View source for Wikipedia:Wikibreak

{{short description|Wikipedia essay}}
{{redirect|WP:BREAK|the how-to guide on the usage of line breaks|Help:Line-break handling|the essay on the breakability of Wikipedia|Wikipedia:Can't break it}}
{{distinguish|WP:BLOCK}}
{{essay|WP:WB|WP:WBRK|WP:WIKIBREAK|WP:BREAK|WP:ZZZ|WP:WikiVacation}}
[[File:Pulvermacher_belt.jpg|thumb|right|upright=1.2|Even the best Wikipedians need a break sometimes.]]
A '''wikibreak''', '''wikiholiday''', '''wikivacation''', or '''leave of wiki-absence''' is a period when even a [[Wikipedia:Wikipediholic|wikipediholic]] must be parted from [[Wikipedia]], although presumably only temporarily.

The pain involved varies from [[Wikipedia:Wikipedians|Wikipedian]] to Wikipedian. Some find it easy to endure, whereas others find the separation agonizing. Often the latter find themselves grasping at any opportunity to go online "just to check [[Wikipedia:Goings-on|what's happening]]".

The degree of coercion also varies. Some remarkable individuals are actually capable of taking a ''voluntary'' wikiholiday: they are to be admired for their strength of character. Some people have to [[Wikipedia:WikiProject User scripts/Scripts/WikiBreak Enforcer|enforce]] their departure for their own good. Others still are forced into it through circumstances beyond their control: it is often at such times that [[Wikipedia:Wikipediholic|wikiholics]] discover their condition.

Wikibreaks, and reducing activity while on Wikipedia, can reflect a significant issue if a person is going through serious difficulties.

==Generic templates==
===The [[template:wikibreak|wikibreak]] template===
When taking a wikibreak, it is a good idea to inform your wikifriends that you are not active and indicate when you might be back. You can use the wikibreak template for this purpose. Let's say [[User:Example|Example]] wants to go on wikibreak until Christmas. They would then place {{tlx|wikibreak|[[User:Example|Example]]| on December 25.}} on the top of their user or talk pages, and it produces:
{{wikibreak|[[User:Example|Example]]| on December 25.}}

=== The [[Template:wikibreak-in-house|wikibreak-in-house]] template ===
{{tl|wikibreak-in-house}} produces:
{{wikibreak-in-house}}

===The [[template:wikibreakSwitch|WikibreakSwitch template]]===
To keep a template that you can switch on or off, or even convert into many of the others shown below, use {{tlp|WikibreakSwitch|<status>}} where <status> may be OFF, ON, LONG, etc.

===The [[Template:tmbox|tmbox template]]===
If your message isn't covered by any of the templates on this page, you can use the generic {{tl|tmbox}} template to create a similar-looking box containing your text and one or two images.

==Specific case templates==

===Busy===
;The [[template:busy|busy]] template:

An alternative for those weaning themselves more slowly from Wikipedia is the 'Busy' template, which is designed for those who are being overtaken by "real" life (if you have one) work. Wikipediholics can use this template to assuage the guilt associated with long breaks from the Wiki. If [[User:Example|Example]] were using this template, they would place either {{tlp|busy|[[User:Example|Example]]}} or {{tlp|busy|<nowiki>~~~</nowiki>}} at the top of their user page:
{{busy|[[User:Example|Example]]}}

A topicon is also available [[Template:Busy topicon]]. Use <code> <nowiki>{{Busy topicon}}</nowiki> </code> to use it.

;The [[Template:Off and On WikiBreak|off and on wikibreak]] template:

There are times when one is having trouble being able to consistently make contributions for some reason. If you are inconsistently able to make edits, add {{tl|Off and On WikiBreak}} to your userpage, which will produce:
{{Off and On WikiBreak}}

;The [[Template:Moving|moving]] template:
When you move to a new location there is no help for it; you have to stop editing until your computer is found or edit from public computers. {{tl|Moving}} produces:
{{Moving}}
Name auto adjusts as well as width.

===Education===
;The [[Template:At school|at school]] template:

When school beckons, use {{tl|At school}} to get:
{{At school}}
'''Note: This template uses parameters and has a syntax. [[Template:At school/doc|Click here]] for a quick look.'''

;The [[template:exams|exams]] template:
Another template for those who have exams coming up soon, to add it just add {{tl|exams}} at the top of your user page:
{{exams}}

Alternatively, you can use {{tlp|exams|date}} to specify the date that your exams finish. That will yield:
{{exams|date}}

===Health===
;The [[template:User health inactive|sick/ill]] template:

For those of us who are sick or ill and would thus be partially inactive, Wikipedians can use {{tl|user health inactive}} to indicate this.
{{user health inactive}}

;The [[Template:User mental health|mental health]] template:

For those of us who are struggling with [[mental illness]] or [[Psychology|psychological]] problems and would thus be partially inactive, Wikipedians can use {{tl|User mental health}} to indicate this.
{{User mental health}}

'''Note: DO NOT put this on another person's userpage without their consent, as this is potentially [[Wikipedia:Libel|libelous]] (not to mention cruel).'''

;The [[Template:User stress|stress]] template:
{{tl|User stress}} produces:
{{User stress}}

===Vacation===
;The [[Template:vacation|vacation]] template
{{tlx|vacation}} produces:
{{vacation|Example user}}

{{tlx|vacation|holiday{{=}}yes}} produces:
{{vacation|Example user|holiday=yes}}

{{tlx|vacation|<nowiki>[[User:John Doe|John]]</nowiki>|from{{=}}{{#time:d F Y|now - 1 week}}|until{{=}}{{#time:d F Y|now + 1 week}}}} produces:
{{vacation|[[User:Example|John]]|from={{#time:d F Y|now - 1 week}}|until={{#time:d F Y|now + 1 week}}}}
;The [[Template:out of town|out of town]] template
{{tl|out of town}} produces:
{{out of town}}

{{tlx|out of town|fishing{{=}}yes}} produces:
{{out of town|fishing=yes}}

===Technical related===
;The [[Template:Computer death|computer death]] template:

{{tl|Computer death}} produces:
{{Computer death}}

;The [[Template:No Internet|no internet access]] template:

{{tl|No Internet}} produces:
{{No Internet}}

;The [[Template:No-power|no power]] template:

{{tl|No-power}} produces:
{{No-power}}

;The [[Template:Storm-break|storm break]] template:

{{tlx|Storm-break|storm{{=}}foo}} produces:
{{Storm-break|storm=foo}}

===Grieving===
If you are suffering a loss and you are grieving, you may use {{tl|User grieving}}.
{{User grieving}}

===Other===
;The [[Template:bonked|bonked]] template:
{{Shortcut|WP:BONKED|WP:HTW|WP:HITTHEWALL|WP:SUPERBONKED}}
{{tl|bonked}} produces:
{{bonked}}

The {{tlp|bonked|superbonked{{=}}yes}} can be used when you have been wikibonked so much that you will have to leave Wikipedia.
{{bonked|superbonked=yes}}

;The [[Template:User contempt|contempt]] template:
{{tl|User contempt}} produces:
{{User contempt}}

;The [[Template:discouraged|discouraged]] template:
For those users who have been disheartened by the wikiprocess through failure, edit wars, bullying, and other acts of not assuming good faith towards the user. They may also be suffering from a sense of [[WP:Wikipedia is failing|wikifailure]]. Wikipedians displaying {{tl|Discouraged}} may periodically check their watchlist, but will not engage in editing. Wikipedians will typically return to their regular contributing activity once their faith in the wikicommunity has been restored or their existential wikistress has been resolved.

{{stripcats|{{Discouraged}}}}

;The [[Template:User frustrated|frustrated]] template:
{{tl|User frustrated}} produces:
{{User frustrated}}

;The [[Template:personal issues|personal issues]] template:
{{tl|Personal issues}} produces:
{{Personal issues}}

==Semi-wikibreak==
{{humor|section=yes|WP:SWB}}
A semi-wikibreak is a Wikibreak taken by Wikipedians who are not fully on a wikibreak but are not fully editing. There are many possible reasons for a  ''semi''-wikibreak, such as:
{{div col|colwidth=30em}}
* busy at work or school
* going on vacation
* new puppy isn't housebroken yet
* toilet got backed up
* slow internet connection
* boyfriend or girlfriend needs more attention
* kids need affection/cereal/ride to sports practice (Note: order may vary)
* Super Bowl
* AL/NL Pennant Race
* Stanley Cup Finals
* chase for the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series
* March Madness
* NBA Playoffs
* FIFA World Cup
* new ''[[xkcd]]'' strip
* sharing computer with others
* ran out of coffee
* reading paper-bound volumes (apparently called "[[book]]s")
* partying
* computer is broken
* tired of [[Wikipedia]]
* sleeping
* Indian Premier League
* UEFA Champions League
{{div col end}}
{{tlp|Wikibreak|type{{=}}semi}} produces:

{{Wikibreak|type=semi}}

==Retirement==
=== The [[template:retired|retired]] template ===
We hope this never happens, but sometimes good things must come to an end. If you are retiring from Wikipedia you can use the {{tl|retired}} template.
{{Retired}}

{{tlp|Retired|EXAMPLE}} produces:

{{Retired|EXAMPLE}}

=== The [[Template:Semi-retired|Semi-retired]] template ===
{{tl|Semi-retired}} produces:
{{Semi-retired}}

== See also ==
{{Wikipedia glossary}}
* [[Meta:Wikibreak]]
* [[Wikipedia:WikiProject User scripts/Scripts/WikiBreak Enforcer|Wikibreak enforcer]]
* [[Wikipedia:Sleeper accounts]]
* [[:Category:Wikibreak templates]]
* [[Wikipedia:Rage quit]]

{{Wikipediholism|show}}
{{Wikibreak templates}}
{{Wikipedia accounts|collapsed}}
[[Category:Wikipedia culture]]
[[Category:Wikipedia essays about competence]]