Blogging about cards has been one of my go-to hobbies for the past eleven years. It's been an activity that has provided me a place to document hobby memories, talk about trading cards, and best of all... interact with all of you who take time out of your busy lives to read my posts.
Normally... the act of sitting down in front of my computer and writing about cards is enjoyable, but lately... the passion hasn't been there. With each passing week, I started fixating more and more on the amount of hours I spend writing and scanning... instead of focusing on quality content for myself and all of you.
That's why it's time for me to take a break from the blog. I've been contemplating this decision for a few months, but was worried about losing followers. However this week I've decided mental health needs to come before blog views and comment counts.
Is this the end of the blog? Probably not. It's a big part of my life and I don't see myself closing up shop and walking away. Do I have an idea when I'll come back? No. Maybe next week or maybe next year.
Will I continue to collect and be a part of the blogging community? Of course. Just because I'm burned out on writing posts doesn't mean I don't enjoy reading yours. Plus the additional free time should allow me to sort a few 5,000ct. monster boxes and finally reorganize my collection.
So a huge thank you to all of you who have supported me and this blog over the years. This past Tuesday marked the 11th anniversary. According to Hallmark, I'm suppose to celebrate with some steel:
1996 Leaf Preferred Steel #46
This was the first product I thought of when I saw the word "steel". Back in 1996, Leaf inserted one of these Steel cards into each pack of Leaf Preferred.
Does the protective peel distract you? Maybe I'll remove it. Maybe I won't.
Can't have my final post feature a single card... so here are five athletes who wore/wear #11 on their jersey:
Until I return from this break... happy Thursday and sayonara!
1994 Pinnacle Museum Collection #12
2012-13 Panini Classics Signatures #113
2009 Bowman DP&P WBC Stars Gold #BDPW2
2009-10 Panini R&S Retired Team Patch Signatures #17
2007 UD Artifacts Photo Shoot Flashback Fabrics #PSF-LF
I'm all about mental health, and if this is what you need, I'm all for it. We'll miss you until the (hopefully) inevitable triumphant return! My break lasted for 6 years, here's hoping we hear from you faster than that. Enjoy the hobby!!
ReplyDeleteCongrats on 11 and enjoy a well deserved break! We'll be here whenever you're back, no worries there.
ReplyDeletecongrats on 11 years and congrats to maintaining your mental health...that is super important and something to never overlook. i've enjoyed reading your posts over the years and will continue to do so when/if you log back on.
ReplyDeleteA well deserved break Fuji. I wish you well and hope to see you back when you're ready.
ReplyDeleteI have always enjoyed reading your blog, Fuji. Whatever comes next in your relationship with the hobby and the community, I hope it brings you happiness.
ReplyDeleteBut always peel the protective films.
I'll be sad to not see new posts from you, but I really understand how the rest of our life has to take precedence over blogging. I hope you enjoy the newfound time and are able to put it to some good use!
ReplyDeleteAnd don't worry about losing followers, we'll all be here if/when you come back!
Congrats Mark on 11! I will miss the daily read, but rest assured I will be here when you return. BTW, I'm getting a good stack brewing for you.
ReplyDeleteI knew something was up. You didn't SOUND happy.
ReplyDeleteRecuperate for as long as it takes. But you better come back!
I hope she's good in bed. :)
ReplyDeleteCongrats on 11 years...take all the time off you need.
ReplyDeleteWow, 11 years... that's just awesome! Nobody deserves a break from blogging more than you, so enjoy your much earned, and apparently much needed, respite. And don't worry about losing followers, I can guarantee that nobody is going anywhere!
ReplyDeleteCongrats on making it for a decade and a year. I will certainly miss reading your blog and all of the thought provoking questions at the end, but it really comes down to you and doing what is best for you. I hope you are able to get some rest and relaxation and get what you need while you are taking a break.
ReplyDeleteEnjoy your break. Take it from me, the community will welcome you back with open arms even if you take a 5 year break like I did. Godspeed.
ReplyDeleteYep, like everyone else said - take your time and come back when you are ready. We'll be here waiting! Also, nice Larkin card!
ReplyDeleteDo what you gotta do! Hopefully see you soon.
ReplyDeleteI’ll miss reading your blog, especially the questions you ask at the end.
ReplyDeleteI hope you enjoy your “time off” and come back refreshed.
Take some time off from things and come back when you are ready to dive into things again - your blog has to be at the top as one of the most diverse and thoughtful ones in the card blogging community.
ReplyDeleteGood luck,I will miss reading your blog and answering your questions.
ReplyDeleteHappy 11th and we’ll be here when you return! You helped build the sports card blogging community so you’ve earned this well deserved break!
ReplyDeleteI will waiting anxiously for your return. I will still send you stuff.
ReplyDeleteI'll miss this week on blogging, but we all know we have to take care of ourselves first...well all be here.
ReplyDeleteItself find it getting harder and harder to post, as my physical health continues to decline.
As always, thanks for all you've done for us...take care, and get well.
Sorry to read that, I enjoy your posts. I've been kind of forcing it lately myself for the past year or so. Hope you come back some day.
ReplyDeleteReading your blog has been a nice pick-me-up on many a bad day in recent years. Thanks for everything you've done for our corner of the hobby. You'd be on my "card blogger Mount Rushmore" no question. All the best with the break! Hope it does a world of good and you come roaring back before too long. :)
ReplyDeleteEnjoy your rest Fuji, I appreciate your contributions to our hobby so much. Hope you are able to recharge the batteries, and if/when you decide to start posting again I'll be reading every word!
ReplyDeleteHave a nice break! And I really hope this isn't the end of the blog, because it's always fun reading your posts.
ReplyDeleteSorry to see you go but mental health is very important. Hopefully you can check in from time to time...even just a "hey, look how awesome the Padres are!" See you soon!
ReplyDeleteCongrats on your 11th Blogiversary. As you know from reading some of my posts I totally understand the need for taking a break from the blogging. Glad to hear you will be lurking and still reading stuff (OH great now I need to insure my barely once-a-month posts are half way interesting) Enjoy the Break-Time. We'll keep the light on for you.
ReplyDeleteEnjoy your break. Hope to see your blog up again soon.
ReplyDeleteEnjoy the break. Will be here when you get back
ReplyDeleteSorry to see you go, but there are much more important things. Take good care of yourself and your family. Let me know if there's anything I can do to help. Be well.
ReplyDeleteEnjoy the time off, we'll be happy when you come back!
ReplyDeletePeace brother!
ReplyDeleteWell deserved, Fuji. I post once a week on my blog, so I can only imagine the effort it takes to post as much as you do here! Enjoy the break.
ReplyDeleteTake it easy, Mark and I'll look forward to the day, if it comes, that you blog again.
ReplyDeleteHappy 11th anniversary, Fuji! I've walked away from my blogs plenty of times. It's actually a good idea and feels so much better when you finally get back to posting again. Take care, buddy 🙏👍
ReplyDeleteI hear ya... I've been having struggles myself lately, then I get a bunch of ideas, and then I struggle again.
ReplyDeleteWe'll be here when you get back. :-)
Good move, it's better to take a break than to get burned out. Don't worry about followers, we'll be here when you get back (we're counting on that).
ReplyDeleteYou know, I am in the same boat honestly. I have been for over a year. Burnout on here is real. But, I know that both of us are not alone either as I have seen a few bloggers mention this. For me, I just need to pull the trigger and actually enjoy my cards and organize stacks instead of spending my free time here. Having that never missed a day streak is what keeps me going. It shouldn't be that way.
ReplyDeleteHappy blogversary and hope to see you back. Will be waiting!
Enjoy the break. This is supposed to be fun, not an obligation. Will miss seeing you pop up in my feed reader though.
ReplyDeleteAppreciate the kind words... and for the support. I actually woke up and for a couple of minutes actually thought about writing a TWiB post. But it obviously wouldn't have been the wisest decision. That being said... I'm off to check my blogroll and catch up on some blogs right now. See y'all around.
ReplyDeleteAll the best!
ReplyDeleteI have been thinking a lot about this lately too, Fuji. Breaks are good, I have taken a few along the way. I will miss reading your posts and wish you nothing but the best.
ReplyDeleteWe will see you soon Fuji. Enjoy the break!
ReplyDeleteFuji, my friend - enjoy life. We understand needing a break. Hope you return refreshed and ready for the next 11 years. LOL!
ReplyDeleteI'm slowly easing back into blogging (which means I've written one post and am thinking of doing others in the near future). You're top 3 all-time blogger at least, so we'll wait patiently...
ReplyDeleteLate again of course. I understand. My blog has been on life support for years. You always have great stuff. Love to see it when you feel like it. We started at around the same time. It amazes me that so many of us are still doing this at all after 10+ years.
ReplyDeleteEnjoy the break! I did the same thing a couple of times (almost a full year once) and it was awesome! The cards will always be there when you decide it's time to get back at it.
ReplyDelete