It’s been almost a month now since I left AfterEllen.com, and I’m still getting used to the idea that I don’t have to scour the Hollywood trade sites every night for news, or watch every minor lesbian subplot on TV (although I have to admit, I didn’t mind watching Ella and the model on last week’s Melrose Place).

One of the things that pushed me into leaving was the realization that not only was I burned out, but this was actually hindering the site from being as good as it could be. As most writers will tell you, it takes a certain amount of emotional energy to write analytically, regardless of whether you’re writing a short blog post or a 3-page article (especially if you’re trying to make it entertaining at the same time). Trying to navigate the phalanx of Hollywood publicists, managers, and network executives to get information or an interview takes a toll, too.

Really, the excitement starts to wane after doing almost anything for over 7 years, especially 14 hours a day.

But being burned out meant I was doing less writing and chasing down interviews, which translated to less interesting content on the site — and that wasn’t OK with me.  I wanted the site to succeed, even if that meant I had to leave. (Also, I wanted some sleep, to read books again, and to experience this thing called a weekend that I’ve heard everyone rave about.)

The last month has only affirmed my decision. It’s been great to see all the good things happening on AfterEllen.com since I left — from the interviews Karman and the writers have lined up (many of which haven’t been published yet), to Trish’s Morning Brew column (which I love and wish I’d thought of myself), to the interesting entertainment coverage they have in the works that won’t be published for awhile.

I talk to Karman and Trish a few times a week, but mostly just to answer random technical questions, catch up on the latest lesbian entertainment gossip, or just to say hi.

Turns out, they don’t need me all that much — and I couldn’t be happier (or more well-rested). Now that I get to be a guest at the party, instead of hosting it, it’s fun again! I still tend to automatically scour for typos (a habit that will probably take me years to undue), but now when I read AfterEllen.com’s blog posts and articles, I just get to enjoy them with everyone else.

Not that I have a ton of time to do that, unfortunately — I’m hard at work again, on an entertainment-related site still in development that Lori and I were recruited to run.

Yes, it was a short break. But my new job doesn’t require writing or interviewing anyone.

And for the first time in years, watching bad lesbian movies is entirely optional.