How To Take Creativity Back In A Global Pandemic
The global pandemic has changed, in one way or another, every aspect of our lives. There's plenty it has taken away, but it has given us an abundance of time.
For some, it’s because of a recent job loss, or a shutdown, or simply because even if you are working, there are fewer places to go out and do what you used to do... as there should be. (Stay home when you can.) But with more time, whether you like it or not, you must do something with it.
Meanwhile, there's peer pressure to be more productive and a nagging feeling. "Make ART! DO something! LEARN a new SKILL!!"
Because, the flipside to art’s consumption being extremely accessible, is that the creation is also extremely accessible. Ordering books online? You can now order art supplies just as easily. You can learn a new language with an app. You can download the Final Draft and finally write that screenplay. You can find a YouTube tutorial for basically any home improvement project.
Quickly, instead of seeing this time as full of opportunity, you see it as an obligation you haven’t been filling. Why aren't you learning how to speak Italian? Someone is going to be writing the next great American novel right now. Oh, you’re eating chips and watching your 13th makeup tutorial in a row for looks you never plan on trying? I guess it’s not going to be you!
But then I wonder… why do we have to fill every minute of this extra space, especially when everything happening around us is already taking such a big toll on our mental health? Studies have shown a negative impact, as we've suspected all along.
Think of how you'll remember this pandemic: you being mad at yourself for not doing the projects you weren’t in the right headspace to do? Or do you want to remember what kept you happy and floating above the water's surface? Don’t you want to remember all of the movies and books you let yourself indulge in? Don’t you want to remember the FUN art projects you did?
What’s the good in making art if you’re bullying yourself into making it? And may, I point out that it usually doesn’t even work. Let's set this "productivity" nonsense aside for a while.
Of course, I’m not going to totally dismiss this new pressure to do art. Art has kept me afloat, and I really actually would love to be creating something too. There has to be some sort of balance, right?
There is a compromise I've reached. Being creative is important... if you're putting yourself first.
These are the tips that will help you stay creative while working from home:
1. Focus your energy
Part of the problem is, I think, wanting to do too much. How many projects can you actually realistically take on? Sure, you have extra time, but if there are 16 things you want to work on, you’re going to feel busy and overwhelmed all over again. Prioritize what you’re spending time on. If an art project is too difficult and is making you miserable, consider moving onto a different one.
2. Learn about your passion
And, hey maybe when it’s just too difficult to find joy or motivation in creating something for yourself, read and do research on what you love. If you want to be a published author for instance, but can’t quite get to editing your manuscript yet, research the publishing industry for a while. Read about writing techniques. You’ll still need that knowledge someday, and you’ll still be surrounding yourself with what you love while keeping your goals in mind.
3. Create for your sake
Personally, instead of trying to arbitrarily check off a box for what’s considered “productive,” I've been trying to do one thing a day that's creative and fulfilling for ME. Art for art’s sake. Art that doesn’t worry about being “good.” Art that’s done with a childhood sense of wonder and the urgency to create.
Yes, of course, there is a need to be productive… for certain things, but that’s an entirely different mindset and list to check off. Productivity is also going to look a little different now, and that’s okay.
And maybe, just maybe, if things ever get better, and we're in the proper mental state, we could collectively start editing our novel-sized-free-style drafts. Maybe we’ll all get there soon, but if not that’s okay too. We will get somewhere eventually.
4. Celebrate the little things
Meanwhile, I’m going to be proud of my accomplishments. It may not seem like it because it’s a bunch of little projects, instead of one big one, but I actually have written a lot. Over this time, I’ve also managed to really truly make flossing a habit. I don’t even have to think about it anymore! Plus books! I’ve read so many books!
So what if I quit my “piano lessons” after a few days? So what if, despite what I told all my friends and family, I didn’t lift weights and become absolutely shredded. There’re only so many hours in the day, and throughout this crisis (which is still happening by the way) I’ve gotten to the other side of all of them.
That’s more than enough right now.
Opinions and Perspectives
Just letting myself enjoy things without the pressure to create has been liberating.
Maybe we need to redefine what counts as being productive during a crisis.
Been feeling guilty about my unfinished projects. This helped put things in perspective.
Turns out I didn't need to learn a new language to make this time worthwhile.
The balance between wanting to create and having the energy to do so is so tricky.
This really puts into perspective how we've been handling our time during the pandemic.
Learning to appreciate the small creative moments instead of waiting for big achievements.
Instead of writing a novel, I wrote some short stories. Baby steps!
Realizing that watching movies and reading books IS a valid way to spend time.
Started drawing again just for fun, like when I was a kid. No pressure to be perfect.
My creativity comes and goes in waves now. I've learned to ride them instead of fighting them.
The publishing industry research tip is great. Still feels productive without the pressure to write.
Finally accepting that it's okay not to maximize every minute of free time.
This article helped me understand why I've been feeling so pressured lately.
I've learned it's okay to just watch TV sometimes without feeling guilty.
The part about childhood wonder in creating really resonated with me.
Reading about other people's pandemic achievements was making me feel so inadequate.
I started journaling instead of trying to write a novel. Much more manageable!
Creating without sharing on social media has been so freeing. No likes needed!
Anyone else pick up and then immediately abandon a musical instrument during lockdown?
The tip about choosing one project instead of sixteen really spoke to me. Currently drowning in unfinished projects here.
Trying to force creativity is like trying to force sleep. It just doesn't work.
Just finished my first painting ever. It's terrible but I had fun making it!
The article's right about one thing. I'll definitely remember the books and movies that got me through this.
Remember when we all thought we'd come out of this as renaissance people? Those were the days.
I love that this acknowledges both the desire to create and the reality of our mental capacity right now.
The pressure to be creative during a crisis is bizarre when you think about it.
Learning Italian seemed like a great idea until I realized I was adding unnecessary stress to my life.
I've found that doing art just for fun, like when I was a kid, has been really therapeutic.
The focus on mental health over productivity is so important. You can't pour from an empty cup.
This reminded me to stop comparing my pandemic experience to others. We're all coping differently.
The bit about art supplies being accessible online actually motivated me to start painting again.
My creativity actually flourished during lockdown, but only after I stopped pressuring myself to create masterpieces.
The tip about researching your passion when you can't create is brilliant. Never thought of it that way.
Finally someone said it! I'm tired of seeing social media posts about learning three new skills during lockdown.
The part about flossing being an achievement made me laugh. I finally trained myself to drink more water!
Funny how we turned a global crisis into a productivity contest. We really need to be kinder to ourselves.
This article feels like a warm hug telling me it's okay to just exist sometimes.
What's wrong with watching makeup tutorials? Sometimes that's exactly what my brain needs!
I've actually found that setting smaller, achievable goals works better than these grand pandemic projects.
The emphasis on doing things for yourself rather than social media validation is exactly what I needed to hear.
Reading this made me realize I've been way too hard on myself about not finishing my painting series.
This whole productivity guilt thing is just capitalism making us feel bad for not monetizing every moment.
Learning about your passion instead of creating is such good advice. I've been reading about photography techniques when I'm not motivated to shoot.
I actually found the pandemic increased my creativity. The isolation forced me to think outside the box.
The section about celebrating little things hit home. I finally learned how to make sourdough bread and I'm proud of that!
Two years into this and I still haven't written my novel. This article helps me feel less bad about it.
Can we talk about how liberating it is to create without worrying if it's 'good enough' for social media?
The tip about focusing energy on one thing at a time is spot on. I tried learning guitar and coding simultaneously. Big mistake!
Not everyone has extra time though. Some of us are working harder than ever in healthcare and essential services.
I love the focus on mental health. We're living through a global crisis, it's okay not to be at peak productivity.
Anyone else feel guilty watching Netflix instead of writing that bestseller we're supposedly all meant to be working on?
The part about art for art's sake really resonates with me. I stopped posting my drawings online and started just creating for myself. It's so much more fulfilling.
Interesting perspective, but I disagree. This extra time is a rare gift and we should maximize it. I've learned two new languages since the pandemic started.
This article perfectly captures how I've been feeling! I started like 5 different projects and now I just feel overwhelmed.