The Art of Doing Nothing...
A new Xbin offers students a chance to unwind and unplug while focusing in...
The Art of Doing Nothing is another clever brainchild of Stacy Owens, who is also responsible for classes such as How to Boil Water and So You Think You Want to Go Into the Medical Field. In this latest offering, students will participate in activities that are good for the brain, such as The Bored and Brilliant Challenge or what Mrs. Owens likes to call Breaking Up with Your Phone. This challenge aims to create more curiosity, creativity, and joy in life.
Our gadgets have taken on a personified, maybe even mammalian, quality
We swath them in expensive covers; keep them tucked close to our
bodies: soothe them when they squawk; feel frantic when they are misplaced.
- Manoush Zomorodi
Mrs. Owens is inviting faculty and parents to join students for the challenge, which starts on Monday, February 12th, goes to Wednesday, February 21, and includes daily challenges (with the weekend off).
Wanna play along? Get on the list by emailing Mrs. Owens! Which challenges will be easy? Which ones will be hard?
Wanna play along? Get on the list by emailing Mrs. Owens! Which challenges will be easy? Which ones will be hard?
Monday, February 12th, 2024
Challenge 1: Observe Yourself: You'll track your digital habits for the 24-hour period. You might be shocked by what you might discover. Don't change your behavior.
Apple: Go to Settings and go to Screen Time
Android: Go to Settings App and Tap Digital Well-Being & Parental Controls.
Try to Notice every time you pick up your phone.
Tuesday, February 13th, 2024
Challenge 2: Keep Your Devices Out of Reach While In Motion
Keep your phone out of sight while you are in transit--no walking and texting
Wednesday, February 14th, 2024
Challenge 3: Photo-Free Day
No pics of food, kitten, kids--nada. If you want to upgrade this challenge, do a digital image detox, and avoid all photo proliferation--meaning you can check out images on social media, but don't "like" or retweet them.
Thursday, February 15th, 2024
Challenge 4: Delete that App
Take that one app you can't live without and delete it from your phone. Is it a social media platform or a game? Don't worry! You can reload it tomorrow. No cheating!
Friday, February 16th
Challenge 5: Take a Fakecation
Set a time aside that you are "on vacation," a break from email, texting, social media, notifications, and calls. It could be as little as an hour. "Consciously uncouple" yourself from your phone!
Tuesday, February 20th
Challenge 6: Observe Something Else
Go somewhere public and stay for a while. Keep your phone out of sight. Watch people, or birds, or anything that strikes you. Just make one small observation you might have missed if your nose were glued to a screen.
Wednesday, February 21st
Challenge 7: The Bored and Brilliant Challenge: A Reflection
You have taken a hard look at your digital habits. Are you going to try to use tech more purposefully? What changes are you going to make?
This challenge came from, Bored and Brilliant: How Spacing Out Can Unlock Your Most Productive Self, by Manoush Zomorodi
You can also watch her Ted Talk:
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