Might take a break

Estimate how long of a break you feel like you need, multiply it by three, and then take MORE than that. We all love your content, but we want your time in the lab to bring as much joy to you as it does to us. Happiness is number-one.

Enjoy your break

Brendan Upton

I'm a big fan of mental health breaks. Getting burnt out sucks. I'm certainly happy to keep paying on Patreon anyway. Break time is part of what we pay for.

Brendan Upton

You do you man - a good work life balance is important and nobody's gonna benefit from you working yourself to death.

I, for one, wouldn't mind paying for a month even if you take a break.

araknofennisti

Fair enough, brother. Do what you need to do, and don't work yourself to death. We'll be happy to see what you have after some much needed rest. Take care!

Neuroskynet

That is totally fine with me. I always take a short vacation in February to get away from the New England winter. 80h+ a week at work plus crappy weather equals low mood. So I go to the Caribbean for a week, get some beach time, scuba/snorkeling, good restaurants and then I'm ready for another 6 months of trudging away.

Silviu T

Take a break, you deserve it! You've put in so much in setting up the new lab. Everyone deserves a rest. I don't even mind if you charge me for the month, it's worth the wait.

Yeah it really doesn't count as a break. I'll try to take a week!

Nile Red

Consider taking a week off work too if you can. Taking time away from only NileRed but continuing to work full time isn't a real break. Everyone needs rest.

Brian Gordon

I do suffer from socal anxiety etc so stay strong Red Nile I know what it like to have that too.

Daniel Blake Shoemaker

And also, when you're thinking about coming back to NileRed and doing some fun things again, do it because you want to, and do it because you enjoy it. Don't come back until you are ready to do fun things(tm), and have a good time doing it(tm).

Ben Naylor

I just want to point out the obvious here, but you need to feel good about taking a break. As you can see from all the comments, everyone is supporting this. I've been close to breaking at the start of this year, and for me it was because I thought people were relying on me too much. Please don't get the impression we rely on you, and please don't feel like you owe us anything for the Patreon money. I personally donate because I get entertainment value from watching your videos, and I feel it goes to a better cause than throwing it somewhere else. Everyone gets paid vacations, so you should too! What might help is doing some inward reflection, and think about what you enjoy doing. If you need some help, just flick a message in. Legitimate offer from a random internet stranger who's had some heavy work loads, and has come out the other side smiling!

Ben Naylor

I might not sleep in too much, but the good food part sounds nice

Nile Red

I'm slowly learning how to do that. This will be my first real "voluntary" break. All the other ones were encouraged by others who wanted me to go on vacation with them. So, at least I'm getting better at recognizing it and taking action.

Nile Red

To be fair, I haven't stopped working. I've just had an insane amount of behind the scene stuff, which took priority. But you are right, I did find I would procrastinate the editing and shift my focus to something else that needed to be done.

Nile Red

What did you do to recover? I find that I have learned to get over it faster, but I end up just getting back into the same cycle again

Nile Red

Dude definitely take it while you can because as you get older it just gets harder and harder then near impossible. Believe me I was working 90 to 105 hours a week with my own company and raising 6 kids for damn near 10 years straight until I finally burnt out, and I burnt out bad, real bad. So it's good that you're able to identify as well as take advantage of the opportunity of a well-deserved break. like others have said will be here when you get back

I saw this one coming before you did, your content dropped. Not the quality but things started slowing down. I felt like the procrastination engine was kicking in. Break time man, take it. Go for it. Reset. Forgot about being NileRed for awhile. :) We'll be here.

Brian Reddeman

I agree with everyone else; take the time off to recharge your mind and keep the meter running; you'll return and do even better.

No one benefits if you burn yourself out. Taking time to rest your body and brain is an important part of a good work ethic. There’s a toxic culture here in the US that vacation is some sort of selfish action. It’s not selfish, it’s an important part of staying healthy. You gotta be able to get away and take breaks. Do it man! Periodic breaks and vacations are necessary and no one should feel guilty for taking them!

Joel

Definitely, a break is deserved. I'm not too far away, if you ever want to go for a beer/food/whatever to vent about some stuff or just to take a break where you don't feel like you're neglecting your work. On me!

Sean Coates

Yes, I agree Mental health is very important.

Daniel Blake Shoemaker

Mental health breaks are super important, take a break and just sleep in and make yourself something good to eat.

Thanks, I appreciate it! I'm still figuring out my plan, but I'll probably just pause it. That way everyone its good for everything.

Nile Red

You're long overdue for a break. Take and enjoy it with no reservations. We're pretty understanding here. Plus, we like quality over quantity anyways. :)

Take a break, burnout is no joke! Feel free to not pause my charge as well. I think I can speak for everyone when I say we appreciate all you do, and you absolutely deserve a break.

Nick95

I've just been in a burnout cycle for a long time now. I need to actually just break it once and for all.

Nile Red

Please do! Burnout is awful, and much easier to prevent than to escape.

Catherine

I also would not mind. Take care !

You've gotta take care of your mental heath, man - enjoy your vacation! I know I don't speak for everyone, but I would not mind if you kept Patreon as it is. You're putting so much work in to make content for us all, I think it's perfectly reasonable you should still "draw a salary" during your break. Rest up and feel better!

You should 100% take a break, your mental health is priority #1, we're here for you!

Take a break! You deserve it!

PseudsPie