Reading deprivation week has arrived. What does this mean? Well (as per week 4s instructions for “the Artist’s Way” program) it means that for an entire week I’m not allowed to read. Today is day one, and I think I may already be experiencing some withdrawal symptoms. I’m not kidding, I actually have a little bit of a headache. I’m the type of person who NEVER leaves the house without a book… or two (I like to be prepared for anything). I’m also beginning to realize that I may have a little bit of an addiction to facebook, and not signing in to my go-to time-wasting site is moderately difficult. As luck would have it, this coincides with my 28 day sugar cleanse. I’ve really cut down on my sources of external stimulation, and I may start to get a little bit cranky. I really hope that it gets easier as the week progresses.
Obviously you can’t cut reading out completely, so I’ve created some criteria for myself for the week. The purpose of this challenge is to eliminate those things which distract you from spending time with yourself. This way you can begin to tap into who you really are. Morning pages help with this process of self-discovery as well.
The following is a list of my deprivations for the week:
- Books – reading for pleasure is not allowed
- Blogs
- Articles
- Facebook – I’m allowed to check it once a day (just to check for any important posts. My coach sometimes posts notes related to homework on facebook).
- Checking my e-mail – I’m allowed to check it once a day at the end of day (looking only for anything important that must be addressed).
- Pinterest/other aggregration sites
- Listening to podcasts
- Watching TV
- Games on my phone.
Anything mindless that stops me from listening/paying attention to my internal dialogue is off-limits.
After only one day, I’m beginning to realize that I draw my work out with procrastination, and that if I stopped myself from checking my facebook notifications every 15 minutes, I would complete my daily “work goals” a lot quicker. Then, not only would I be able to get more accomplished, but I’d also have a little bit more time for play.
“The nasty bottom line is this: sooner or later, if you are not reading, you will run out of work and be forced to play.”
This week I have a feeling that I’m going to be doing a lot of writing, exercising, playing, cleaning, and cooking. This is not the worst thing in the world. I’m really glad I bought those clay pastels. I have a feeling they’re going to get their money’s worth this week.
I’m going to end this post with a definition.
Deprivation: the damaging lack of material benefits considered to be basic necessities in a society.
This is Julia Cameron’s word, not mine. I LOVE that she considers reading a basic necessity, and I completely agree with her. I don’t know where I would be in my life if it wasn’t for stories.
What is one thing that you would have a difficult time giving up for a week?
Blogs.
I would have difficulty giving those up completely. Most of the ones I follow (like yours) ping buttons of creativity for my book and my own erratic blog posts. It’s my virtual community and fills my creativity well.
But (and, it’s a big one!), I waste precious time peeking back to see if the blogger has yet responded to my comment. That is a behavior I can will control. Perhaps I’ll take your approach and restrict myself to checking at the end of the day.
Thanks for the visit to A dream is a wish your heart makes…! I loved your comments. Has it really been a year since I wrote that? Good grief, Charlie Brown. I am working on the MG series in tandem with finishing my Contemporary Single Title Romance. I realized I couldn’t leave either story wandering unattended in my noggin.
I am emotionally invested in both.
Yes! Take that 8th grade fantasy world you built and do something with it. There is a reason it still floats in your mind. There’s a reason you found that inspiration through a series of blog links from your faerie post. Does Synchronicity ring an Artist’s Way bell for you?
I thought so…
Go forth and write your book.
Wow! Good luck! I honestly don’t think I could give up any of those for a week. The most challenging, though, would be Facebook. I’m completely addicted!
Good luck with the week! I would be all twitchy before the first morning was even through (actually I feel a little anxious just thinking about it.) I await your thoughts and impressions, post-deprivation!
Thank you for the luck. I definitely experienced some withdrawal the first day, but I’ve sort of begun to settle into it a little bit. Also, if you’re back in Vancouver I would still love to get together for a coffee.
Yes, definitely! Are you in school downtown?
I live downtown, on Davie street. Are you nearby?
This ended up being one of my favorite weeks in The Artist’s Way. It really forces you to “think outside of the box.” I’m excited to hear about the creative ways you’ll end up spending the time that you’re not spending reading!
Despite how hard it’s been, I think this is my favourite week so far as well. I’ve just gotten so much done. I think I avoid a lot of things by reading.
Kudos to you for taking on this challenge. Facebook and TV are my big time killers as well as YouTube. I’m sure you’ll connect with yourself on a deeper level without the mindless distractions…but a whole week without reading!! Good luck.
Thank you. I’m doing pretty good so far, but I definitlely miss my books.
[…] back I did a no reading challenge for The Artist’s Way. In addition to staying away from books, I also limited my Facebook time to 15 minutes once a […]