I thought living (mostly) unplugged for 7 weeks would bring out the creativity. And, it does. But the lack of crafting supplies, lack of readily available internet, and lack of sleep has produced NO projects in the last 3.5 weeks. But, it has unleashed something else.
While we are mostly unplugged, we are both still working fulltime. We telecommute, so obviously, we're not unplugged during the day. But, where we are staying/living: no internet, we have a tv, and it gets a few channels, but we don't really use it. (we have, however, treated ourselves to catching up on Dexter seasons 2 and 3 after baby is in bed). But now that obsession is cured, we're back to reading at night. We both have smart phones, but in an effort to not go over our data plans, the internet is turned off when we leave work. We do have water and electricity, but a short 10 minute drive away, is my dad's hunting cabin, completely off the grid. No water, no electricity. Even cell phone reception is spotty.
So, our evenings are spent visiting with friends and family, hanging out on the lake, reading, talking, playing old-fashioned board games, drinking too much wine, and generally just appreciating life. It got me thinking: would it be like this if we lived here full-time? When the new-ness and novelty of it all wears off, then what? And, what about those severe, 7-months of sub-zero temperature winters? Then what?
In Colorado, where we reside the rest of the year, even in the middle of January, there are occasional days where I can walk the dog without a jacket. Do you hear that, Wisconsin Winter? NO JACKET! We do come to Wisconsin in the Winter for about 2 weeks around Christmas time. And, again, its lovely. Beyond lovely. I take walks across the frozen lake, listening to the crunch of the snow. Take in the whiteness of it all. But, again, would it get old after awhile?
We visited with some friends the other night who live in Wisconsin fulltime. They said they had so much fun, and then admitted they don't have many friends up here. When you grew up in a town the size of this one, you already know everyone.
All in all, being 'unplugged' is glorious. The time spent with friends and family is far better than anything the internet has to offer (even for an internet addict like me). Surprisingly, I get along quite well not knowing everyone's statuses 24 hours/day.
So, perhaps its creativity in a new way. I have nothing to show for it, no material object, no editable object to photograph and post. Instead, I have snapshots of life happening. Raspberries being picked, and eaten faster than the bowl will fill, eating lunch out of a cooler on the dock surrounded by people I care about. And, thats enough for me.
