A few weeks ago I wrote a post about Reading Preventing my Progress. Following the guidance of Julia Cameron, in The Artists Way, I spent a week trying to avoid reading in the hope that my productivity and creativity would improve.
Avoiding reading was very frustrating. I was tempted so many times to turn on my computer and to start searching for inspiration. I gave in once, but it didn’t really solve my problem. I just wasted an hour or so surfing the Internet and felt quite annoyed about it!
On the positive side I managed to get down to some of the creative tasks I’d been promising myself I would do for ages. I designed and made a craft tidy box for all my art pencils, pens, scissors, glue, tools and other bits and bobs that seem to roam around the house. I worked on my calligraphy, designing and producing cards for my friends for Easter, and tried out various techniques in my sketchbook. I completed a few other textile projects and started an inspiration art journal.
I’m so impressed with my increased productivity that I’m continuing to restrict the amount of time I spend reading. I suggest that you try the one week reading ban for yourself too. It may make you question why you spend so long with your nose in a book instead of trying out new techniques and completing new projects.
I hope that you return and list some of the items you’ve managed to produce in your reading free week.
Good luck!
