part 2 of Annamieka’s brief interview as to why she took her own “digital sabbath” below:
3. You’re a local Portland artist. How do you see taking a break affect your work?
Right before I had my baby, I completed teaching a year-long course for artists. For twelve months, I was accountable to this group of creatives as we learned basic design and color theory, dove deep into creative practice, and made a whole new cohesive body of work. I felt responsible to be available and hold the space for people in this process. I was online a lot, moderating discussions in our private Facebook group. Early in 2019, I taught a lesson in an online course that has over 2,000 people in it. Commenting and responding to everyone’s work who took my course had me on Facebook a LOT, participating in the group for the course. When I had my baby, I felt like shouting the news to the rooftops, and I felt responsible for updating everyone and posting cute pics and stories. When I decided to take my break, it felt like such freedom. Freedom to not have to update everyone or respond to everyone. Freedom to think in longer thoughts before getting interrupted.
4. Anything else you’d like to share?
Now that I’m four days into my break, I am thinking of doing it regularly. What if I took every other month off? Can I do that? Do we have “permission” to do that? Who the heck decides this any way? We create this social pressure to be available. To correspond. Smart phone culture. I’m not into being available all the time. Let’s not expect that of each other. Let’s all take some space and rebel a bit. It’s nice and quiet out here.