Challenge

Okay, first off, do not judge me when I announce this. Secondly, if you have any ideas for me feel free to share.

So Summer Break starts after the first week of June. 3 months. And my challenge for myself which I know will be excruciatingly painful the first month, and hopefully much more inspirational in the second month, is to unplug.

I want to un-plug, for many reasons, I have goals, and I don't want technology holding me back.
Now, what is my definition of technology?
It Includes....
-Facebook
-Tumblr
-Blogspot
-Cell Phones
-Ipods
-Television
-Movies
-And Lights (now I live in a household with 3 other people so that might be a hard one)

But I am gonna try this for at least 60 days, I'm hoping to even go 90 days.

So here are some ideas, for those of you who are curious, or would like to follow me on this journey, or who would also like to try.

i. writing letters.
ii. getting into good sleeping habits so you wake up naturally at an early time
iii. keeping a journal to document
iv. visiting museums, and exhibits that are usually overlooked.
v. diverting your attention from digital, and using a film camera (this may be controversial, but I will be using film, and I won't develop it until the days are over, or my parents will develop it for me and I won't go with them, also taking a picture isn't exactly electrical)
vi. Calling people with a phone connected to your house, this is also controversial, but my parents like me to talk to my family over the phone even though I could send letters, also, I'm debating whether or not even using phones, because if I want to go someplace with my friends, my parents will have to be involved which is okay.
vii. Riding your bike, skateboarding, etc. (trying out different forms of environmentally friendly transportation)
viii. Painting, Chalk Murals, Drawing, Clay, Ceramics Classes, Bowling, Rock Climbing, Hiking, all fun activities with my friends where I won't have to be using my phone or computer or watching a movie or T.V. (I mean simply visiting the park nearest your neighborhood is great!)
viv. washing my clothes in the bathtub, and hanging them out to dry.
vv. Playing games, like scrabble, apples to apples, uno, card games, puzzles, sudoku, and other mind games that can be done without using A T.V. or a COMPUTER!!!
vvi. Exercising more, taking a yoga class, going to zumba with my mom.
vvii. Also apart of this I won't be buying anything new, so that means I could spend time thrifting (because it's not NEW clothing) and also it's recycling, and supporting your community all at the same time!

These are just some of my ideas, in addition I will be taking NAVY SHOWERS, and be trying to go on walks with my mom and dad in the evening.

And since I'm getting a typewriter soon, I will be writing an essay about this experience and how it changed or didn't change me.
Who knows what the future will hold to be honest, and I'm working a documentary and a couple of camps this year and I know I will be plenty busy so I may only be able to do this for one month, but however long I hope it will teach me something about myself, and maybe afterwards I'll even stop using certain things.

P.S. If you're like me and you need music to live, buy a ukulele or guitar or start playing that old piano in your basement, or even play your parents old records on a dusty turntable. Also use this time, if you're like me and in school, to finish your summer work, and still have time to read books that you've been waiting 9 long months, of 8 hours of a day, 5 days a week, to finally read.

I hope you guys sympathize with me and not think I'm too crazy, because I'm really not!

 - Casey