the task.

And, it felt different than an extended, indulgent sort of procrastination.  No, this was something else.  I announced my intention, and went away so I could come back again.

So, if breaks are so easy, why are they so hard?

What gets in the way

There are numerous reasons why we find it hard to take breaks—factors in our culture, our character, and our relationships can hugely shape outcomes.  Today I’ll be talking about a few personality or character traits that can make it particularly challenging.

I think we can divide the troubles into two parts—those pressures that originate inside of us and the pressure we receive from others.  I’ve written a brief personality sketch of each to demonstrate how these might play out.

Roadrunners.  As the name implies, you may find yourself hurtling through life at unnecessary speeds.  Maybe you’re still when you’re asleep—and maybe not even then.  The unhappy murmur of the items on your to do list accompany all your comings and goings.  You tackle life at a sprint.  Roadrunners often feel an intense internal pressure—to achieve, to find the next big thing, to power through.  Unfortunately for roadrunners, life is a marathon, not a sprint.  So, unless there’s time set aside for the precious refueling process, roadrunners can find themselves burned out in no time.

Chameleons.  These folks are masters at blending in pleasingly with others.  This skill can come in handy with making friends, getting jobs, and being well-liked.  However, if a chameleon blends too well, they can forget who they are and what matters to them.  They can feel intense pressure from others to “perform” since they’re fearful about losing their hard-won friendships.  Typically, chameleons are very aware of their needs to refuel and take breaks.  But, these finely attuned individuals can get stuck in a pattern of overriding their inclinations to disengage periodically, leaving them feeling depleted and worn.

Coming back

So a week later, how’s it feeling?  It’s still feeling good.  I got a little extra rest in my week.  I reminded myself about the power of my own choice.  And I got an unexpected gift.  I found myself approaching this week’s post with possibility and fresh interest.

In fact, the post wrote itself early and quickly this week—four days before it was “due.”  So, it seems I have another break waiting for me next Monday.  Cool.

Now you try

Many times, we shrink under the mantle of obligation.  To dos and “should” crowd our thinking—making us want to run screaming from the scene.

I encourage to you to see if you can shift the balance like I did, even if just for a little while.

Pick a task with which you have some conflict—a love or interest complicated by obligation or deadline.  Take it by the hand it tell it that you’re leaving for a little while, but that you’ll be back soon.

Define soon.  And then go away.

Go away, so you can come back.