Wow. This week flew by and was a bit of a mixed bag. I was able to mostly work from home, which was glorious and technically afforded me 10+ extra hours for doing-doing-doing…which for the most part I actually used to catch up on Girls and make lettuce-wrapped fajitas multiple times.
Though I wasn’t producing tangible work, I was churning out ideas. Literally hundreds of them. I have draft upon draft of blog post sketched out and a list as long as my arm in Evernote, but when I actually sat down to start, I felt unfocused. Unable to find structure or a thread that tied my ideas together. When I tried to finish existing drafts, I just felt stumped. I couldn’t tell if my ideas were making sense.
I also spent a LOT of the week consuming–I always read a lot online for work and pleasure, but this week it was through the roof. It was pretty timely, then, that Erika asked this question in a post on Thursday:
What is the ideal balance between consuming creative work (art, movies, television, books, blogs and whatnot) and creating your very own creative work?
I realized that I spent a lot of my time this past week–those extra ten hours and then some–completely out of balance. Not creating much, while sometimes consuming thoughtfully, by reading other blogs and articles, and other times just seeking something to fill the space. I checked Twitter and repeatedly refreshed the feed on my phone, hoping something new would pop up and distract me.
Let’s be clear: it is fine to seek distraction. It’s fine to want a temporary fix–for boredom, for creative funk, for sadness or too much space. But wanting to escape all the time? That’s a problem. Especially when distraction takes up more of my hours than actual creation.
Most often the vehicle for everyday, every-moment escape is my phone, a gadget that my hand feels empty without. While I can text, tweet and snap images easily from my phone, it’s harder to engage in some of the more meaningful ways to comnmunicate like commenting on a blog or sending a thoughtful email. Those I do from my laptop, generally when I’ve turned it on with that purpose in mind.
So yesterday, I went on a lunch date with myself. I threw a journal in my purse, left my cell phone in my car and enjoyed a leisurely meal. I paid attention to details that I wouldn’t normally notice if I were eating alone with my phone on hand: music, photos on the wall, the tiny wisps of orange zest hidden in the sauce. Over the course of the meal (about 90 minutes of savoring every bite), the instinct to reach for my phone reared up several dozen times. I’d wonder something and immediately turn to my purse, thinking, “I can just look online!” I admired the presentation of my pho and wished I could take a picture–isn’t it important that everyone know how good this meal is and how much fun I’m having? (No. Actually. It’s really, deeply, not important.)
Again and again, this habitual response flared up. It’s embarrassing, honestly, but I think a lot of us do it. What I realized this week, though, is that my escape has put a cramp in my creative capacity. Scrolling through hundreds of individual messages on Twitter, skimming posts in a feed, reaching for the easy answer instead of thinking for five more seconds: engaging in this type of bored, lazy consumption of tons of ideas every day teaches me to be purposefully unfocused. Consuming that much information forces me to be superficial. It makes me feel like I’ve filled my time without requiring much of my actual energy. And for the most part? It needs to stop.
I’d like to dedicate an hour each day to being completely phone- and social media-free. That probably sounds like a pathetic goal to many of you–one hour is that hard?!–but I really am that plugged in, and it’s important to me that goals reflect my (imperfect) lifestyle. Outside of the work day when I have to have my phone on, I can certainly find an hour to put my focus elsewhere: on creating the types of meaningful interactions I mentioned above and turning ideas into actions and pieces of writing. Changing a habit takes time, but I’m confident that time invested in this effort will be time well spent.
So anyway…
It feels a little funny to rail against consumption, then share a whole bunch of links–but I promise that each of the articles I share is something I did thoughtfully read and enjoy. The Raptitude piece, in particular, got me going even more on this topic of mindful consumption. Here goes!
Oh, you like these link roundups, eh? Here’s my model for doing them, talking about why she started + how you can too.
Literally said, “OH YUM!” out loud when I saw this recipe for ratatouille with white fish. Sidenote: I’m just a little hangry right now.
Nerd alert: my history-loving self was all over this fake Twitter exchange. Giggled. Respected Einstein. Etc.
I just got the Ruby from Karina Dresses in the brightest, springiest of florals. As if I needed more reasons to be excited for summer…
Nick Offerman, aka mustache champion of the world and Ron Swanson, did another Ask Me Anything (AMA) on Reddit yesterday! A dose of wisdom:
Always maintain the attitude of a student. If you think you’ve done learning, bitterness sets in, but if you have more to achieve every day, in any arena, that makes each morning’s awakening full of potential and cheery portent.
I will not actually buy this top but I think it is hilarious.
Why did watching this make me emotional? Kristen Bell sings “Do You Want to Build a Snowman?” from Frozen.
A new-to-me blog I found this week + am really enjoying: Long Drive Journey.
This Raptitude piece on discomfort made me realize what I hate about being constantly plugged-in: the feeling of dependence.
The biggest downside to the state-avoidance habit isn’t that it costs us our money and our time. It’s that we are constantly forfeiting personal power. By reaching for the hammer (whether it’s a beer or a remote control) every time we’d like the moment to be a little easier or more interesting, we are training ourselves to be needy and dependent on circumstances.
“Teaching the Camera to See My Skin”: a factual + emotionally charged article on the history of photography and film and its bias against dark skin.
Last week, it was nice enough that my roommate and I took a walk around our neighborhood! What about doing a photo walk in one of your favorite places?
Operation Balance-Ball-as-Desk-Chair is going well! I’m 5’4″ and ordered this 55″ one from Gaim.
Also, I’ve been all around the web this week! If you missed ‘em, check out these posts:
The Ripple Effects of Constant Connectivity
It’s not just about losing creative focus; the physical toll of always being plugged in is real. Hours spent hunched over a tiny screen can lead to neck pain, eye strain, and poor posture—things I’ve definitely felt after an evening of endless scrolling. When I’m mindlessly consuming, I’m also more likely to skip my workout or reach for comfort food instead of something nourishing. The connection between mental clutter and physical health is undeniable, and I’ve started to see mindful consumption as part of my overall wellness routine, right alongside my fitness goals.
Research shows that constant multitasking and information overload can elevate stress hormones, mess with sleep, and even contribute to anxiety. For me, the most immediate effect is a scattered mind that makes it hard to sit still, let alone focus on a yoga flow or a challenging run. By cutting back on passive consumption, I’m not just reclaiming my creative energy—I’m giving my body a chance to reset.
Practical Ways to Create Phone-Free Time
An hour a day without your phone sounds simple, but in practice it requires a bit of strategy. I’ve found that leaving my phone in another room—or even in my car, like during that lunch date—helps break the automatic reach. It’s also helpful to have a clear intention for that hour: writing, reading a physical book, cooking, or simply sitting with my thoughts. Without a plan, I’m more likely to wander back to the screen.
Here are a few tactics that have worked for me:
- Schedule it like an appointment. Block off the time in your calendar and treat it as non-negotiable.
- Use a notebook. Jot down any urges to check your phone or look something up; you can address them later.
- Go for a walk. Combine phone-free time with light exercise to boost both mental clarity and physical health.
- Tell someone. Sharing your goal with a friend or partner adds accountability.
Remember, the goal isn’t perfection. Some days I last ten minutes before caving, and that’s okay. The point is to build awareness and create more space over time.
Replacing Consumption with Creation
When I put down the phone, I’m often at a loss for what to do with my hands and my brain. That’s why it helps to have a short list of creative or restorative activities ready. Lately, I’ve been using my phone-free hour to cook a new recipe from scratch—something that requires my full attention and ends with a tangible reward. Other times, I’ll write in a journal, practice a few sun salutations, or simply sit outside and listen to the birds. The key is to choose activities that feel nourishing rather than tedious.
If you’re looking for ideas, here’s what’s been on my list: sketching, meal prepping, reading a chapter of a novel, taking a bath, doing a short strength workout, or even just tidying a small area of the house. The common thread is that these actions produce something—a meal, a cleaner space, a calmer mind—rather than just consuming someone else’s output. And when I do create, I notice a boost in my mood and a greater sense of accomplishment that no amount of scrolling can match.
The Long Game: Building a Sustainable Habit
Breaking a deeply ingrained habit like compulsive phone checking takes time—probably more than the 21 days pop psychology promises. I’ve already failed more times than I can count, but I’m learning to treat each slip as data rather than defeat. Just like improving your sleep or sticking to a workout routine—both of which I’ve written about in posts like 8 Hours, Or Else! and Love Your Body Resolution—small, consistent steps are what lead to lasting change.
I’m also trying to bring more self-compassion into the process. Beating myself up for reaching for the phone only adds stress, which makes the habit stronger. Instead, I acknowledge the urge, take a breath, and gently redirect my attention. Over time, the hope is that the phone-free hour becomes less of a chore and more of a refuge—a sacred space where I can actually hear myself think.
Ultimately, mindful consumption isn’t about deprivation; it’s about intention. When I do choose to consume—whether it’s a thoughtful article, a beautiful podcast, or even a silly video—I want to do it with presence, not as an escape. That’s the balance I’m working toward, and it feels like a worthy goal for both my mind and my body.