I've been taking a bit of a "technology break," for the last week or so.
It's no secret that modern life tends to be hectic and filled with a never-ending stream of challenges, work, obligations and demands that sometimes leave us feeling breathless and exhausted.
Terms like being "stuck in the rat race" and "burning out" are ever more frequently heard, and even though people employ scores of different helping tools-- from modern time management apps to energy drinks-- we actually seem to have less time than ever. Add to this that many companies offer fewer and fewer vacation days while demanding more and longer work days, and you end up with a recipe for a great deal of stress.
Mount Shasta, California
Time to "Break State!"
With so much clamoring for our attention, it's remarkably easy to get stuck in a rut, and we quickly forget the value of taking a "personal time out" so we can just sit still for a moment-- or a day or a few weeks-- to take stock of our lives and what is going on around us. In psychology terms, doing so is what we might call "breaking state," and it allows us to regroup and refocus our efforts and attention.
Even though I have been working for myself for almost 20 years, I tend to fall into "ruts," as well... and what I do slides towards becoming routine and boring. And even though writing is-- in essence-- my passion, my writing starts to get contrived and dull, and I don't even enjoy it anymore.
The Many Ways to Take a Time Out
There is no set definition or time frame for taking a personal time out-- it all depends on the situation.
You might even be in the middle of a stressful project at work, with a tight deadline. But as the available time to complete the task grows shorter, it actually feels like your brain is slowing down.
Red desert flower
Although it may seem counterintuitive, often the best thing we can do for ourselves is to just step away, even if just for a very short while. Instead of giving in to the temptation to eat at your desk while trying to work, you're typically far better off doing something like grabbing your lunch, finding a quiet spot outside (if the weather is nice!) and taking the time to sit down to eat while doing something "mindless" like simply watching the nearby birds.
Sometimes the greatest inspiration and insight comes when we're thinking about something completely different-- and having a "working lunch" with co-workers will probably do far less to help our progress than spending 45 minutes alone.
Taking a Mental Health Day... or Two
Sometimes, what we need is an entire day off; a day to simply sit still and let our brains go slack. A lot of people do take days off, of course, but often use those days to try to complete an almost impossibly large number of personal errands... thereby largely defeating the entire purpose of taking a day "off;" essentially replacing one kind of stress with another.
Whereas such an errand running day may leave us with a certain sense of accomplishment, it is hardly relaxing, and doesn't ultimately qualify as a true mental health day. So keep in mind that if you need a day off, it is important to truly make it a day OFF!
Blooming cactus, California desert
Moving Beyond feeling "Stuck"
"Taking a time out" takes on much deeper meaning and greater importance when we find ourselves in a place where we begin to realize that we are truly "stuck," in some major aspect of our life.
It could be that our career seems stagnant; or maybe we're in a relationship that feels like it is going nowhere; maybe we're sick do death of our dingy apartment and annoying landlord, or we simply have a sense that the way we are living our life feels futile and meaningless.
On some level, we know we need to do something, but there's so much other stuff demanding our attention that we keep pushing the need for change into the background.
Sadly, many people choose to live on in such a state of discontent, perhaps hoping that things will "right themselves", then just keep plugging away as they have been. Unfortunately, once you're in a rut, things seldom change unless you take action, and taking some time to reflect is usually the best thing you can do help yourself find new direction and inspiration.
Resting damselfly, Sedona, Arizona
Overcoming the Compulsive Work Ethic
Unfortunately, western society and its culture has gradually taught us that taking personal time "to think and reflect" is almost a form of "laziness" and showing the world that you possess a lacking work ethic. We seem very good at giving lip service to the value of personal time, and things like meditation and relaxation... but we still "damn better" be on-call for 80 hours a week!
This holds particularly true in the United States, where the amount of work you do is sometimes almost regarded as a status symbol, with workers even engaging in inadvertent "water cooler contests" over who logged the greatest number of overtime hours the previous month.
But whereas this extreme work ethic may have a few positive aspects (generally for the employer, not for the employee!), it also suggests that people have simply forgotten how to sit still and relax. And leave the damn call phone at home! The world will survive even if you're not in touch for the next few hours or days, I promise!
In Praise of Simply Doing LESS...
If you do find yourself needing to take time away to reflect on a potential major life change, the most important thing to remember is to use your time wisely. Remember, it's not a "sin" to sit still!
Center of a cactus blossom
Deciding to use two weeks of accrued vacation time to "take stock of your life" and then spending the entire two weeks frantically trying to do ten years' worth of home improvement projects is probably not going to accomplish much-- you will most likely return to the same rut you were in... albeit with a tidier looking house.
Taking a time out-- in its most basic form-- is about "stopping the clock" for a while, so you can examine your personal life strategy. It's really not intended as a way to catch up with an unrelated backlog of chores and tasks... in fact, if you feel compelled to do so-- what I call "tidying up your desk so you can start doing your work-- you're probably trying to avoid dealing with something important.
So when you do take a time out, remember to use your time wisely!
How about YOU? Do you fall into ruts and routines? Do you allow yourself to take breaks-- or even "technology breaks"-- from time to time, so you can "reset" your brain, or even your life? When was the last time you did so? Did the break help you get unstuck? Leave a comment and share your experience-- start the conversation!
(As always, all text and images by the author, unless otherwise credited. An earlier version of this article appeared on now defunct Helium.com in 2009; this rewritten version created expressly for Steemit)
Yes!! Can't agree with this enough :-) Great post, thank you for sharing
Thanks for your kind words!
Reset is really important. But I always forget to do so:(
There's a parable about two woodcutters I realy like, I'll try to retell it in english. Two woodcutters argued who could cut more wood for the same time. Diverged in different directions of the forest. The first began to cut down trees, and for some time heard the sound of an ax of a neighbor. Then the neighbor fell silent. The first woodcutter began to cut even faster, while the second was resting. Then the second started again. Then he fell silent again. So it continued until the time was up.
Then they met and the first woodcutter say, that the second did much more.
-But how did you manage?, - he asked, -I heard you making pauses, and I was working all the time!
-It's simple. In these pauses I was sharpening my ax:)
That is a wise parable... goes with the saying often used in large companies: "We need to work smarter, not harder."
The "technology breaks" you mention are key in times like these where everybody is online all the time. Many devices emit blue light than can considerably reduce the quality of sleep for instance (especially when used late in the evenings). When I´ve been blogging and chatting during several hours I often feel exhausted afterwards. That´s the moment when I switch off everything and do something relaxing or some sports instead. We have to remember that we are human beings, no robots :)
ResteemedThanks for this valuable and important messsage, @denmarkguy.
@surfermarly, thanks for the encouraging words and the resteem!
I find that "getting away" is especially important for me since I do get the blue screen thing quite a bit... I make 90% of my living from online activities (eBay and a gallery web site shop + the usual blogging and chatting... ugh!) so whereas I am not exactly "trapped" by technology, I do have a heavy dependence on it. For me, walking on the beach makes a huge difference.
You are more than welcome!
I can totally relate. Even though I am not online all the time at my work, I spend many hours on steemit every day.
Beach breaks are life elixir :)
You can read what I wrote about your post here.
@shadowspub, thank you so much! I really appreciate the support!
You're welcome @denmarkguy ... enjoy seeing your good work.
I work ten hours a day, then come home and work on remodeling our entire house. I yearn to use up my vacation time just so I can work more and get more done here at home. I rarely escape this rut, although an occasional night out camping does help calm me and take away some stress.
Well, just as long as when you DO get away... you're "actually there" and enjoying it, and being present, rather than just pondering everything that "should be getting done." I used to do that quite a bit...
I'm very guilty of doing just that... thinking about all the work at home that's not getting done.
Hey @denmarkguy! I am so happy I found this great post! :) It really resonated with me as I am currently on my first ever BIG break from working and doing things "the right way". I've for the past years worked as self employed and always had a really hard time finding the balance between work and play, especially cause I felt exactly like you wrote about the western society and how taking a break is viewed as "being lazy". I kept on going until creating lost all the fun and love I felt for my work in the first place. I even questioned if I wanted to paint anymore ( I work as an artist). I have been on a time out for a couple of months and I know I want to keep on creating my art, but I still need to take some time away. I am so happy I made the decition to just do the work on the inside for a while even thou no one can see it or feel it but myself. :) Great post! Thank you again, it was just the kind of read I needed! I think a lot of people, if not most should read your words and take your advice. :) Resteemed and followed!
@mayasky, thanks for stopping by, and for your thoughtful comment!
The road of the artist can be particularly challenging because art is our passion, but it's not always possible (or easy) to make that passion actually pay for our lives. My wife and I have a small art gallery here in our town, and we have been waiting for a "new" artist to bring in her work. Well, she works a full week at the Post Office, and then does her art beside that... and she's often just too tired after working at making a living to also work to create art... which is sad.
Reminds me of: "You should sit in meditation for 20 minutes a day. Unless you're too busy, then you should sit for an hour."
@imherenow, I really like that... and there's more truth to that saying than people probably give it credit for.
And welcome to Steemit! I hope you decide to become an active member of the community... there are lots of interesting bloggers and artists here... a LOT more quality content than Fecebook and the other social media circuses!
This is why I enjoy gardening -- because it forces me to disconnect from technology and allows my mind to wander freely. It's when I get my best ideas.
Yes, gardening is great! I even find ways to enjoy such mundane tasks as mowing the lawn...