Country artist Ella Langley recently shared why taking a short break from her busy career became one of the most important decisions she’s made for her mental and physical well-being.
During the first night of her back-to-back performances at Nashville’s Ryman Auditorium on November 6, the 26-year-old singer spoke candidly to fans about stepping away from the spotlight earlier this year.
Ella Langley Says Time Off Helped Her Reconnect With Herself
“I took a couple of weeks off this year, and I hadn’t really talked much about it,” Langley told the audience in a video later shared on Instagram. She explained that since graduating high school, music had always been her top priority — often even ahead of her own needs.
After years of constant touring and performing nearly every weekend, Langley and her band realized they were exhausted and no longer felt like themselves. “We looked in the mirror and didn’t recognize who we were anymore,” she admitted. “We were just tired. We needed a break.”
The pause turned out to be life-changing. Langley returned home and spent more time there than she had in years. She also purchased her first house and finally had the chance to slow down and reflect on how her career was shaping both her life and her family’s future.
“I can’t explain how much it changed me,” she said. “Going back home helped me find my roots again.”
According to Langley, the time away allowed her to reconnect with who she truly is. “I felt like I found myself in a way I never had before — and at the same time, I felt more like myself than I had in years.”
Announcing the Break to Fans
Earlier in the summer, the “You Look Like You Love Me” singer revealed on social media that she would be canceling several performances to focus on her health.
“The past few weeks have been tough,” she wrote in an August 11 Instagram statement. “I’ve been fighting sickness and feeling more run down than ever. After a lot of thought, I decided to take a couple of weeks to rest and focus on my health — mind, body, and heart.”
She emphasized the importance of listening to personal limits, adding that slowing down was necessary so she could fully show up for the moments ahead.
After taking the final weeks of August to rest and recharge, Langley returned to touring in September feeling refreshed and ready to perform again.