Unplugging for Creativity — Third Thought Third Thought

Unplugging for Creativity

13th of April ~

One thing I’ve observed about many creative people is a delightful curiosity.  “Oh, look!  Something new!”  If you are easily distracted (to the point of low productivity) I can recommend the adoption of an old practice: Observe a Day of Rest.   Take one day each week to unplug from your technology, go outside for a contemplative walk and simply give your brain something different–space to roam.  Here’s one site to help you try it: Sabbath Manifesto

I treated myself to a day of rest over the weekend and I was astonished at how often I reflexively headed for my computer.  Without it I was a little lost.  But then I took the dog for a leisurely walk.  And then I did some writing.  And then I did a lot of reading.  It was nice, all that space.

OK, I admit that by the evening I did have to indulge in some technology via Netflix.  Still, I went to bed early and slept well.  And the next day I did notice a lot of energy to dig into my more unformed work.

And, if you absolutely don’t have time to take a Day of Rest…well, then you really, really need it.  Here are a couple of strategies:

• Plan a trip and then cancel it at the last minute.  I hadn’t planned on canceling my most recent trip.  But once I did I had this empty calendar.  Days of unscheduled time!  What a luxury!
• Choose a day three or four weeks out and put it on the calendar.  Get your people to support you in this.  Then, escape the house and office.  Then do it twice a month, then three times a month.  Then every week.

Trust me, if you are a working professional you will feel lost.  But then your brain will begin to occupy itself in different ways.

Let me know what happens…

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