It's crazy how much time we're losing to our screens, isn't it? I recently took a social media break and I'm not gonna lie, it was tough at first. I'm so used to automatically grabbing my phone so many times throughout the day. But once I settled into it, it felt good. I journaled, read, and watched the birds in the morning with my coffee instead of scrolling, and feeling the pressure to put something out there. I kept a book handy, and carried a little sketchbook with me when out and about. Spent more time painting. A part of me really didn't want to come back. And since I have returned, it is with a much more relaxed attitude about how I use and consume social media. Hopefully your break will give you some perspective also.
That’s so good to hear. I assume that the first few days / week is going to be a challenge. But it’s something that I need to do so badly. I’m just so tired of wasting time on it. And I know there can be lots of good things about it, so I just need to be more intentional.
I use the Insight App for mediation. Lots of guided mediations to choose from-I try to do it in the morning before anything else, or at night before I go to sleep.
I think we can all relate to this on some level! I’ve been working on my time online and I’m down to three hours of online time. Still too much!! I’m not even going to admit here how much time I was spending before I decided to cut back lol. Next, I need to work on not watching news clip after news clip on YouTube! Thanks so much for sharing.
Bravo Linda! I really want to get down and will be interested to see what happens as a result.
Yeah. The news. 😫 I’ve been much better about it, but sometimes it’s unavoidable and then I go down the rabbit hole. I need to start scrolling away quicker and not even read it.
My goal is to allow myself one news story a day from something like @Heather Cox Richardson or @democracynow.org etc. I’m not quite there yet. I’m definitely getting a lot more paintings done in the evening in my sketchbook since I have limited my scrolling time. I’m really looking forward to hearing how it goes for you and seeing your creations from Plein air April.
Omg, Michael, I can totally relate to what you’re struggling with. I appreciate you being so transparent here. I support your plan and love that it will give you more time to paint, etc. Your love for painting has grown over the years and I admire that you make time for it. I’m an artist but struggle to be consistent with showing up for it every day. Please keep us informed on how it’s working out with the social media fast.
Totally relate, it’s partly why I’ve joined substack to get away from instagram and make my online time more productive. Being intentional is the key. Before opening an app or picking up the phone tell yourself clearly what you are doing and why
Yep, I understand completely. I have been listening to Mel Robbins interview of James Clear - author of Atomic Habits- which was written almost 10 years ago-I have listened to the interview 3 times--so now I ordered the book. I need to change some bad habits, badly! -One of them is the dopamine hit from social media. Basically it boils down to creating new habits. One that I have adopted over the last year is to meditate daily. Even if it is only for 5-10 minutes. I can't tell you what a huge difference it has made. Plein Air painting everyday-now that's a big undertaking! I think I'll start with once a week--when the weather is nice! Good luck!
I read that book a long time ago. Perhaps it’s time to revisit it. I remember liking it a lot. But now I can’t remember much of it.🤪 I love that meditation has helped you so much! That’s amazing. I’ve tried it so many times and I just don’t understand it or maybe I’m not doing it right. And yes, plein air every day will be a challenge. Though, it won’t be a full oil painting every day. I have some quick exercises, maybe gouache some days, or even just a sketch. We’ll see how it goes.
Great ideas! I have never painted outside before. Considering I'm an Art History/master gardener it is about time I tried. The struggle to avoid doom scrolling is real. Thank you for sharing your sentiments.
I think I'm going to join you in this shift away from my phone. This made me realize I also spend way too much time on it. And you've inspired me to try and do Pleinapril, I've always made the excuses of I'm too busy with ranch work this time of year, but truthfully, I can carve out at least 30-45 minutes each day for it if I stay away from my darn phone lol! And my mental goal for it will be that I don't have to create a good piece of art, just get out there and at least do a splodge and scribble. (This will make my ADHD perfectionism unhappy) but it'll get over it 😂 we can all encourage each other!
It's crazy how much time we're losing to our screens, isn't it? I recently took a social media break and I'm not gonna lie, it was tough at first. I'm so used to automatically grabbing my phone so many times throughout the day. But once I settled into it, it felt good. I journaled, read, and watched the birds in the morning with my coffee instead of scrolling, and feeling the pressure to put something out there. I kept a book handy, and carried a little sketchbook with me when out and about. Spent more time painting. A part of me really didn't want to come back. And since I have returned, it is with a much more relaxed attitude about how I use and consume social media. Hopefully your break will give you some perspective also.
That’s so good to hear. I assume that the first few days / week is going to be a challenge. But it’s something that I need to do so badly. I’m just so tired of wasting time on it. And I know there can be lots of good things about it, so I just need to be more intentional.
And now it’s time for me to put my phone away and go paint!
Yes! Enjoy!
I use the Insight App for mediation. Lots of guided mediations to choose from-I try to do it in the morning before anything else, or at night before I go to sleep.
Thanks! I’ll check that out. I feel like I heard of that.
I think we can all relate to this on some level! I’ve been working on my time online and I’m down to three hours of online time. Still too much!! I’m not even going to admit here how much time I was spending before I decided to cut back lol. Next, I need to work on not watching news clip after news clip on YouTube! Thanks so much for sharing.
Bravo Linda! I really want to get down and will be interested to see what happens as a result.
Yeah. The news. 😫 I’ve been much better about it, but sometimes it’s unavoidable and then I go down the rabbit hole. I need to start scrolling away quicker and not even read it.
My goal is to allow myself one news story a day from something like @Heather Cox Richardson or @democracynow.org etc. I’m not quite there yet. I’m definitely getting a lot more paintings done in the evening in my sketchbook since I have limited my scrolling time. I’m really looking forward to hearing how it goes for you and seeing your creations from Plein air April.
Oh that’s smart! Stay informed but keep it limited. I like it! I follow Heather on FB. Thanks!!
Omg, Michael, I can totally relate to what you’re struggling with. I appreciate you being so transparent here. I support your plan and love that it will give you more time to paint, etc. Your love for painting has grown over the years and I admire that you make time for it. I’m an artist but struggle to be consistent with showing up for it every day. Please keep us informed on how it’s working out with the social media fast.
Will do! I struggle with being consistent too. I’m hoping this will help break some bad habits and build some good ones.
Totally relate, it’s partly why I’ve joined substack to get away from instagram and make my online time more productive. Being intentional is the key. Before opening an app or picking up the phone tell yourself clearly what you are doing and why
Yes. That’s the goal! I want to get to that point.
Yep, I understand completely. I have been listening to Mel Robbins interview of James Clear - author of Atomic Habits- which was written almost 10 years ago-I have listened to the interview 3 times--so now I ordered the book. I need to change some bad habits, badly! -One of them is the dopamine hit from social media. Basically it boils down to creating new habits. One that I have adopted over the last year is to meditate daily. Even if it is only for 5-10 minutes. I can't tell you what a huge difference it has made. Plein Air painting everyday-now that's a big undertaking! I think I'll start with once a week--when the weather is nice! Good luck!
I have just bought the audio of the book. It’s great. Though there’s so much info I should have got the hard copy to digest it better.
And the plein air challenge need only take 5 to 10 minutes a day!
I read that book a long time ago. Perhaps it’s time to revisit it. I remember liking it a lot. But now I can’t remember much of it.🤪 I love that meditation has helped you so much! That’s amazing. I’ve tried it so many times and I just don’t understand it or maybe I’m not doing it right. And yes, plein air every day will be a challenge. Though, it won’t be a full oil painting every day. I have some quick exercises, maybe gouache some days, or even just a sketch. We’ll see how it goes.
Great ideas! I have never painted outside before. Considering I'm an Art History/master gardener it is about time I tried. The struggle to avoid doom scrolling is real. Thank you for sharing your sentiments.
Yes - you should absolutely give it a try. Maybe you’ll love it. And a master gardner? Can I come over to your house and paint. Ha!
I think I'm going to join you in this shift away from my phone. This made me realize I also spend way too much time on it. And you've inspired me to try and do Pleinapril, I've always made the excuses of I'm too busy with ranch work this time of year, but truthfully, I can carve out at least 30-45 minutes each day for it if I stay away from my darn phone lol! And my mental goal for it will be that I don't have to create a good piece of art, just get out there and at least do a splodge and scribble. (This will make my ADHD perfectionism unhappy) but it'll get over it 😂 we can all encourage each other!