Day 3: I Need a Rest from … [Part 1]

What do you need a break from?

I bet an answer immediately popped to mind, but don’t move on yet because I bet you need a break from more than one thing, and I bet you need a break from more than just work (though we usually think of “work” as the counterpoint to “rest”).

That’s a lot of bets from me today! Let’s see if my gambling is on-point with a brainstorming activity. Think of brainstorming as like my writing room clean-out from Day 2 because:

Before we can catch a breakWe need to answer “from what?”From “all” of the whatBecause sometimes the first answer isn’t the right answerAnd sometimes it’s answer(s)

It’s a bold move to clear out your mind – bolder than clearing out your writing room – because brainstorming requires us to put down everything that comes to mind. By that I mean everything. This includes the ugly – the “poop” on your writing room floor. Side-step it all you want, it’s still there.

A brainstorm requires you get it out. A brainstorm also gives you permission to get it out because the only “bad” thoughts in a brainstorm are the ones you don’t write down.

Here’s how you do it:

Ask the question: What do you need a break from?Make a space to answer the question. I sometimes brainstorm with Post-Its on the closet doors in my writing room. For this one, I did it in a notebook at the kitchen island.Sprint. I set a timer. To start, I recommend 5 minutes. For 5 minutes, commit to doing nothing other than answering the question: What do you need a break from? Answer with everything that comes to mind. It’s normal to stall after 6-10 answers in the first minute. Trust me, there’s more. Keep going until your 5 minutes is up.Keep returning to your brainstorm. I worked on mine, in sprints, over a morning.

Here’s a sample from my brainstorm.

What do I (Beth) need a break from?

ZoomWebExGoogle HangoutSeeing anyone on a screen ever againFearMy daily outfit of hoody, fleece and knit cap.Weather, you could help with this. Warm up! It’s May!Trying to convince my oldest that doing 30 algebraic problems has lasting value for his lifeI never liked algebra – letters should stay with letters and numbers with numbersWeeding. As soon as I turn my back, those little X%*^& grow back.Schoolwork on every surface of the houseGrade negotiations with my students. Next year, I’m pre-empting all of these with a mass announcement. “Happy end of the semester! If you have questions about grades, please remember Professor Troy is an unreasonable person.”Just ask her childrenGoodwill being closedDonations piling up in every closetFace masksFace masks + glasses = a personal fogMy dogs barking at everything on the streetTax billsOther billsAll billsTwo email inboxesMudStaying strong against Tommy’s incessant requests for ice cream. If only he knew how much I’m on his side.Piles. Every room has one and they all require about 5 minutes of figuring before clearing.Speculation about school next fallSpeculation about this summerAre they opening the pool? If they open the pool, are the Troys going to the pool?My overgrown bangsTo-do lists that scaffoldLike putting out the hummingbird feeder. First I need to clean the window I hang it on with hot water and vinegar like my mother taught me. Do I have vinegar? Where’s my stepping stool?I think Ezra also appropriated my squeegee for an outdoor fight and put it “back” in a new placeWhere is that place?To-do lists that stalled a long time agoThe frost that shriveled my Japanese mapleFlash identity changes between Beth, the mom, Beth, the professor, Beth the wife, Beth, the neighbor, Beth, the friend, Beth, the writerFeeling tiredHalf-finished copy edits of Lu2Any question that begins with “Should”Any sentence that begins with “Mom”BickeringIn the worldIn my houseThe color of my roofThe color of my house

Now, it’s your turn! It’s sprints of small time over time, and you can totally do this throughout your day today. It will feel good at first, and then a little strange, and then your mind will explode (in a good way). So much will come out – things that make you laugh, things you didn’t know were there, and things you didn’t wish were there. All of it is clarity.

We’ll talk about what to do with the clarity tomorrow. Today is for the brainstorm! Have at it!

In the comments, report back with A) How many answers you generated and B) Which one you really need a break from

We’re talking rest right now on the blog – what it is, why we need it, and how we get it. If you just jumped in, go to Post 1 to catch up. Sign up for the blogs to go straight to your Inbox so you don’t miss any!