I started September in desperate need of a reset. I knew exactly what I had to do. It was both simple and audacious: I had to step away from the damn screen.
This has been a long process. I got off social media in 2023.1 Then came the Reading Deprivation Week—week four of The Artist Way—which I turned into a media deprivation MONTH last February (I cut out videos and podcasts and random internet reading, but kept my books and magazines). I was surprised by how easy it was and how much it changed me.2
You can read more about what it was like here:
Spoiler alert: I didn’t do it perfectly and it didn’t matter!! Shout-out to life for continuing to teach me this lesson.
Here’s what I was up against this time around: just like in January before I put it all on pause, I was totally hooked on the news… and understandably so. After frantically checking the news, usually with my brows furrowed and neck crooked forward, I’d habitually quell the fear and anger with a quick fix of entertainment or delight. Thanks to Pinterest, Youtube, and Substack—and my love for clicking links in articles!—there was no shortage of novelty.
Besides the obvious consequences on my attention, nervous system, and general experience of time and agency, I feel how intensely it affects my creativity—the very thing I’ve dedicated my life to.
Instead of taking walking breaks, I’d watch a video. Instead of making things by hand at night, I’d be on my fifth news article… How many times could I listen to clients share about how scrolling leaves them feeling creatively drained before coming to terms that my days were filled with the same stubborn cycle?
This episode of Gentle Musings is one I could put off and refine and make sure that my words capture what I’m wanting to share with you. But I’m committed to imperfect expression as my organizing principle for the year, so I did the opposite. I gave myself a gentle time limit, gathered my thoughts, plugged my nose and jumped in (i.e. I hit record before I felt ready).
I hope you give it a listen and let me know what landed for you.
There’s so much more to say on this, especially about how this decision happened at the same time as craving a month of creative deluge. I’ll be sharing about that more soon.
Until then, thank you for being here and warm wishes your way 🐞
Maggy
PS: the first round of The Creativity Lab just wrapped today. My heart is FULL. The Creativity Lab is a a creative accountability group where the focus is on meeting your creative challenges and desires from a place of curiosity and choice… instead of staying stuck in resistance or performing creative productivity while feeling disconnected from yourself.
So that the experience feels safe and spacious, the groups are kept very small (8 people only!). Get your name on the waitlist to save your spot for next time doors open—officially that’s next year, but unofficially it’ll be sooner for those on the waitlist :)
Does this episode make you think of a friend? Send it their way!
Music is by the marvelous Monsieur Mo Rio.
More Gentle Musings:
Do I still sign in sometimes to look at videos of otters and sea lions and geese? Yes. But I’m no longer using it to stay connected with loved ones or share about my work.
Not easier, but easier than I expected going into it
