You know that saying…. “Too much of a good thing is a bad thing.”
So. Very. True.
Too much of a food you love, and you can get sick of it. Too much passion for something and you can get burned out.
And too much computer time can injure you. I’m struggling with a sore shoulder right now, which comes out of too much mousing on the computer. I think the straw that broke the camel’s back was the marathon editing session I did on Saturday to prepare the Liberate Your Art swap video. 215 photos that needed to be straightened and cropped. the same motions again and again. I should have broken it up a bit more. Now I’m really going to have to cut back, or I risk a permanent injury. The pain is always the reminder to cut back.
It all aligns with what I want to do anyway… Spend more time outside as the weather is nicer. Hike in the mornings. Hang out with my son. Cook more from scratch. Read good books. Capture and create images that make me pause and breathe, like this one.
Thankfully carrying an iPhone doesn’t cause the same stress on my shoulder as carrying my dSLR, and editing on the iPad doesn’t cause the same kind of pain as mousing on the computer. Maybe there is more than just my creativity at play in this newfound love of mobile photography. Or maybe I’m just lucky that I’ve got this alternate creative outlet, or I would be incredibly frustrated at the pain and might work through it, damaging myself further.
Either way, the pain is my body screaming at me to change course. It’s just too bad I have to get to this point to get my brain to agree.
It really is true that our bodies tell us what they need and when. Enjoy the time away from the computer and allowing your body to regenerate!
As Henry Higgins said, “I think you’ve got it!”
I’ve experienced such episodes with both of my shoulders in the past, and I know it’s not something to mess around with. Now, if I feel the slightest twinge in a shoulder, I begin immediately to take the steps (rest, exercise) needed to heal and keep it well. Sometimes there is a bigger message there, too, and it sounds like you’re listening. I wish you quick relief from the pain.
Yep, I know the drill. I am just mad at myself for not paying attention sooner!
Make sure your mouse is ergonomically placed.
I got a frozen shoulder when mine was placed to high.
Best for a speedy recovery.
You know, I am so good at that at my corporate job but not in my home workspace. Thanks for the reminder!
Beautiful photograph Kat. I really like your message here. Balance in all things! Isn’t it crazy that we have to get to the serious pain stage before we pay attention. Hope you’re better soon. Enjoy this beautiful west coast weather.
It has been gorgeous, hasn’t it? I’m soaking up every ray of sunshine!
Appreciate your dedication to the project…it has been so wonderful to be involved with such talent! Thank you….thank you…..thank you!!! Hopefully you’ll find time to rest and re-coop as won’t be long until we con do this again! So excited for 2014, know somethings I will do different =)
The photograph is very pretty, I so wish I could create such gorgeous works with my smartphone. ahhh one day maybe!
Oh Kat, I have that exact problem when I spend too much time on the computer, especially doing editing. I too have had to make a change (for the better) by spending more time outdoors ‘living life’ rather than being on the computer. Thank you SO much for all your hard work and time spent on the postcard swap plus for the amazing videos you create! Those videos are art in themselves — thank you.
Hope you heal up quickly Kat. I’ve had similar pain and let it go to the point where I passed the pain and went numb – not a good thing to do.
Glad your iphone photography doesn’t cause the same problems and I love this photo, so calm and serene.