Unplugged

My work life often involves the use of a computer. If I am not checking emails or writing reports, I am using scoring apps or reading up on the latest research on specific learning disabilities. I also spend a great deal of time on my phone, texting, emailing, talking, and using various apps that are pertinent to work.  I get summers off, for the most part. I will take on some contract work, for a little extra cash, but other than that, I am off the clock. I stay up as late as I want, and sleep in. I stay in my pajamas all day, and curl up with my Kindle. I stop answering the phone, letting voice mail screen my calls.

And occasionally I skip blogging.

When I first began blogging, I had to blog every single day to get into the habit. Had to. No. Matter. What. No matter the time, no matter how exhausted I was, no matter what else I had going on, I was at my computer. It didn't even matter that nobody was reading! I called myself dedicated. My husband called me obsessive.

A funny thing happens when you try to force writing; your quality goes down.  You can't push the creative process, no matter what all those books and online sites say.  When you are focused on filing a page, there's not much time to savor the words you have written. It becomes stressful. I decided that I needed to get over that. Easier said than done. I still felt obligated to write every day. I still felt the "have to".  Then I felt guilty about not writing, and angry about the guilt. I began resenting my blog. As tired as I was, I would find myself arguing with the computer screen. When a person starts arguing with their computer screen at midnight, it is time to put the mouse down.

So now I focus more on quality, less on arbitrary indicators of quantity. I don't worry about internet access. If I get an idea, I will write it down in a notebook and let the ideas flood my synapses, without pressure.  I can always come back to it later. I won't sit in front of a computer screen, staring at the blinking cursor.  If nothing is happening, I won't beat myself up about it.  I step away, and go find some thing else to do. Like spend time with my family, even if we're only stretched out on the bed pretending to take naps so we can snap a "selfie" or two.  Zane says that we're a "happily family", and since he's my muse most days, I'm following his cue.

Sometimes the ideas flow best when you're out living instead of waiting to live.


3.) Do you “unplug” during the summer months? Why or why not?