When All Else Fails, Unplug
with Week Four Gallery of collage workshop participants
Hello dear friends,
Last week I shared that I was feeling overwhelmed by my task list—an especially busy one right now—and how I found myself losing track of time in the vortex of doom scrolling through the news unfolding in our country.
This week—yesterday, to be exact—was the tipping point. I had that same experience again: unable to put the phone down, emerging from a fog and realizing just how much time I had lost.
I’m not here to beat myself up or lecture anyone who’s struggling to stay present and connected in this current news cycle. There’s no sugarcoating it—it’s been bad. But the reality is that Facebook and Instagram are designed to deliver steady hits of dopamine that keep us scrolling, even when what we’re consuming is all bad news. We’re seeking relief from anxiety in the very place that’s fueling it. It’s deliberate and strategic, not unlike how an addict reaches for the substance that’s doing them harm.
Last night I knew I had to take action to break the autopilot pattern, so I deleted both apps from my phone. It might sound extreme or silly to some. As an artist, these platforms have been essential for sharing and marketing my work, and having the apps makes that access convenient—and can be necessary to access certain controls.
But in the unplugging, I found relief within hours. Instead of scrolling at bedtime, I read. When that familiar discomfort flared up, I tapped lightly on my collarbone until it passed. This morning, I read a real book again instead of reaching for my phone first thing.
It’s not a big thing. But when the simplest choices feel hardest and nothing else seems to help, I return to this: when all else fails, unplug.
Making art has always been one of the surest ways I know to do that—to come back into my body, my hands, and the present moment. What follows is this week’s gallery of work from my workshop, created by students who stepped away from the noise and returned to themselves through the simple act of making.
Please be sure to hit the heart button and leave a comment to let all of these outstanding artists know how much we appreciate this moment of reprieve in looking at their beautiful contributions.
With gratitude,
Crystal Marie
Week Four: Color Stories in materials
More artwork submitted from Week Three: Mining books and creating from salvaged elements
Each one of these artworks are outstanding. Each one invites me to linger over the details and explore the elements used. Each one of these artists are connecting to their own voice and style as artists and to the vital core of their own humanity through the simple act of creating with paper and glue. Well done everyone!
Unplug! Yes! I needed to read this. For whatever reason and one I cannot figure out, I cannot access my substack via my phone. So I lucked out there! Lol When I go to bed, I keep my phone in another room and go to bed reading a book. But I was doom scrolling today. Holy hell. So right now I shall take Simon out for another walk and come back home to sew. I might put on Schitt's Creek in honor of Kathryn O'Hara. And tonight we are going to support a local mom and pop restaurant.
These are all so beautiful and unique. Collage never fails to surprise and delight me. What you wrote about unplugging also resonated. I have been distancing myself from social media too, because it feels so loud and overwhelming.