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! :)
I'm in. Although with my kids, It's probably going to be limited to an afternoon...although, maybe Friday all day. Got to check with the daddy...
Thank you for this reminder!
Posted by: Joy | 18 February 2008 at 09:07
What a brilliant and wonderful idea! Not only is it great to unplug and create but what a great idea to unplug and go outside and live life which I tend to forget about because I'm stuck to the computer or glued to the tv by getting out I'm reinspired and I have new photos, thoughts and ideas to create around.
Posted by: Danielle | 18 February 2008 at 10:21
Great idea! I will do this on Friday this week, I really need a distraction free day!
Posted by: Francine | 18 February 2008 at 12:31
LOVE this idea and am definitely going to do it this week and enjoy just being creative. I am going to share this with the groups I belong to also and see if they would like to join me. Thanks!
Posted by: Tracy Schmitt | 18 February 2008 at 12:44
I have to be plugged in everyday at work, but I can do this on Saturday the 23rd. All day. I will simply leave the laptop at home when we go to the tournament of Molly's team. I am excited about this.
Posted by: teresa | 18 February 2008 at 12:58
I just love this idea, thank you so much Rebecca. Posting it on my blog too.
Posted by: Jess | 18 February 2008 at 13:23
Rebecca - such a GREAT idea. The kids are off from school and towards the end of the week we are going to the in-laws house in Rhode Island. It always bothers me when we go away and the TV or computer comes on. I'm hoping to make one of those days unplugged days. Thanks for the inspiration!
Posted by: betsy | 18 February 2008 at 14:20
Good idea...
I do so want to learn to solder jewelry...but alas..no one to teach in my area. I may just have to jump in on my own and try it.
Looking forward to seeing the fruits of the unplugged days around bloggyland.
Posted by: Dawn | 18 February 2008 at 16:45
That is an awesome idea. One I plan to institute with my own children. I'd be glad to play along with you this week!
Posted by: anna | 18 February 2008 at 18:01
This is a great idea. I'm taking tomorrow (Tuesday) as my day. Oh, where to start? It'll be fun to check back with everyone and see what was accomplished.
Such a great idea, Rebecca.
Lorrie
But I think I may have to use my sewing machine, which is electric.
Posted by: Lorrie | 18 February 2008 at 18:32
ooooh, sounds like a wonderful challenge!
i agree with you whole-heartedly!
i have already kind of been staying away from "technology"
blessings
jen
Posted by: Jen | 18 February 2008 at 18:47
"And the true realism, always and everywhere, is that of the poets: to find out where joy resides, and give it a voice far beyond singing. For to miss the joy is to miss all." -- Robert Louis Stevenson
Thanks for reminding us to seek our "joy".
Posted by: Rhonda Markham | 18 February 2008 at 19:35
Definitely I'm in! I'm going to pick two evenings since I'm on my PC all day at work. How about Wednesday and Thursday evenings? Sounds great.
Posted by: Holly | 18 February 2008 at 19:51
Hello,
I really love your work. Great talent and congrats! I sew you on Artful Blogging.
*I really love your digital frames, would you mine letting me know where to get them? Do you design them? Sell them?
Thank you so much.
Gabriela
Posted by: Gabriela Delworth | 18 February 2008 at 20:36
Your challenge is so timely! This past month has been especially hard for me personally and the thought of "unplugging" for one day somehow resonates to my very core. Unplugging for me means a day of feeling less overwhelmed and being able to carve out a small space just for me. Thanks for the reminder that I need (if just for one day) to take the time to notice the small and seemingly insignificant things I tend to take for granted.
Posted by: Beth | 18 February 2008 at 20:37
I am choosing Wednesday! (I need to use tomorrow to clean up my space-good suggestion) I have been meaning to set aside creating time but have never gotten around to it. Seems I spend all my time "picking up" or doing laundry. Cleaning house with 4 kids is like brushing your teeth while eating oreos, I just need to ignore the messiness and create.
Posted by: http://craftinsomniac.typepad.com/ | 18 February 2008 at 20:38
I love it! I will choose Friday as our 'unplugged' day. My girls will love it and it will be really good for me too. Thanks Rebecca for the suggestion.
Posted by: halloweenheather | 18 February 2008 at 22:37
I am already excited to unplug! I had just been thinking I spend way too much time on the computer. Now it's time to get serious about turning it off! Hats off to you I need an extra push of motivation.....
Posted by: Lisa | 18 February 2008 at 23:54
WOW you may have just changed our summers forever! What a neat idea and I so look forward to taking unplugged days! We always do unplugged dinners as a family but whole days will be new. Thanks for the inspriration for special family days!! You have a wonderful blog here glad I found it!
Stacey
Posted by: All Moments Remembered | 18 February 2008 at 23:58
YOu have done it again, dear Rebecca! Made me realize what I have been feeling.... (I really DON'T want to answer that noise-making, ringing-till-my-head-pops-off thing!) So, I won't! ;) And I really need to finish the laundry instead of surfing... but I'm glad I stayed to find your post.
I take on the challenge... My day will be Thursday. I will have to clean today... it's such a mess.
I'll be catching ya later!
Hugs,
Shannon
Posted by: Shannon J | 19 February 2008 at 11:42
Great challenge!!! Unplugged will go hand-in-hand with my word for 2008...plunge!!! So here i go, thanks for the push!
Michele :)
Posted by: michele | 19 February 2008 at 18:43
Great idea, Rebecca. I was just writing up a similar post with the same sentiments (I got so inspired to "disconnect" like Alexandra Stoddard said during Inspiration Week!) so I will definitely include this idea. I totally agree with all you said.
Thanks for the challenge!
Melissa
Posted by: melissa @ the inspired room | 19 February 2008 at 18:50
Rebecca,
You have some wonderful ideas listed that sound so interesting and fun to do. Right now, I am trying to really get my creative space organized in such a way that I can find things more effectively. As well, I am trying to get some swaps done that I am behnd on and need to get done so I can get them on their way. Lastly, I have to take care of myself because I am chronically ill and many other conditions as a result of my major illnesses. My body is speaking to me everyday and telling me what it needs and I have to listen to it as well. So, I can't take on all you have listed above, but I can try to do the three I have listed as well as a Photo-A-Day for 365 days. Your site is going in my favorites so I can visit again and again.
Barb
Posted by: Barbara Brandt | 19 February 2008 at 19:53
You're wonderful. Your creativity and ideas are so refreshing. An unplugged day. Love it! I do it from time to time but didn't have a label for it. We're going to have to give it a try as a family. Think the most challenged would be my husband! Thanks for the great ideas and inspiration.
Posted by: ~ Karen ~ | 19 February 2008 at 20:04
I need to start doing unplugged day!
Posted by: Tina Winkle | 20 February 2008 at 00:48