Anyone who has checked in recently has probably guessed this, but I have been meaning to make an “official” statement. So here it is: I’m taking an indefinite break from blogging.
Like most people with celiac or gluten sensitivity, I spend a lot of time thinking or talking about gluten—by necessity. Any time I eat anything ever, I have to think about gluten. I also work on gluten-free cookbooks in my day job. Plus, I take an experimental medication for celiac disease three times a day and report on my symptoms every night. All that adds up to a lot of time and energy spent in the pursuit of gluten freedom.
On top of that, I was spending a lot of time thinking about what my next blog post might be, writing the posts, editing them, sourcing images for them, promoting them, and reading and commenting on other blogs. All this was really enjoyable and I’m not complaining about it one bit. There is an amazing network of gluten-free blogs on this Internet of ours, and I loved being a part of it.
I was fortunate enough to be able to attend the second annual Food Allergy Bloggers Conference in Las Vegas this September, and I have felt guilty for not doing a write-up of it. It was such a good time and I got to meet so many bloggers I admire. I was there representing my company, but I still felt I had to explain my absence from blogging. As I ruefully laid out my reasoning, several people commented that they’d been through blogging burnout themselves.
I don’t know if my own burnout will be permanent, but I can say with confidence I won’t be blogging with any regularity in the near future. Right now I’m channeling my creative energies into other kinds of writing, reading way more books than I have for a while, rehearsing for a musical that goes up this week, and focusing on a whole bunch of other things.
This post is in no way intended to suggest that blogging about celiac and gluten is not a worthwhile pursuit. However, I’ve decided to step away from it, at least for now. I simply need the brain space for things other than celiac disease.
I’m proud of the writing I’ve done on this blog, and if you’re stopping by for the first time, I hope you’ll read, well, every single post, obviously. (Start with the good ones. May I recommend “Dear Gluten” part 1, part 2, and part 3?) And if you’re a gluten-free blogger yourself, carry on!
To everyone who has read and engaged with my posts: Your support has been invaluable to me and I’ll miss connecting with you perhaps more than anything else about blogging. Thank you for reading. Seriously.
Based on a Sprue Story 
Hi Molly! The Basic Batters family wishes you well in all of your endeavors! We are also moving on to our next chapter. Take care and we look forward to seeing you again online!
Thanks, Carrie! And very, very good luck to you, too!
All the best to you, Molly–so good to take care of yourself and do what’s right for you. I have had to slow down on blogging a little bit myself, and just wait for something I really feel like writing about to come to me. (I did succeed at making a gluten-free version of sourdough starter and English muffins you might want to check out. 🙂 ) I will miss your wit and candor, but I will also know they are being applied in new creative situations. I only wish you’d be posting some photos from the musical you are in. I bet you will be great! oxox
Molly: I’ve loved your well-written blogs. I understand, as I’m sure many other bloggers do, that blogging takes a great deal of time. I’ve cut back on my posts to work on other projects. If I want to contact you, will I be able to do that through your blog site? Good luck with all you do! Jennie
Molly, I understand. Health issues have kept my blog posts less frequent and I, too, have some projects that I want to get finished.
I truly have enjoyed all your blog posts and I wish you all the best!
I’ll miss your posts, but I understand your reasons for stepping back!
Lots of luck with all that you are pursuing and wishing you good health in your future!
Enjoy your break from blogging, and when you can, go to Beacon NY (there is a large modern art museum there if you need a cultural excuse) and go to Ellas Bellas for a lovely gluten free lunch, and take home some sourdough bread or a baguette or both. Ellas Bellas is completely gluten free, and on the main street in Beacon. Just don’t go on Mondays, they are closed.
Molly, most bloggers have ben there. You know the blogging community and your fans will always take you back with open arms. I hope you still consider participating in Meetup events. You are always welcome!
I meant “been there” and it’s Erin from the NYC Celiac Meetup!
Hi Molly,
You are an amazing person and you have helped so many through your blog. I know that life changes, but I hope that our paths are able to cross again in the future. I hope that the study is going well for you too. It’s been really nice to be able to interact with you the last few years through the internet.
I wish you the best on your journey!!!
Jess
Hi Molly, byeeeee and thank you for all the fun and effort you put into your blog. And I am wishing you well on the study, would love to hear about it when it is completed if not before, if you are ever so inclined. And hey, I found a source for dried GF certified beans AND lentils!
I totally get this and I’ve been there… wait, I am there?! I am sporadic at best these days, and I am also trying to focus on other kinds of writing, including starting a new blog that focuses on writing and my life, which includes but is not entirely about my family’s celiac.
I wish you the best of luck in all of your many endeavors! Selfishly I want to know all about your other writing projects 🙂 but truly, I’m very excited for you as your life expands and branches out. Good luck with the celiac study!
Best,
Dana
Hi Molly
I totally understand but will miss your posts! Good luck with your journey 🙂
Awwwwwww tear! I’ll miss your posts. But I understand. Still sad to see you go.
Why do you take meds for gluten free. I’ve had Celiac for nearly 20 years and just eat gluten-free and it’s going well.
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