Do We All Need a Content Detox?
I am writing this piece on day four of my week of no reading. A week prescribed by Julia Cameron in The Artist’s Way course.
Now, I love Julia and her work – it’s nothing short of transformational – but fuck. Seven days of no reading? I wasn’t sure how I’d make it through, considering I am both an avid reader and active writer (and I really like tv), but somehow, I’ve made it this far.
[I should point out that I’ve been spending a lot of time doing puzzles. 1000 piece, mind boggler puzzles, to be precise, so it’s been rather easy to get lost in them for hours on end.]
At first, I felt a lot of resistance towards not reading for a week, especially considering my current situation (stage 4 lockdown in Melbourne). What was I supposed to do if I couldn’t read, couldn’t watch tv and also couldn’t leave the house?
Surprisingly a lot, as it turns out.
I began the week by writing a giant list of all the nitty gritty tasks, activities and hobbies that I’ve been neglecting recently, and was determined to tick off every single one before Sunday night.
I’ve uh, done about a quarter so far. But the weekend looms, and with that the lack of work distractions, so I’m optimistic on the list front.
All this to say – that I’ve been thinking this week. A lot. Or rather, my mind has had space to think freely, without external noise interrupting my thought flow.
In addition to going to sleep earlier, feeling more energised to get through work admin, and having more motivation to do stuff around the house (you say boredom, I say changed woman), I’ve also noticed a spike in my creativity.
Well, it’s a spike right now, but I’m hoping to turn it into a steady current as the days wear on.
I’ve been able to finish a new project, the Creative’s Companion, start playing with the idea of a new novel, write this blog post (my writing has been suffering since completing book 1) and dance a lot more.
[Okay, so the dancing is just a side effect of listening to music all day, but you get the picture.]
Perhaps these “results” would’ve occurred naturally, and can be pinned down to having more time on my hands in general (cheers, lockdown), or what stage I am in my menstrual cycle, but I think it’s more than that.
By not resorting to my usual vices at the end of a big work day (and throughout, let’s be real. I love watching a cheeky episode on my lunch break) I’ve had more space.
Space! Who woulda thought. I know I spoke about creating space to welcome creativity into our lives back in May, but even I sometimes slip and forget to follow my own brilliant advice (shocking, I know).
Anyway, space is, I’m quickly remembering, paramount to being your best creative self. Which is kind of a paradox, as so many of us struggle to make space for our creativity at all, let alone actively and often.
But without space, we suffocate. Physically, mentally, emotionally, spiritually, creatively.
And despite me being at home 95% of the time at the moment, in a spacious house with a lovely backyard, I still find myself padding my days with content and the art of others.
Which could be a coping mechanism, but I don’t know that it’s necessarily the healthiest option. Yes, we need external influences and inspiration and guidance, but at what point do these ideas and creations move from “a healthy intake” to “borderline overdose”?
As always, I ask the questions because I don’t have the answers. Annoying, I know. But I’m getting there. And my current conclusion is that: yes, we all need a detox from time to time.
Whether you’re bananas enough to go cold turkey for an entire week is something only you can decide.
But if you do take the plunge, I encourage you to report on your findings at the beginning or the end of each day (yes, I mean journalling) and reflect on any changes you notice. Perhaps you experience a version of mental clarity like my own? Or maybe you have the worst week of your life and you vow to never take advice from me again.
Either way, you’ll have something to write about.
Love, Viv
Stuck in a creative rut?
Often all it takes is a good conversation, some conscious action and a nice cup of tea. I can help with 2/3 of those things.