Saturday, June 27, 2009

Slowing Down

So have any of you done The Artist's Way?  This is my second try at it.    Today I hit week four -- the week of  Reading Deprivation.  Yeah, you are supposed to go one week without reading anything. 

Today was the first day of no reading and I have to say I was a little freaked out by it.  I kept wanting to wander in and mess around on the internet.  My son was excited because he figured it would mean I would play with him more.  Silly boy.  

OK.  I actually did play with him more.

I also pulled out the first quilt top I started when I started quilting three years ago and finally basted it.  Finally.  I also did a lot of sitting around doing nothing, which was nice.  I took a bunch of little 15 minute naps.  

I slowed down.  

I slowed down and I was a little more aware of my constant anxiety and I tried to let go of it a little.  

Maybe that is what it's about.  Slowing down, giving yourself permission to breath, be still, wonder, think, imagine.  

I did a lot of stuff around the house as well, in fact I had most of the chorish things done by 11:00 a.m. -- and usually I'm still struggling with them late in the afternoon because I've stuck so much in between working on them.

I don't know, this reading deprivation seems like it might be a little bit like hitting the reset button.  I think I might like it -- at least for a week.

Come next Saturday though?  Pretty sure I'll be doing some reading.


11 comments:

Louise said...

No reading at all would be hard. But a reset button is heaven!

Rebecca said...

I love that idea. Slowing down. Simplifying. It's so much more important than we think.

It has great benefits that surprise and delight.

I wrote about something similar just moment ago.

Jenn @ Juggling Life said...

I'm hyperventilating at the prospect of no reading. I haven't not read before bed (except maybe my wedding night) since I was 4 years old. I kid you not.

Kelly said...

I'm impressed that you made it to week four.

Irene said...

It would be very hard, but I'm sure I would get a lot of stuff done, so maybe it's not a bad idea, although I would not do it voluntarily. I would need a reward for it, such as a one pound box of chocolates.

Anonymous said...

Julia Cameron is an interesting person. I remember trying this some years ago, you know, morning pages and all that "write with your pen" stuff . . . and it just never hooked me. Her new book is an interesting read, but again, I'm just not feeling it.

Good luck!

Kate Coveny Hood said...

I can only imagine how much I'd get done...

Anonymous said...

No reading...I'm all about slowing down, but that? That's my line, baby.

Colleen - Mommy Always Wins said...

Wow. I must try this strange "slowing down" thing. ;-)

Elisa @ Globetrotting in Heels said...

No way I can go one week without reading anything! No mags, no books, no blogs? Eeeek! You are a strong woman, my friend.

52 Faces said...

Woah! Maybe that's why I never got past "the Artist Date with your Inner Child" part.