Unplugging the Camera To Boost Creative Energy — 2 Years Video-Free
It had been nudging me for a long time.
Zoom.
Having spent a good chunk of time in the corporate world where we were supposed to show up in person—before video calls and remote work were a thing — I spent lots of face time with colleagues and clients. Sometimes, it was energizing, and sometimes, it left me craving a recharge.
I had been using video calls regularly since I started my copywriting and coaching business in 2017, and then in 2020, video meetings were the norm. People who weren't on video suddenly were.
Friends and family would message and say, “Let's have a Zoom date!”
“Um, just come over.”
But during those days, after sometimes spending six hours staring at faces on a screen, including my own, the last thing I wanted to do was unwind with more video.
I did discover a trick back then, though, and that was to hide my self-view so that I wouldn't be sitting there staring at a reflection of myself while talking to people. I mean, who sits and stares at themselves in a mirror when talking to friends over coffee?
Early in 2021, I joined a spiritual community. Calling it that is an understatement, though — it’s more like life school. Since joining, I’ve cleared so much unnecessary and heavy crap from my life — coffee, nightly wine, tarot readings, reiki, oracle cards — gonzo.
In this community, I noticed that no one used video — for anything. There were no videos of the people there. Even the business owners who were actively marketing their products and services — no videos.
I was a slow adopter of video to begin with. I preferred writing to create, and when it came to learning, I’d instinctively only instead of watching. You won’t catch me binging YouTube or any other video-based apps. I’d much rather connect through words — spoken and written. Words require more thoughtfulness, and more care. This may also be a reason why Clubhouse quickly became so popular. People were just over video.
I knew for sure that I didn’t need video as part of my business strategy, so I never embraced it.
My Zoom waiting room message.
I focused my time and creative energy on creating how it felt good to create.
And for me, that's always writing.
In other areas of my business, I used video. Prospective and current client calls, courses, workshops, co-writing, and coaching sessions — all happen on Zoom.
After increasing the time I spent on video in 2020, I noticed myself craving deeper connections. When hosting a co-writing session with my community, I’d say hi on Zoom for a few minutes and then turn my camera off for the rest of the time.
This felt much better. It energized me. Something was nagging at me to pull the plug on video for good.
A series of events led me to go audio-only.
After every Zoom call, I felt an exhale. I noticed an inner desire to unplug the camera so I could listen more intently.
Looking at my calendar for the day, while I was excited about the meetings, I wasn’t looking forward to videos.
Discovering how people can attach unwanted cords to me and my energy — and then drain it. This could be why you think you like video but feel drained in other areas of your life.
While watching a popular talent show on TV with the family one evening, one act created a “deep fake” act. The performers were singing and dancing on stage, but what we saw on the big screen behind them were the show’s four judges. The AI software had taken the likeness of the judges and transposed it onto a video of the performers. AI creates this based on facial recognition and video footage. I prefer to keep my physical body in 3D, not AI; thank you very much.
My eyes started bothering me. Every morning I’d wake up with blurry eyes, eyelashes sticking to my eyes, they were dry, itchy, or watery — completely unbalanced. I took this as the final sign — my signier sign that it was time to pull the plug on the camera and go audio-only.
supporting my creative life force energy is my top priority.
Video is detrimental to the creative process.
Our brains can unconsciously process 11 million pieces of information per second. Our conscious minds, on the other hand, can only handle about 40 pieces per second. That’s a LOT coming at us — no wonder so many people find themselves feeling scattered and exhausted. We can consciously process only so much. And then you add back-to-back Zoom meetings to the mix.
So what happens to the rest of all that information? That’s left to your unconscious mind to process. The part of your brain that you’re not aware of but is running the show behind the scenes.
All that unprocessed information seeps in there and creates a wedge.
The best writers are the best listeners.
And to fully listen, we need to tune out some information — like the additional distractions that come in the form of, what’s in my background, how’s my hair look? What’s that person drinking? Are they even wearing pants?
Literally, the shit that doesn’t matter one bit to the writing I’m doing. That energy all has to go somewhere. Yes, energy and my creativity are limitless, but what I’m not going to do is waste one ounce of energy on anything that doesn’t align with my values — protecting my kids, nurturing family relationships, looking after myself, and growing my business.
Video is supposed to be distracting.
That’s why it’s so popular.
And many people are addicted to being distracted.
Without distractions, we can tune out the noise and truly tune into what we have to say. Less thinking about what others are doing, thinking, and saying.
Even in my private writing coaching relationships, I’m listening to their words. I can read between the sentences. I can hear the slight crack and the inflections in their voices. I’m entirely focused on their words — not their face or mine, not the trees blowing in the background, not me picking my nose, scratching my cheek, or shifting in my chair.
Most of the time, I’m on Zoom for calls with my writing community, a community whose purpose is to tap into our inner voice and write what’s on our hearts. We don’t need to see each other’s faces to get our writing done.
I’ve been video-free for over two years now. When I meet new people online or on calls and I share that I don’t use video, I’m met with a lot of comments like, “Oh, good for you, I’ve been thinking about that, too,” and “I wish I could do that,” to which I respond, “You can!”
For some of the calls on my schedule, we go old school and use the phone. Imagine that. Some of my clients and collegues enjoy walking calls. What could give you more clarity and insight than being in nature while having an inspiring conversation? These are my favorite calls and I’m excited to add more of them to my calendar.
Many other business owners were genuinely curious why I turned the camera off. Especially in a time where influencers and shakers are pumping out sponsored content where they point and dance out the wazoo.
If you run a service-based business, too, and are wondering how I made the switch to audio-only, here are the practical steps I took.
I simply showed up and kept my video off.
I adjusted Zoom settings to automatically have the video switched off.
Updated my Zoom waiting room with the following message:
We'll be using audio only.Supporting that creative energy so we can focus more deeply on our words.
That's the whole point, right?
Take a deep breath. I'll chat with you soon...
This sets the stage for anyone joining a call on my Zoom line.
Updated my Acuity meeting email templates to tell people booking sessions with me that we’ll be meeting using audio only.
I let the clients who were used to seeing me on video know either before, during, or after our calls. I told them, “I quit video to deepen my creative energy.” No one died. In fact, many felt relief because they could show up on calls and relax now.
Updated the language on my website where I invite prospective clients to book a call, letting them know we’ll be doing audio-only.
Updated the copy on my writing community and course pages letting students know that our calls are audio only.
After just a week or so with the camera switched off, and my webcam left unplugged, I’ve had more creative energy than I’ve had in a long time. I’ve had big insights and breakthroughs in my business, Oh, and my eyes completely cleared up.
Better boundaries for myself and my energy so I can do what I’m here to do and serve how I can best. My full authentic self and energetic signature are seen, heard, and felt with my words.
Want to know how it’s going? Read the 6-month update: 12 Beautiful and Surprising Insights Audio-Only on Zoom Calls.
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