Lang-8.com is another site that allows you to interact with native Japanese speakers who can edit your work. Personally, I don't study Japanese unless I want to. It makes it a joyful process. I don't like doing things just because I feel like I have to, so I definitely wouldn't turn learning Japanese into something like that for me.
Also consider studying Japanese history, literature, and culture if you need a break from language studies. I have a ton of suggestions for classic Japanese literature that can be found in English translations. If history is your thing, you may want to read up or watch nonfiction historical works/documentaries. If you like monsters, Japanese culture has A TON, kinda like greek mythology. You could also just find an interesting article about Japan on wikipedia and keep clicking on related articles. Many articles have a link to the Japanese version on the left side, below the search box. Studying each of these things helps to fill out your understanding. When you decide (if ever) to go back to studying language, you can pull on this cultural references to help you understand the phrases and concepts once you understand the words :)