Is what I make just a byproduct?

Offline Recess is a newsletter that invites you to pause from digital distractions and rediscover the joy of finding inspiration on your own terms, away from the algorithm.

A quick summary: It’s Sunday and today we’re exploring:

• Art following curiosity

• Things we can do instead of scrolling our phone

• A few recommendations from real humans

I did not have anyone edit this so if you see a typo, be relieved that I’m a human and not a robot.

Intersections

things that are connecting during my recess

I’ve been taking notes on things related to curiosity. I am always curious. I want to know more. I get sad that I have to go to sleep and stop any kind of learning. I think that being a pianist, designer, painter, and photographer has given me the chance to see my learnings turn tangible. I can learn how to do something in a design software and see it pay off. I can learn how to play a new song on the piano and…play a new song on the piano. I can work at a painting technique and see it realized. I can learn how equipment works or how to develop film and see the work evolve. 

That gratification is powerful. My notes over the past week have contained the following statements or phrases:  

• “Focus, fanaticism, faith.”

• “I think it's really hard to comfortably separate talent from this unquenchable interest in the problem presented by the task. It’s hard to separate talent from the almost spectrum-y degree of endless interest in something.”

• “The art followed the research project.”

Maybe my curiosity is the magic and my art is just the byproduct.

Getting Unstuck

If you’re like me and you’re scrolling more than you’d like, might I suggest doing some things that make it difficult to scroll this week:

• Help Ohio voters fix their absentee ballots (if you don’t live in Ohio, you can still help or find a way to help your state).

• Walk or run or bike outside! It will be 79 degrees this week so I have no excuse. And for what it’s worth, I walk.

• Schedule some sort of service — a haircut, a facial, a massage, a manicure, acupuncture, maybe even a dentist appointment. Even if you can use your phone, don’t. That’s rude!

• Cook! By yourself or with others.

• Do something where your hands are so dirty, you won’t want to pick up your phone.

• See if your art museum has a free admissions day and go then.

• Sit near an opinionated child or pet. Maybe your phone will get knocked out of your hand.

• See a movie at the theater.

A Quote

sent to me by someone in my life ❤️