Wednesday, April 24, 2019

UNPLUG A to Z Challenge





Unplug for Crying Out Loud

It seems a little counter intuitive to be urging folks to unplug 
while hoping they will read my blog & visit my Etsy shop
But...it bears discussion don't you think?

We are addicted. Why do we let "them" have so much control over "us"? 
Follow the money is always the answer.We are always being marketed to.

There are tons of articles, apps, conversations about this.
Being alone, (my initial post in the challenge)  silence, meditation.
Creatives all recognize the need for time alone/away to be productive
in our own heads. That's when the magic can be let in.

Brain Pickings always has good insight into our inner workings as humans.
This article on how to manage our time goes deep.

How do we reach a happy medium in our time plugged into the collective ether
& the time we spend with ourselves, friends & family
without our devices luring us away?

This from Matt D'Avella who makes his living from social media & online endeavors. 
A Youtube video about reducing his screen time. He has a lot to say about being a minimalist, 
& engaging in personal challenges.  He did a social media "cleanse" as well. I find him very interesting. It would appear he has things somewhat figured out for himself.

I'll be anxious to hear what all of you have to say on this.

8 comments:

  1. I have no social media accounts at all! I used to have a Twitter (only because the business I wanted to get a comment to only had that form of access) and made Facebook accounts twice. Once personal, and I really didn't want to take the time to hear about other's daily details! The other was bloggery type things, and businesses. I just couldn't get into it. I've been working hard on ignoring comments (not in blogs I read or write, on news articles mainly) and stopping myself from commenting at all. But, social media is not a problem for me.
    Computer time spent daily may be though!
    My daughter went to high school with a girl who did a senior project on whether friends would take the time to contact her if she didn't use computers, texts, etc. They didn't. No one would press in her phone number to get hold of her. Too much trouble? People don't even send out invitations anymore, it's all on Facebook (at least I've heard of many that do that).
    Facebook "likes" have become ridiculous. My trash company garbage trucks are painted with "Like us on Facebook." Right... like the garbage company?

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    1. Wow. It so pervasive. Most of my encounters are about art or friends. Try real hard not to get too caught up in the stupid stuff. Thanks for sharing your thoughts!

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  2. Interesting that you discuss this topic today because just this morning I read a quote, "The phone gives us a lot but it takes away three key elements of discovery: loneliness, uncertainty, and boredom. Those have always been where creative ideas come from." (Lynda Barry).

    Recognize the quote? I found it in the book you recommended in your K post, "Keep Going: 10 Ways to Stay Creative in Good Times and Bad" by Austin Kleon.

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    1. I just finished watching an interview with Austin. He talked quite a bit about being boring and protecting your creative time with a vengeance.

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  3. Next week I will be going to the beach with no wifi. I need it after a to z this month!

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  4. It's so hard to unplug. Especially during April A-Z! ha! :) I do think we are better off when we take time away from the internet.

    With Love,
    Mandy

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  5. Glad you took the time to have a look. Thanks for commenting! You & your hubby look like you have done some amazing travels. My older son & his wife are finishing up 2 years in London for his job. They have traveled all over Europe and will never forget the experience.

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