Seems these days we’re required to pay attention to avalanches of information. Thanks to “The Internet,” information is at our fingertips – simple to access and with varying degrees of accuracy. We self-diagnose, self-direct and self-compare with the assistance of “The Internet.” It doesn’t come without its issues.
Productivity in my studio feels low. We’ve all been warned about the time trappings of lurking in the Internetic Jungle. We know the distractions, confusion and false hopes it can provide. But, truth be told, we need this technology to remain competitive in our businesses…to what extent, I’m not quite sure. I seemed to think I had a handle on these entanglements, but I overlooked something. Something so simple. Something distracting, time consuming and easily solvable.
My inbox was bursting at the seams. It felt convoluted, cluttered, chaotic. I was constantly running the risk of missing important communications, but didn’t want to miss anything- so I’d grab things of urgency and leave the rest, you know, “just in case.”
15,000 emails later (I may have “under-padded” that figure a bit) I was swimming in a cesspool of stale notifications, solicitations and notes from businesses I didn’t even recognize.
The culprit was primarily….ahem….me, but let’s blame social media 
platforms. To solve my “dirtlema,” I turned off notifications on my phone a long time ago – now, I’ve turned off email notifications, too. LinkedIn groups – I don’t need to know your every thought. Facebook – I can check my own notifications. I don’t need duplicates via email or messenger. The Ladders? I’m not looking for a job. I’m not even sure why you’re there. Unsubscribe, notifications “OFF,” delete, delete, delete.
Now, I realize the irony in me telling you to unsubscribe, stop notifications and disconnect. Part of my success depends upon you reading, commenting and sharing this blog. But, boy, why do we need to hear the same, usually trivial, information from 3 different sources? Sometimes, we just can’t take our eyes of the train wreck (click to Tweet). Not me! I’m taking control! I’ll check information at my own will. I’ll respond when I have time. I’ll finally open my emails without feeling like I’m crawling through the debris of a data dump.
Thanks for letting me have my say. You are still there, aren’t you? I’ll let you know how it goes. Will productivity improve? Will stress decline? It’s a constant practice, to unplug and remain in the present. Feel free to share you thoughts, or share this blog with someone who my actually benefit from it in their inbox!
Untangle, Unplug,
Michelle Andres is a writer and artist. She writes this blog to share tips for a well-lived life and a 
finely run art business…just for you!
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17 Comments
June 27, 2015 at 5:23 pm
The Internet can sure be a productivity trap. I’ve done the same as you. I don’t even have my phone online unless I’m looking for something specific, like a location on a map. I also go through and unsubscribe from newsletters, and remove groups and friends on facebook regularly.
June 27, 2015 at 5:28 pm
Sounds like it works for you, Linda. I certainly appreciate you leaving a note here…it means a lot to me that you took time to read the blog. We must be judicious in our choices of how we spend our time and mental energy. Thanks! ~m
June 27, 2015 at 9:48 pm
I agree it’s all about choices we have to decide what’s important; sometimes sharing with other artists is the best thing to do. We do need each other and we need the community it provides
June 27, 2015 at 10:48 pm
Our arts communities are very important. I wrote about that here, Mary – Hanging with the Herd and Drinking with Baboons For me, when my space has space and my inbox isn’t so full, I see more possibilities and breathe a bit better. Thanks for chiming in and sharing!
June 27, 2015 at 11:56 pm
Your blog stays. The voice of other artists can mean so much when I have been in the studio alone all day. That said, I do love the delete key when checking e-mail.
June 28, 2015 at 2:24 pm
Thank you, Susan! ~m
June 28, 2015 at 11:37 am
The delete button is a powerful tool and I’m learning to use it. I don’t use my phone for updates at all. In the last week I’ve been unsubscribing to things that no longer work for me. It’s been powerful. Good post
June 28, 2015 at 2:24 pm
Right, Vickie? It helps keep our lives simple….and everyone can use a bit of that! Thank you for your comment.
June 29, 2015 at 7:01 am
Oh my, I can totally relate Michelle! Even though I don’t own a cell phone (personal choice to be present with whomever I am with), I managed to have about 13,000 UNREAD emails in my inbox.
So I went on a big ‘unsubscribe’ fest and started deleting all of those from the past. I am finally down to almost 1,300 UNREAD emails. I keep it up daily now with whatever comes in new each day. SOMEDAY, I will get my inbox down to ZERO unopened emails…..
June 29, 2015 at 7:08 pm
It’s a battle, Elda! At the end of any given year, I take all the unread and just move them into a folder with there previous year. I know it is a sad commentary on my data organization, but it feels good to get them out of my face!
June 29, 2015 at 6:24 pm
I’m pretty sure my inbox is some kind of magical incubator, and email hatches in there exponentially when I’m not looking. 🙂
Yay you for having a control strategry!
June 29, 2015 at 7:09 pm
Hahaha, Deborah! That may be the problem. Strategy, never thought of it quite that way…survival plan? Maybe that’s a better word(s)!
June 29, 2015 at 8:26 pm
Wow your blog was well-timed. I’m just getting to this info for just that very reason! Too many notifications, email, etc. I am also in the process of turning off and unsubscribing (not from your blog though!) Because I am so OCD I’m afraid of missing out on some vital piece of information. I have now come to realize that I can just search if I need that info. I’m now keeping only the most important info emails and deleting others that keep duplicating the same info. It feels good to be out of the net!
I still look forward to your informative, motivational blogs every week!
June 29, 2015 at 8:37 pm
Thanks for staying plugged in, Deborah! I appreciate you! It does feel good to lighten up, eh?
June 30, 2015 at 8:02 am
Hi, Michelle! In order to try to maintain some semblance of organization (a/k/a OCD control), I opened up multiple email addresses. Bad, bad, BAD idea!!! I am a: writer, upcycler, couponer, mixed media artist, papercrafter, crafts instructor, commisioned crafter, retailer, Avon lady, medical transcriptionist, and Healing Touch practitioner/Massage Therapist. Each “hat” has at least one, but usually three or more, email accounts. I’d like to say I taught myself an invaluable lesson. I realized I definitely had FoMO issues, and began unsubscribing and deleting like crazy. Now, once I determine email from a particular source is not necessary, I conduct a global search through my emails for everything from that source, select all, and press DELETE! I thought I would feel less burdened, but initially found myself stressing over having SO much to go through! LOL. I’ve decided to just take it one day at a time – one email at a time – and do what is comfortable for me that day. I DO have 8 email accounts on my cell, so I can either unsubscribe or read and delete immediately, as it is sent. Still have a ways to go! I am so very grateful for your blog; it is definitely something I do not wish to ever miss, much less unsubscribe from! Your posts always come at exactly the right time, and are always so relevant! Thanks again, for this awesome post! (BTW, here’s a great read on FoMO: https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fear_of_missing_out )
June 30, 2015 at 2:35 pm
Wow, Dee! What a story. I must admit, I giggled a bit at having so many accounts to organize emails. It sounds treacherous! Glad you’re getting it under control – sort of control. Don’t worry about missing out on a thing! I think you have it ALL covered! Take care! – m