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! :)
So pleased I checked your blog this week. I've been contemplating (but not doing!), a similar thing for a while, so I am looking forward to actually taking action and *doing it* this week.
Posted by: Sally M | 20 February 2008 at 05:33
How did you know I have all kinds of mini-book kits, that I simply just had to have, sitting in a bin waiting......and waiting.....and waiting?
Posted by: Joan Fowler | 20 February 2008 at 08:49
How did you know I have all kinds of mini-book kits, that I simply just had to have, sitting in a bin waiting......and waiting.....and waiting?
Posted by: Joan Fowler | 20 February 2008 at 08:49
Oh Rebecca, That is so well put... I need one on those Unplugged days. Shall try it sooner than later!
Posted by: Adla | 20 February 2008 at 09:12
It is 9:05 am and I am plugging out right now. thanks
Posted by: Denise Morrison | 20 February 2008 at 10:06
I'll be unplugged this weekend while participating in a 30 Hour Famine to benefit WorldVision. Hopefully I'll have some photos of almost 50 youth working together this weekend!
Posted by: Casii | 20 February 2008 at 10:29
After reading Alexandra Stoddard on Melissa's blog (the inspired room), I realized that the time has come for me to unplug at least one day per week ... my day is Sunday. This is a fabulous idea and one that (I think) will really catch on! Looking forward to seeing everyone's creativity ...
Posted by: Lynda | 20 February 2008 at 14:58
I love it! Here I sit and "blog surf"- wasting time....and yet I could be doing that which I'm craving to do...creating and just being! Thank you Rebecca for being a constant source of inspiration for me!
Posted by: Julie | 20 February 2008 at 16:18
hi rebecca -
love this inspiring idea! when my kids were little we had many "unplugged" days, key word i think being "little." now it seems with the cold winter and lots of cool gadgets we all plug out on that creative time, it's just so easy to get sucked in! i'm definately up for the challenge, thanks for the inspiration! xo
Posted by: heidi | 20 February 2008 at 18:28
BRAVO!
What a Great post!
Sandra Evertson
Posted by: Sandra Evertson | 21 February 2008 at 10:18
I LOVE this idea!My husband moved out of state a few months back for work,so since then the girls & I have not been watching any tv....just a few dvd's from the library,but we have not done anything fun since we are trying to sell our house,but I think we should do something & enjoy our life,so I would love to have the unplugged day be on the weekend while my girls are home all day with me. :)
Renee
Posted by: Renee Alam | 21 February 2008 at 12:38
A wonderful, wonderful idea. While I love be inspired by so many, it does keep me from doing things on my own. So thanks for the inspiration, I'm in.
c
Posted by: Cindy | 21 February 2008 at 15:29
Rebecca,
You have always been so inspiring to me...I love, love, love what you said about unplugging! It's a great idea...like giving a gift to yourself!
Posted by: Christie | 21 February 2008 at 16:52
i did it!
today i really needed to finish a scrap project that has been hanging over me, unfinished , for a year & a half. i had a deadline to submit some projects to a local scrap shop & this was the perfect time to buckle down & just be creative--without distractions. i didn't have my usual background tunes on & i didn't blog surf....woo hoo! i had jammies on all day & cooked 'breakfast for dinner'.
now 7 hours later i have finished 2 dozen 6x6 layouts--can i plug back in to watch idol or will that blow it for me? wink!
thanks for the inspiration.
xo
Posted by: paige | 21 February 2008 at 18:45
It's true, sometimes I surf too much. Maybe, I'll go finish my bunny now.
Posted by: Vickie | 21 February 2008 at 21:37
I love this idea... and wow, wouldn't it be great to do this every week!! We'll be checking the diary and making it happen this week :)
Posted by: KarenB | 22 February 2008 at 06:24
I just love this idea. Such a simple thing to do, but sometimes we get so wrapped up, it is a very hard thing to do. Love your inspirational challenge! Amy
Posted by: Amy | 22 February 2008 at 11:04
I just love this idea. Such a simple thing to do, but sometimes we get so wrapped up, it is a very hard thing to do. Love your inspirational challenge! Amy
Posted by: Amy | 22 February 2008 at 11:04
Today is a snow day for us, and I'm loving it. Absolutely no way for me to run errands. Boohoo. I'm going to work on some cards and get the craft stuff cleaned up a bit.
I love that pink frame around the image up top.
Posted by: Stephanie | 22 February 2008 at 12:11
hey rebecca ~ i've been tagged, and now i've chosen you for the "you make my day" award! thanks ~ xo heidi
Posted by: heidi | 22 February 2008 at 13:49
Wonderful idea! I try to disconnect as often as possible. I told my friend the other day that if we would just have one big snow that would stop everything for a week, then imagine all the things I could get done! (no such chance living in the South) ;o) I have just stumbled upon your blog and find it very inspirational and beautiful.
Posted by: Selia | 22 February 2008 at 14:00
What a challenge for me! I tend to spend way too much time seeing what everybody else has created which totally limits my time to create. I will link you if you don't mind.
Posted by: Rosella | 22 February 2008 at 15:53
we do this regularly (although it is goo dto be reminded). I've been limiting blog/online time too. Email gets checked in the a.m. and at night and THAT'S IT! ;)
Did you know there's a week in April that challenges families to turn off the tv (or go unplugged) for a WEEK? So fun. Sometimes the first day is brutal, but we adjust.
Today was an ice day and no school. I think I'll take an unplugged day on Monday. I'll let you know how it goes.
Posted by: Katy | 22 February 2008 at 22:21
Love this! Perfect combination of being inspired, being productive, and not adding unnecessary pressure ... no wonder you're so good at this. :) I'll be joining in tomorrow!
Posted by: alyssa | 23 February 2008 at 09:35
Sign me up too! My day will have to be Sunday this week!
Kathy
Posted by: Kathy | 23 February 2008 at 13:30