How many times have we been somewhere and everyone around us is looking down at their phones? We might not have even noticed because we were looking down as well! The theme for week 2 of our break is to notice what's around us and I thought it would be appropriate to start by looking up! See the people around you, what you are surrounded by, the shapes made by clouds in the sky, the birds flying overhead, the architecture of tall buildings, windows and curtains--and maybe even a cat sitting on the sill, light fixtures, ceiling tiles and beams, colors and textures you might not have noticed before. What newness might you discover, what conversation might you have when you are looking up instead of down?

21 EVERY DAYS

Find inspiration in what you have seen today. What caught your attention? What did you find most interesting, beautiful, or ugly? If what you saw wasn't anything out of the ordinary, can you focus on a detail and create something unique with it?

 

An example that comes to mind is maybe you stayed in all day and the only thing you saw are circular recessed lights in your home. Nothing that spectacular there but you can have fun with it! Start by filling in your section a dark color--black, grey, navy blue--to represent a dark room. Get some white, light colored, or metallic paper and cut out several circles from it (you can use a hole punch if you have one). Arrange them in an interesting pattern, layer them on top of one another, play around with them until you're happy with it then glue them down. The dark background will help make it pop and what you've created is a lot more interesting than a few circles on the ceiling! Even if you don't do this, I hope it gives you an idea of how you can approach things :)

 

You can also interpret this prompt by filling your section with a favorite quote that relates to the idea of “up” or watch one of my favorite movies of the same name and find inspiration there!

FROM OUR COMMUNITY

I love hearing about our different experiences as we move through this break together and wanted to share some of your thoughts and projects!

 

“I’ve noticed that I have made time for so many other things in my life like art, connecting with my friends and family and organizing my spaces. When reflecting with my therapist about taking on the social media break, we discussed how not normal it is for our brains to be inundated with so much information in such a short amount of time and so taking the break and having to find other ways to take in the news feels so much better and more manageable than how I was taking in information before.” - Dalia (project shown below.)

"I was nervous as first, which informed me that I needed to do it. Once I decided, I was all in because I really sat with why I wanted to do it. I started cutting back my social media time dramatically (I’d fallen into the mindless scrolling, endless reels watching) and it felt SO good. Like I got myself back. And that made going completely off pretty easy so far.. although I am really aware of the times I feel pulled to do it, and it’s usually when I’m trying to avoid a feeling.  So I’ve been more emotional the last few days 😆

 

To go along with it, I also decided to limit my random internet searching which is usually looking for something I think I need, something to buy or some piece of information my brain thinks it needs now.  Instead I’ve been journaling around why I think I need the thing or the information. It’s been eye opening." - Melissa

 

And here's a look at my project and experience with this break: I'm very excited to have finished a book for the first time in years! I've turned off all my notifications, even for text messages, and I feel like that helps me not look at my phone because there's nothing to look at lol. Whenever I feel the pull to grab my phone (which is often!), I go back to my list of things I want to do and will pick something from there to do instead. (The easiest has been to have books near my phone so I can get that instead.) 

 

Reading Melissa's experience made me realize I also turn to scrolling as a way to avoid feelings and I think that explains why I am much more in my feelings this past week!

 

Since I do use IG for my business, I did have to go on there a few times but am happy to report I did not scroll, I did what I had to do and got outta there! I also set up an automated message for my DMs so folks know to email me during this break.

Above: My project so far and a close up of section 1 for WRITE inspired by Marigold Mind Laundry.

Below: My random note for SHARE and a snapshot from yesterday's WANDERING.

Thank you for doing this break with me--it has definitely kept me more accountable than if I had done it by myself! And it truly has been one of my favorite things to hear how it's going for you and seeing your projects come to life :)

 

Here's to week 2! Enjoy your Sunday and I'll talk to you tomorrow,

PS: If you signed up for both the SMSB and the 21 Every Days Art Project, you will be getting duplicate emails as the art portion is the same! It's automatically included with this break so you you didn't have to sign up for the art project separately. If you would like me to remove you from that list, please reply to this email and I will be happy to help with that.

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