Rules of Magic: Media Deprivation

What would you do with yourself if you couldn't consume any media for seven whole days?

A media deprivation week is one of my favourite ways to recharge. I first learned of this practice when I read Julia Cameron's The Artist's Way. She promises it's a way to refill your creativity and boost your own productivity, and the concept seemed simple enough: a media deprivation week means you go a week without consuming any media. 

On the surface, especially during times like this when the world's in upheaval, a media deprivation week sounds dreamy. I can check out of reading the news and going on social media for a week? Yes, please! Where do I sign up? 

I was in! Until she went into the details -- then I checked out. 

So what does it a media deprivation week look like?

- no news

- no video (including television, film, YouTube, etc.)

- no books (yes, really) or other forms of reading (sorry, cereal boxes, even you are taboo)

- no podcasts, audiobooks, or other media you listen to (yes, this includes music)

- no internet searches for random bits of trivia, distraction, or other purposes

Pretty much, if the practice in question involves you consuming it, it's not allowed. 

It sounds like a recipe for misery, right? I was not down for it, but I'd committed to complete The Artist's Way, so I sucked it up and decided to give it a try.

And omg did I ever love my first media deprivation week. 

Forced away from distraction, habit, and work, I reached desperate levels of boredom I hadn't experienced since I was a child trapped in the backseat on a long car ride through rural British Columbia.

And that level of boredom is where the magic happens. 

Because when you're bored and have nothing doing, you'll suddenly remember what it means to play, and once you start to play, you'll begin to create. 

Creativity is the natural result of boredom. 

And you want to be more creative, right? What if all you have to do is cut out media consumption -- all media consumption -- and see what happens. 

This isn't an easy practice to keep, but it's so worthwhile, so set yourself up for success. Go into a media deprivation week ready to offer your inner artist a variety of ways to play. When you're in the moment and catch yourself reaching for media to consume, ask what you'd like to do instead.

Here are a few of my favourite activities during a media deprivation week:

- writing

- drawing

- painting

- going on leisurely walks

- stretching

- dancing

- playing games (puzzles, improv games, and childhood pastimes are a favourite of mine)

- acting

- singing

- letter writing

- sculpting

- playing in dirt, which sometimes (and only sometimes) means gardening

- language learning (my French has taken some pretty fantastic leaps as of late)

- design new props, play a yard haunt

- clean, rearrange the furniture, organize the house

- tackle projects set on the back-burner for too long, finish those partway done monsters

- chat with friends, family, colleagues

- cook, make cocktails and mocktails, and host a dinner party (even for a pandemic party of one)

- play dress up, pick up embroidery, repair old clothes

- daydreaming

- taking photos

Without media to derail you, you'll find a million new, old, and more exciting ways to spend your time. A media deprivation week is one of my favourite creative practices, and if you try it, at the end of those seven days, you'll realize a more creative, happier you. You'll be present in your life and aware of what you're doing in ways you don't reach when consumption becomes a quick fix for any flash of boredom.

At the end of those seven days, you'll have discovered and reclaimed more of your own personal magic.