Time for a Time-out

Posted bySarahPosted inArt, bloggingTags:, , , , , , , , , , ,

 

I´ve been discussing with myself lately wether or not I should take a little timeout from blogging and if so, if I should announce it on my blog.

As you can see, I´m doing both. 😉 Oh, and by the way: the discussion was only taking place in my head, so no hurry to call the men with the straitjacket – yet. 😉

The reason for this timeout is that I´ve been feeling a bit under the weather in the last few weeks. I normally don´t talk about it on my blog, as I want to keep it upbeat and lighthearted, but some of you know already that I´m suffering from bouts of depression every now and again.

Sadly this is such a time and coming up with new material for my blog feels more and more like an impossible thing to do right now. I feel the need for recharging those batteries of mine and to find new inspiration to get myself out of this creative slump.

 

In the meantime I can only highly recommend reading the following blogs:

If you want to enjoy brilliant and funny writing, awesome reviews, food for thoughts or simply just look out for the time of your life – please visit „The Orangutan Librarian“! Her blog is truly one of the best out there and I totally love it!!! And no wonder – for those in the know: The Orangutan Librarian is a legend. 😉

(For those of you not in the know: please feel free to run to your nearest library or bookshop and ask for any of the brilliant Discworld-novels written by the late Sir Terry Pratchett).

My wonderful friend – I always wanted to be friends with the Orangutan Librarian!! Yippieh!! 😀 –  also inspired me to do this little water color – I hope you like it:

 

Orang-Utan Kopie
Orangutan (water color on paper; Nov. 2018)

 

If you want to learn more about fashion, get scientific insights or simply are looking for an equally funny and brilliant writer who – oh là là! – also is a real stunner to look at ;), just hop over to Dominique at 3Cstyle!

You will find more brilliant and stunning things to look at here: Milford Street – my friend Chris is an awesome photographer who doesn´t mind getting out early to make his stunning early morning Boston photos, which to me at least equals some sort of super-power. 😉

For all kinds of wonderful things – photography, recipes (watch out! Su´s photos are just as addictive as is her cooking!) and lots and lots of creativity – just click here!

If you can´t get enough of beautiful and fantastic stories visit Myths of the Mirror! Diana´s one brilliant writer!

Should real life stories and wonderful observations be more to your liking, please hop over to Sharon´s Sharon Bonin-Pratt´s Ink Flare, Ann´s „Muddling Through My Middle Age“ and Tracy´s „Reflections of An Untidy Mind“!

If you feel like you´re missing out on the art part – have a look here: The Arty Plantsman! Darren´s paintings are fabulous, and his writings are seriously funny. 😉

There are so many more blogs out there, that I love, but that didn´t mention here, so please forgive me for cutting it short now.

Wishing you all a beautiful holiday season!

Take care!

Published by Sarah

Artist & Illustrator

71 thoughts on “Time for a Time-out”

    1. Thank you, Iris! I do feel a bit better and think will come back to the blogging world soon. Wishing you a Merry Christmas! Much love&many hugs back to you, dear friend! ❤

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  9. Sarah, I’m so sorry to hear that you are feeling this way. I really hope that you will soon be back to feeling yourself, but you take care of you! I am thinking of you and sending you lots of positivity, love, and hugs. Take Care! Lots of love Gill xxxxxx

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    1. Thank you so much for the love and the hugs, Gill – I can already feel their positive energy! Yeah, I will take this time to heal even though I sure miss being around here so much. But this way I can look forward to catching up with all of my friends here. 🙂
      Hope your move to Spain will be smooth. Wishing you a beautiful holiday season! Much love! xxxxxxx

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  10. Sorry to hear you are not feeling well, Sarah. I have been through depression and just started to return. Sometimes the life just beats you. No one is a hero. The only thing I can tell you, is – work, and don’t focus on your tests and trials. When you work, the time goes faster, and when the time goes, the things change. Everything is going to work out in the end. xxxxxx

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    1. Thank you, Inese, for your lovely words of advice, they are very much appreciated. And I´m so sorry to hear that you´re only to familiar yourself with the Black Dogs. And you´re so right – no one is a hero. And yes, I do work, work, work to keep those thoughts away and make the time go faster, because I know it really helps. Thank you again for reminding me of this, dear friend. Have a beautiful weekend and a lovely holiday time! Much love! xxxxxxxxxxxx

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  11. Hi Sarah, I’m sorry to hear you’re dealing with depression and not feeling well. Taking blogging breaks to re-charge is always a good option, though. I wish I could say or do something to help, but know that I’m here and am a good listener. Hope you feel better real soon, my friend, and take care of You. Sending comforting hugs and lots of love. xoxo

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    1. Hi Lauren, thank you so much for your lovely words, dear friend! I slowly begin to feel the benefits of the blog break, i .e. more time for my art and that helps a lot. Being creative is one of the things that help me most when fighting depressions. But I do look forward to play catch up with you on my return! Until then I wish you and your family a beautiful and peaceful holiday season! Much love! xoxo ❤

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    1. Thank you very much, Patty! I’m already feeling a bit better and enjoy having more time for my art. Wish you a beautiful Vorweihnachtszeit! 😉😄 Big enormous hugs back to you! xxx

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  13. Take all the time you need, Sarah. Blogging is supposed to be fun, not a chore, and when it begins to feel too much like work, then it is certainly time to take a break. Take care of yourself and do whatever it takes to feel better!
    Thanks for the mention of my blog, and also for the recommendations of other blogs. You are an incredibly talented artist, and also a wonderful person, and I am so happy to call you a blogging friend. I’ll see you when you return tot he blogging world!!!!

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    1. Thank you so much for your lovely and encouraging words, Ann! I begin to feel better and already found some time for another drawing. 😄 It’s wonderful to know that my friends here will wait for my return, and I look forward to catch up with your blog when the time comes. Until then I wish you a wonderful and peaceful holiday season, dear friend!

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  14. I’ve been where you are as have so many other bloggers. We all back off a bit and then post when the mood feels right. Forced writing comes through stilted. I’m lucky to get one post a month. The depression is familiar. I fight it every day. Sweets and bread seem to exacerbate it. And this time of year, They are everywhere. The darkness of the sky adds to it and I very often have to turn on every light in the house and the happy music up loud. Or take a much needed nap and start all over again. Do whatever you need to do. We will keep a place in our hearts for you and send you good wishes. Love the Orangutan. Makes one smile. Hugs, M

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    1. Thank you for all your good wishes and wonderful words of understanding, dear Marlene! Fighting depression is indeed a daily battle, one we hopefully win. The darkness does not help, I admit, but like you I let the lights ablaze and music playing. 🙂 It also helps to make lists of things I want to do, to actually do them and afterwards feel proud because you did them. 😉 But sometimes this is impossible and the need to go back to bed seems overhwhelming. I´ve once read that we actually should do this, when we feel the need, as it is a way to heal the soul. Our restless society that has this craving for efficiency imprints us with the mindset early on that we only are worth something, when we do something. We so easily forget, that doing nothing can be healing, and necessary at times, and actually one of the hardest things to do.
      Sending you lots of positive thoughts, good vibes and love, my friend! And giant squishy hugs! 😀 ❤

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      1. I have no problem with going back to bed. 😉 That’s where I’m at right now and will go back later for a nap. You are correct. It really does help. The body is asking for extra rest. Fog has rolled in the last 2 dry days so not going anywhere fast anyway. My daughter will be moving in with my the end of January and that should help too in many ways. I hope.

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  15. I actually love hearing that blogger friends are taking time off from their blogs to do some self-care, rejuvenate, rest, enjoy other parts of life, or heal. I think it’s really important and healthy, Sarah, to honor our rhythms and needs. I wish you tons of peaceful creativity, hours to fill with pursuits that bring you joy, and lots of pressure-free rest. Sending love and looking forward to your return when you’re ready. ❤

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    1. Thank you so much, Diana! I think you´re absolutely right on the importance of taking time off to do some self-care. We live in a very fast-paced world, and listening to oneself can become a bit hard when everyone around you shouts. 😉 I look forward to some quiet and peaceful creativeness and hope to share it all with you when I come back. In the meantime I wish you a beautiful and peaceful holiday season! ❤

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  17. Sarah, take care. I do know what it is like. Maybe take a little holiday to southern Italy, Greece, even Australia, somewhere it is warm and you can catch a little sun with a good book or just lie in a hammock and listen to the birds. Inspiration will come when it is ready. Your orangutan is beautiful. I am still making mine. They can be friends. Regards. Tracy.

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    1. Thank you very much, Tracy. Oh, holidays like that would be indeed lovely. I hope you´re making good progress on your orangutan and can´t wait to see it!! They will definitely be friends, just like their “mothers”. 🙂 Take care and have a lovely holiday season, my friend! ❤

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  20. Oh wow this absolutely made my day!! 😊<3 thank you so much for the mention and your kind words!! ❤ They mean so much! I absolutely love that orangutan watercolour as well- it's gorgeous!! And I love the arty plantsman too! Wonderful shoutouts here!! Such a lovely post to do! ❤
    I hope you feel better after your break- take as much time as you need- we'll all be waiting for you when you get back! Really gonna miss you though!! ❤

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    1. You´re more than welcome, and I´m so glad I made your day – you always make mine! 🙂 ❤ Thank you so much for your wonderful friendship and support! It´s friends like you who make me want to come back after this break – and who kind of make it hard to take this break at all, but I think I really need it. At least this way I´ve got a lot to look forward too when I get back and play catch-up! 😉 Have a beautiful weekend and holiday season! Take care! 🙂 ❤

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  21. Kia Kaha Sarah, have a fun, relaxing timeout and hope the “creative batteries” are recharged soon. Catch up on your return. I will be around somewhere 🙂

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    1. Thank you, Suzanne! I hope these batteries will be recharged very soon and then I look forward to catch up with you too! Have a lovely holiday season and all the best and a speedy recovery for your hand! 🙂

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  23. Oh Sarah, I am so sorry to hear this. I understand how hard it is to find inspiration and energy when you are depressed, and how that feeds the depression even more. Please take care of yourself, and know that you have a community of friends who believe in you and recognise your talents, and who above all care about your well-being. Kia Kaha my dear friend.

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    1. Thank you so much, Su, I knew you´d understand, as you have to fight these battles often enough yourself too. I really don´t know why these blasted black dogs have to keep coming back and nagging at my heels, though! 😂 Ah, well, been there, done that and got the t-shirt to proof it. 😉
      I hope this blog break will help gathering enough strength to get creative again, I really miss that. 😦
      Kia Kaha, dear friend! xxxxxxx

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      1. I hope a break helps too, and gives you time and space to recover your strength. It is hard when something that should be enjoyable feels like work; I feel like that too sometimes as you know.
        Thinking of you and sending hugs my friend. xxxxxx

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  25. Sarah, I am deeply touched by your words. Your great sensitivity, generosity and creativity are reflected not only in your writing, paintings and photographs, but also in your interactions with people on your blog. Always be positive and creative is obviously your motto and this is all to your honour, but that is also very demanding. Take the time it takes to recharge your batteries and we’ll be here when you get back. I will miss you, but I fully understand this need to take a step back. I even thought about doing it too. By the way, your water color painting is stunning as always. Take care of yourself, my dear friend. Sending you an email. Hugs. And Much love! ❤️

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    1. Thank you so very much, dear Dominique! I knew you´d understand me and as always, your words manage to lift me up and make me smile, my friend! 🙂 Got your wonderful email and WILL reply, no matter if a certain wonderful friend told me not to. 😉 Have a beautiful weekend and take good care of yourself! Huge hugs and much, much love back to you! ❤ xoxo

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      1. Just want you to know that I’m thinking of you dear friend. There is not much I can do to make the “black dogs” go away but I’ve got two ears ready to listen if you need to talk. Didn’t you tell me something similar once when my brother was sick? You did indeed and talking with you made me feel better. I’m here for you if you need me. xoxo 😊❤️☀️🌿

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      2. Thank you, dear friend! And yes, I remember having said that and want you to know that the offer always stands for you too! Have a lovely Sunday! Much love! xoxo ❤

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  27. Sarah, I’m so very sorry to read this note from you. Please know that I’m here always if you want to share, sob, rant, or just find someone to listen to you.

    Thank you for the kind nod to my blog. I’ll be waiting for your return whenever you’re ready. Wishing you comfort and healing, friend. Love from Shari

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    1. Thank you so much, Shari, I knew you´d understand.
      Even though I´m retreating from blogging for a bit, I´ll keep writing you emails – promise! 🙂 Wishing you a beautiful and creative weekend! Much love!

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  28. Thank you so much Sarah. I am really touched by your words and that you thought to do this.
    As you know, I have my battles with depression too and I really do understand. Finding the energy to blog at this time of year is a slog and if it were not for Dominique and Lisa I would probably disappear this month myself!
    If ever I can help – please shout out OK?

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    1. You´re most welcome, Darren. 🙂 And thank you very much for your lovely offer! I know you´re more than familiar with those blasted black dogs and knowing that others feel the drag of this time of year as well kind of helps.
      Wish you a lovely and creative weekend! Take care! ❤

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