Consumption vs. Production
Something I’ve been thinking about a lot lately is how I spend my free time. Or, more specifically, the activities I do when I want to relax.
What I’ve noticed is that my relaxation activities are mainly “consumption” activities—watch the tube, read a magazine or a book, surf the web. On the other hand, it occurred to me that many people relax via “production”—by writing, or painting, or working in the garden. I wish I were more like that.
So, I’m trying to find ways to relax by producing, as opposed to consuming. In other words, by being a light to the world, as opposed to being a black hole.
This is harder than it seems because most types of production seem like work, although the other day I wrote a chapter in my book instead of reading a magazine. It felt good to do that.
One thing I personally struggle with is “screen time”. I work in front of the computer for most of the day, and many of the relaxation activities I do—consumption or production, regardless—involve being in front of a screen. Working on my book—screen. Watching a movie—screen. Except for gardening, this is quite a challenge. (Actually, there’s more than gardening…there’s exercise, I suppose.)
So think about that: how to produce without being in front of a screen. These days, that’s harder than it seems, and I’m not sure that’s a good thing.
Good point, Scott. I think it has something to do with biorhythms also – for me anyway: evenings = relax time but also evenings= low energy (for me) so I tend to ‘consume’ then.
I also found it a great relief to accept that when I’m traveling, I’m a ‘consumer’ rather than a ‘producer’ – so I stopped setting myself unrealistic expectations about ‘what I’d get done on the ‘plane’.
Good thoughts.
- Les
Les McKeown
24 May 10 at 8:20 am
I feel the same way. When I have time to “relax” I sometimes find myself on Hulu.com catching up with my favorite show (i.e. Fringe, Lost, 24, etc.) or catching up on my blog reader. I kind of cut that with actually drawing and cooking more nowadays — both definitely keep me at ease.
But in the end, cooking ends up on a blog and drawing ends up on deviantart.com — they all lead back to my screen. Sometimes, I just can’t escape it.
Joseph Sunga
24 May 10 at 7:45 pm
Couldn’t agree more Scott – My problem is that I spend 10+ hours a day in front of a screen or at a desk.
My attempt at establishing some balance is that I go home early on Mondays and mow / trim my lawn. I find that it’s peaceful and relaxing to work with my hands in the dirt.
Also, at 11 AM in the morning I leave my office and go to the gym for an hour. Clients / staff have learned to work around this and I use the time to de-stress, think about the rest of my day and 9/10 I find that I come back with some vigor.
Sam Howat
25 May 10 at 8:39 pm
Scott,
Great points in this article. I actually do garden myself, I occasionally try to play the piano and I try to do a LOT of activities with my kids (in fact, we never turn on the TV in our house, so it forces us to be creative with our play).
Having kids makes it tough to “produce” things for yourself — but teaching them to “produce” is SO important. It teaches them to think critically and creatively and not allow something else to dictate their thoughts.
And what I get out of it is the ability to re-connect with what producing means and its benefits.
All that said, there’s nothing wrong with some veg time in front of the TV. Our bodies may be screaming for it!
Thanks for the quick, easily consumed article!
Mariano
26 May 10 at 10:30 am