a day to disconnect

When my children were younger, we would mark one day every other week on our summer calendar as 'unplugged day'.  They weren't allowed to use anything that plugs in, anything.  They whined at first but quickly looked forward to those days (I called them our real days) because those were the days when they did stuff.

Lately I have found that all things 'plugged in' bring big distractions to my creative process, my focus.  All it takes is for the phone to ring or my email notification signal to sound and, whether I respond or not, I'm already distracted.  I need to prove to myself that I can, for at least one day, step away and disconnect.  One day.

What to do with a day of no blog-surfing, no television, no phone calls?  Some ideas . . .

• Imagine an art gallery called and asked you to bring a piece by to exhibit; that should push and stretch your creativity.  What you will end up with is a piece that at the very least you'll be proud to hang in your home.
• Finish some or all of the kits you've purchased, those you had to have but they sit unopened/unfinished on your shelf.
• Create a piece or a few that you will send in for publication consideration to a magazine.  I promise you will never be in a magazine if you don't submit something.
• Make cards.  Make cards for birthdays, celebrations, occasions, everything.  Pile up a big pile and then you will have cards on hand.  I've done this before and let me tell you, it's worth it!
• Journal.  Write, write, write.  Pull out a box of photos and write something for as many as you can.  Get lost in the process of it.
• Pull out all those magazines where you've marked projects you'd really like to make for gifts or for yourself, your home.  Get started.
• Make it a technique day.  All of us have techniques that we'd like to try or perfect (that dang soldering still gives me fits).  Use this day to practice to perfection one technique or to learn several new ones.
• Play and make art all day with your kids.
• Take your camera out and snap photos all day.  Try out all the settings, learn new techniques, practice being amazing behind the lens.

Notice the trend in all the above?  At the end of the day, you have something to show for your day.  Blog-surfing is fun and inspiring, but at the end of the day do you ever think that maybe-just-maybe you could've done something a little more substantial with your time?

So, think this over.  If you plan to join me one day this week (any day that works for you), drop me a comment and let me know.  Then post on your blog and challenge your readers to do the same if you'd like. 

Some thoughts:  Don't place too-high expectations on yourself; relax and roll with it, no pressure.  If your workspace is completely trashed (like mine), try to straighten up the night before so you won't have to spend half a day cleaning up.  Music is something you may want to make an exception for; if you're highly inspired by music as you create, play it.  If you're a working girl, you may want to set aside two evenings instead of one full day.  I plan to completely unplug the computer and the phone...just running over now and then to check emails is still a big distraction; remember, the idea is to focus and immerse in the creative process.

Next Monday, let's all come back together and post photos of what we did with our unplugged day on our blogs.  That'll be fun, don't you think?

Ready, set, let's do this! :)

Comments

[Kristie]

OK I want to do this but I have questions. LOL
By unplugged does that mean I can't make coffee? And what about cooking dinner? My stove is electric, thus it is plugged in. lol
Cell phone isn't plugged in technically so, not sure hubby will "buy" that using it is a no-no.

You mentioned soldering. Doesn't that plug in? Mine does. ;)

I get what you are saying is that the real purpose of this is to spend a day away from the TV and computer, and the video games. Just wondering exactly how strictly unplugged you mean beyond that?

I know that came across a bit sarcastic but I seriously want to know if you abandon ALL plug items, as in all??

[Sue]

What an awesome idea! I am amazed at how life brings me to people, places, ideas and the connection is so electric...this is one of those instances. Thank you!

[Stacey from Two Writing Teachers]

This is a super idea. Will mention to my husband! :)

[kate]

i have been doing this for about 6 years actually. after my second child was born i noticed things getting really busy and that my two year old and i needed some down time. so i created "pajama day". we never make appt.s on that day, answer the phone, no play dates, and no one is allowed to get dressed in "real" clothes. we play playdough, paint, puzzles, read, dance to music, and it has been the best of times for our family. i now have 3 children and the baby is 4yrs old. with her brothers in school we count the days down until "pj day". she is a future scrapbooker so we have lots of artsy time. LOVE THAT YOU BROUGHT THIS TO THE BLOGGING WORLD AND MAY OTHERS BE BLESSED WITH THIS IDEA

[Design for Mankind]

Oh gracious-- I found this through the sweet Ali Edwards and love the idea. Thanks for challenging each of us to have our own version of the unplugged day--- I'm definitely on board.

Thank you SO much, dear. And while I'm at it, your work is OH so lovely.

[Lisa Pate]

Thankyou!

For encouraging me to turn off, and tune out to what is not eternal :)

I now turn off my laptop on friday nights, I don't even glance at email, forums and other things that take me away from the most impostant things - my family.

Thankyou for the reminder

[Jeanne]

I love this idea Rebecca!
xo
jeanne

[Blessdscraps]

I love the "unplugged" idea! I am going to do that with my girls this summer and hope to do it for me too.

[Beetlegirl]

I just stumbled upon your blog, but this is exactly the variety of inspiration I currently need. I have been meaning to spend an entire afternoon playing with embroidery stitches, and I think that is exactly what I will do. So, thank you.

[Beetlegirl]

I just stumbled upon your blog, but this is exactly the variety of inspiration I currently need. I have been meaning to spend an entire afternoon playing with embroidery stitches, and I think that is exactly what I will do. So, thank you.

[Terri Pollhein]

I read this post and then held our own version of "unplugged day".

I am happy to report all the children and their parents survived! LOL
Terri