Monday, January 24, 2011

Back Away from The Computer!

I didn't make many New Year's resolutions, but I did resolve to have one work-free day per week. On this day, I pledged to myself that I wouldn't do anything promotional, or any edits or plotting... nothing!

The more things I have on the go, the more I notice how work is flowing over into every minute of every day. There's always one more website to update; one more review to post on Facebook, one more forum to lurk on. Now that I'm starting a new writing project, I need at least one day of head space!

What will I do on this blissfully free day? Read, go out into the big wide world, maybe even splurge on a cupcake or three! I'm a big fan of staring into space. Imagine, a whole day just to stare!

Speaking of time and space, in a desperate bid to catch up on everything, I'm only going to be blogging on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays for the next two weeks. I'm knee-deep in rapidly expanding check lists and I need a little bit of extra energy to get through it all!

Drop by on Wednesday for a rather exciting announcement (nothing to do with publishing, but everything to do with fun!).

Until then, what do you do to get some space?

75 comments:

  1. I'm a big fan of staring into space! Seriously, I think having time out, just listening to other people's conversations around me is always useful in terms of inspiration and ideas. Sitting on buses is the best form of research, I've found!

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  2. Oooh, I would love to do that! I'm not sure how I could though because the internet is so tangled up in so many of my 'for fun' activities like blog reading, idle celebrity news reading... etc. etc. I DO love the idea of a whole day just to stare into space though - might help curtail the space-staring when I'm supposed to be writing! :-)

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  3. Daydreaming is my best friend (a good cupcake at the ready never hurt either).

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  4. Good for you, I think a day off is essential. Can’t beat a good stare day.

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  5. I did daily posts during Christmas with guest short stories. omg, daily is insane if you want to write and also have a life. Much prefer 3 days a week.

    I go for a walk if there's not 2 feet of snow, read, play canasta with hubs, or I play with my other passion, photography.

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  6. This is great! I try to only occasionally post on Tuesdays, and I rarely comment on that day either. And on Sundays, I try to stay off the computer all together. Although, I do sometimes still check email because I just can't help myself.

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  7. I watch Law and Order or CSI, because there's always an episode of one of those shows on. But cupcakes are good too! I wish someone would come up with a "Cupcake Diet", like they did with the Cookie Diet.

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  8. Just saw another blog of someone taking a day off--I think it's a *FAB* idea! Enjoy!!!

    (PS, in the quality vs quantity game, I think quality is where it's at...less burn out, IMHO.)

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  9. Oh cool! I love staring into space. I do it all the time. But I get so far behind when I'm not online for a day. Getting further along in my WIP is great, but then I open up my emails and feel like I'm overloaded. Guess that's not a bad thing. I wouldn't want it to be the other way around.

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  10. I love staring into space! This is a great idea, Talli. Enjoy your day off!

    My word verification is: mixing. Maybe you'll decide to bake some cupcakes? ;)

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  11. Songs great Talli! As for me Iike to exercise, read, dance around, watch a movie, bake. It's nice to not be stuck in a chair sometimes.

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  12. It’s good to have a day off. For me, weekends are my days off since I need absolute peace and silence to write and my step-daughter comes over on the weekends and she’s loud. I can’t blame her, she’s only ten and gets to see her father only on the weekends, so it doesn’t bother me to stay away from writing or blogging on those days.

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  13. Talli, a day off is a very good thing. Maybe I should borrow the daydreaming idea from you :)

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  14. I am going to try and do exactly the same myself this year. After all real life is far more important and loyal readers will always be here!

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  15. I only blog four days a week and that helps me find a bit of time & space. Hopefully it will help you too! Looking forward to the fun announcement!

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  16. YAY, Talli,

    We all need to dust away the cobwebs in our heads and once a week sounds like a great idea!

    Now if I can only do that ....lol

    Can't wait to see you post on Wednesday.

    Michael

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  17. I posted about this same thing today. Seems like a lot of us are wondering how to get more balance for the new year. Enjoy your computer-free day!

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  18. Great idea, Talli, a day to just 'be' is nice. Spend it frivolously!

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  19. hubs and i just had a weekend in some woods locally, it's great as no tv, no computers, just the fire and our little chairs, a couple of friends, and lots of wine :) we're only a mile from home but it could be the other side of the world for all anyone else knows :)x

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  20. I stay in bed!!

    I hope you have a simply gloriously fabulously cup-cake and staring into space filled day!!! Yay for you!!!!

    Take care
    x

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  21. A day free from the computer - I would take a bubble bath, relax with a great book, watching some TV or a movie, spend even more time with my sons and hubby.

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  22. What a great idea! I love staring into space--a day of that and cupcakes would just be perfection!

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  23. I love just staring into space. I call it 'having non-thoughts.' lol

    I like to put on my ipod, pick up my book and read. Or go to the gym. That's me time. :)

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  24. I'm with you on this, it's very important to have some me time - me days and get some space. Hope you had a relaxing day! ;)

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  25. Thanks, everyone!

    It is so hard these days to find balance, and to really focus on writing, I need head space.

    I love blogging, but I find myself getting really stressed out these days trying to keep on top of comments! I'd hate to think people fele I'm not reading their blogs. So, hopefully cutting back to three times a week for the bext couple weeks will let me regain that balance!

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  26. ... and sorry for the typos! Bad wine! bad!

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  27. I find it hard to keep up with everyone online and don't know how you do what you do. It's good to take time away from it all. Have fun.

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  28. I say go for it! Stare away!

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  29. Stare until you're all stared out! :o)

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  30. Good for you! I finally put my life on a schedule this year and I write five days only. Those other two allow me to do anything - play, read, socialize, or stare at nothing. I've found I'm spending some of each playing catch-up on email and things like that, but mostly I AM away from the computer. It's nice.

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  31. Excellent, excellent thing to do. I always think I work best if I have one (sometimes two) days off a week where I do absolutely nothing writing, blog, work-related! Hope you get all the space you need!

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  32. Time off from blogging? Goodness no! Not I, never!

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  33. I do take blog breaks, a week or so at the Christmas holiday and another snuck into the year, plus a month long hiatus in the summer. I find it is well worth it, and I come back fresh and energized, looking forward to meeting up with everyone again.

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  34. That's such a good idea. Cupcakes are the best food ever. And breaks are such a good thing--that's why I don't use my twitter right now. It was sucking up way too much time; I decided to sacrifice the "getting my unpublished, unagented name out there" possibilities for the extra time to write the manuscripts I hope will eventually CATCH me an agent or an editor. (I decided, when I quit using it, that I'd go back when I did have an agent/publisher, because then the time spent would make more sense from a marketing perspective). The short of it: you're smart for giving yourself a break!

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  35. It is good to get away from the habit of the internet - I need to back off more often and simply write.

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  36. Fantastic idea! The internet can also stifle your creative juices! Enjoy your day, I personally love to sit in a café with a cappuccino!

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  37. I hope you have fun on your fun day!! I know it's hard not to let work creep into fun, it happens to be all the time. But I hope it's an extra fun day for you! :)

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  38. I know exactly what you mean. I'm trying to have weekends off from writing. I am spending them sorting out the house though ... big sigh.

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  39. Everyone needs a break. I like thinking of you enjoying a cupcake or staring into space. After all your hard work, you deserve a little indulgence, Talli.

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  40. Everyone needs a break. I like thinking of you enjoying a cupcake or staring into space. After all your hard work, you deserve a little indulgence, Talli.

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  41. I love learning about fun so I'll definitely be back to see what it is all about!

    Good luck with the organizing and I'm proud of you for taking time for yourself! Often times we get sucked into the world chaos! You're an inspiration!

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  42. I know it's easy to let writing and writing related activities take over your life. But, hey, even God took a day off!

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  43. I think you've got the right idea, Talli. The brain needs some time to do nothing. That's when you'll recharge for the other six days of the week.

    Have fun staring or reading or eating cup cakes!

    Jai

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  44. Cupcakes are fun! I'm also a big fan of staring into space, lol. When I need some space, I read or watch a movie or play cards or a board game with my hubby.

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  45. That's 2 important announcemnets on Wednesday, Arlee of Tossing It Out has one also. Shall look forward.

    Yvonne.

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  46. Enjoy your day of staring and cupcakes.

    I don't take nearly enough time for just myself. Sometimes I go for a bike ride. Sometimes shopping. Or at least window shopping.

    Will have to return to hear the fun news.

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  47. I get into bed with a book. Sorted.

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  48. I'd love a space day! Best of luck with your new project!

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  49. Ooh.. I hear you... it just seems like there's never enough time, doesn't it?

    Good luck... and have fun with your free day!

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  50. Ooh.. I hear you... it just seems like there's never enough time, doesn't it?

    Good luck... and have fun with your free day!

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  51. Have fun with your checklists! I hope there are at least some fun things to do on your list. :)

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  52. Mmmm! Cupcakes--I could go for some cupcakes.

    Looking forward to your announcement on Wednesday. What a coincidence I have an announcement scheduled for Wednesday as well.

    Lee
    Tossing It Out

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  53. Staring into space...what fun! Hope your day of staring was blissful. Looking forward to your fun news.

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  54. Quite honestly, as a college student there's no such thing as a good break or a day free from studying! D: But my main classes are on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays, so I suppose I am able to feel more relaxed and take my time in doing work on Tuesdays and Thursdays.

    That is a great goal by the way :) Eating three cupcakes I mean! LOL

    ~TRA

    http://xtheredangelx.blogspot.com

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  55. I've always been amazed with all that you do! A 'stare' day is well-deserved, I'd say.

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  56. I love zoning out! And sleeping. I'm trying to stay away from cupcakes, having moved to France and having gained more than a couple of extra kilos....

    Maybe I should take a day to work out?

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  57. Yeah, I've resolved to take Fridays off this year too :o) God choice!

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  58. 'What is life if full of care/We have not time to stop and stare' - enjoy the littel bit of free time Talli! Will be looking in Wednesday. :-)

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  59. I absolutely want cupcakes now!

    On free days I tend to read or catch up on some television shows.

    I'd love to share something more exciting, but unfortunately, that's all I've got at the moment.

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  60. I am a big space starer - love it! I would probably sleep and knit and eat - not all three of course :)

    Oooo looking forward to the fun announcement.

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  61. Hi Talli .. delighted to hear you're clearing a little breathing/thinking space - we all need 'our time'. A good walk for me clears the air .. cheers Hilary

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  62. Gosh. I know how you feel. Thankfully (or unthankfully from a writers point of view) I still have the day job to go to and as there is no access to the internet or a computer, I have to switch off!

    Good luck with your list!

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  63. Go... OUT? That's totally radical! i think it makes total sense though. I wish i didn't have a day job--if I didn't, I'd do that too! i hope your next few weeks are productive!

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  64. I did a bit of staring into space this morning, before I knew it an hour had gone!
    Good for you though, Talli, we all need a little time for ourselves, just to do...well nothing!

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  65. I don't know what I do, really. Every minute seems to be chocka with stuff - the place where I get the most mental space is probably where I have the least physical space - commuting! Hope the one-day free thing works for you!

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  66. Very good idea! What is the point of life is we are never out in the world doing some living?? We can't always be stuck to the computer screen! Good luck in this goal!

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  67. Usually the Xbox calls to me when I want to take a break. An hour of Assassin's Creed or Bioshock takes the edge off and I can get back to work. Sometimes I want to get properly away though and go for a wander in some of the woods near me. It's a great way of getting inspiration :)

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  68. I'm also a big fan of staring into space... usually at the office ... usually right when my boss walks by my desk! ;)
    Enjoy your day off!! Have fun!

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  69. Rest up and eat two cupcakes! And definitely have some wine!

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  70. Sounds like a good plan. It's so easy to feel overwhelmed with all that we "must" do. Good for you for taking time off!

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  71. Oh a free day sounds heavenly. Enjoy it!

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  72. I have to have time off at the weekends or I'd burn out. Got to lok after ourselves!

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  73. I'll head off for some rock climbing or cross country skiing to unwind when I have some time to myself.

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  74. M, W and F...
    that's my schedule now also. Except I'm going to try and keep it that way. I'd like to find the person who told me I'd much more free time after I retired. Well, I did retire and now I now that person is a liar.

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  75. I love this idea. I love people-watching (and eavesdropping), browsing bookshops, and walking with no destination in mind. It's heaven...

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Coffee and wine for all!