When Creating Became Heavy: Why I Needed an Unplanned Break from Blogging

Taking a break from blogging wasn’t in the plan. Honestly, it scared me. DateYourselfGirl had become such a meaningful part of my identity—a space where I could share my truth, connect with my community, and express my journey in real time. The thought of stepping away felt like I might lose all of that—my audience, my voice, my momentum. But I was EXHAUSTED! The constant pressure to produce fresh, engaging content started to feel more like a burden than a joy. The unspoken deadlines and invisible expectations began to overshadow the original purpose: to simply share, grow, and inspire. At some point, dating myself—the very thing that once empowered me—started to feel isolating.

I didn’t just need a break from blogging... I needed a break from performing my growth while I was still trying to live it. So, I gave myself permission to pause. And in that space, something unexpected happened. I didn’t lose my voice—I found a deeper one. I gained fresh perspectives, embraced new adventures, and finally had the room to explore parts of myself I had long neglected. What began as a quiet exit became a necessary season of creativity, healing, and personal transformation.

Rediscovering My Passion

Again, time away from blogging wasn’t part of the plan. But it turned out to be exactly what I needed. Stepping back gave me space to reflect, heal, and reconnect with the original purpose behind DateYourselfGirl. This platform was never just about dating tips or love stories—it was always about self-discovery, self-accountability, and self-love. And in the last year, I had to live that truth for myself in a deeper, more personal way.

Pictured: Tracey Bonner, DYG CEO Photo by: Blake Martin

🌱 Reconnecting with MY Joy

During my time off, I intentionally leaned into activities that brought me peace and joy—some familiar, others new. I rediscovered my love of reading, and it’s been soul-filling. One standout book I highly recommend is The Personal Librarian by Heather Terrell and Victoria Christopher Murray. It’s a powerful story of a woman navigating love, legacy, and identity. Trust me—you'll thank me later.

🧠 Mental Health, Accountability & Growth

I also continued my routine counseling sessions, which have been instrumental in helping me stay grounded and accountable. There’s something transformative about doing the inner work—facing the mirror, unpacking the baggage, and choosing healing every single day.

💜 Purpose through Service & Sisterhood

One of the most impactful decisions I made was joining a community service organization. Giving back reminded me of the bigger picture—of how we’re all connected, and how service can be its own form of healing. At the same time, I reconnected with my college roommates, and we’ve now become each other’s travel partners, cheerleaders, and sisters in adventure. That kind of sisterhood is rare—and I cherish it deeply.

🎭 Creative Fire Reignited

Creatively, I’ve been blessed beyond words. I returned to the stage to perform in Intimate Apparel by Lynn Nottage a beautifully written play about a woman who experiences both love, loss, and self discovery. The role spoke directly to my spirit—because I, too, know that journey intimately. And then… the universe surprised me with a dream come true. I traveled to Europe (Malta) to shoot a feature film. Yes, you read that right! A powerful reminder that our gifts will always make room for us—even after a pause.

💪🏼 Health & Hard Lessons

But perhaps the most significant part of this journey was learning to navigate life with Osteoarthritis. Living with chronic pain and injury has tested me—physically, emotionally, mentally. It’s been humbling and, at times, incredibly frustrating. But it also taught me how to listen to my body, protect my peace, and prioritize rest without guilt.

So yes, I stepped away. But not because I lost the passion—because I needed to refill my cup. And in doing so, I came back to myself. My unplanned hiatus helped me reconnect with the real reason I started DateYourselfGirl in the first place: to honor the journey—especially when it's messy, uncertain, and unfolding in silence. I’m returning to this space with renewed passion and purpose. I’m more excited than ever to share my journey—the highs, the heartbreaks, the healing, and the deep desire for love… starting with the love I continue to cultivate within myself. I’m returning to this space with more clarity, more compassion, and more purpose than ever before. Because before we can pour into others, we must first pour into ourselves. And now, I return not as someone who failed to keep up—but as someone who chose herself, who honored her limits, and who comes back with a renewed mind and spirit. I hope this inspires you to do the same—whatever that looks like for you...and as always remember to DateYourselfGirl!