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)