I've been blogging pretty much five days a week for the past two years. As a result, I've made new friends, amazing professional contacts, found a new job that I actually really enjoy, spoken at events in Germany and Austin and landed a book deal. I've put countless hours and my own money into building, designing and defending Ypulse (because I never filed my own trademark application, I wasn't able to get them to change their mark, even though I was live months before they were). Overall I think the blog has helped my writing to improve (as well as just keeping me writing), and the positive feedback I get is like a drug -- it's addictive. It's helped me to find and believe in my voice.

But...I need a break. Waking up at 5 or 5:30 Monday through Friday, spending three or more hours on the blog, then going to work until 7, coming home and feeling like a zombie, passing out around 10 every night, and then spending my weekends working on the book has been a recipe for burnout. I'm burnt out. I thought I could juggle and do it all, but as the book deadline approaches and my job at Current TV gets busier and busier, I have to say "uncle."

I'm going on hiatus beginning April 1 for at least a month, maybe more, to focus on getting the book done. Ypulse contributing editor Chet Gulland has heroically stepped up to the plate to fill in by posting every Monday and Wednesday. I'm hoping Karell will post one of those two days once a week as well. Jennifer just had a beautiful baby and may try to dig out from diapers to send a post here and there. Amanda just landed a new job and is on a steep learning curve right now. Hopefully we'll hear from her occasionally, too. I've asked Ypulse teen editors Katie and Julia to continue writing Digital Graffiti each week or as they call it "DG." And I plan to continue "Blogging the Book" on Fridays.

This means Ypulse will be updated (post April 1) Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays. Chet will continue to scour the Net for Essentials on Mondays and Wednesdays. Newsletter subscribers: You will get the newsletter three days a week.

I am already feeling the loss, but I know I have to do this for awhile so I can focus and bring my life back into balance. I plan on returning to some version of regular posting once I feel confident that the book is in a good place.

Posted by anastasia