Coronavirus and Creativity

I have not written on the site for a while. I was actually in the midst of writing a short series about actors and debt when COVID-19 hit the rails and brought the world to a screeching halt.

After pondering whether or not to still post the debt series, I realized that more pertinent tasks are at hand. So, I wanted to write a short word of encouragement for actors out there trying to stay creatively healthy and keep themselves sane during these uncertain times. 

My one recommendation is below. I am taking this to heart as well!

Create Art (with a little ‘a’)

Do something that you do not have to do and will most likely not lead to a job.

That’s right. Do something just for the heck of it. 30 minutes a day (15 if you are really crunched for time).

Why? Because it is good for you and it is good for your creative soul.

Creative communities are doing a great job at getting out videos, making impromptu concerts, and doing their best to support each other in whatever way they can. It is a beautiful thing.

However, many times, artists, and especially working artists, who suddenly lose work unexpectedly, forget that although work is important, these extraordinary times can be the most important time to nurture the artist in you, just for you. It may literally keep you sane when everything is out of control. 

So, cook.

Write.

Drag out the paints from the back of your closet.

Do a cool braided style on your friend or yourself.

Make a pie.

Make two pies. 

I live next to a great fish market and I cooked some fresh mussels and frites today. I have never cooked mussels at home before but my daughter wanted to get out of the house and asked to go to the fish market. We picked out mussels because they were cheap and she loves them. So we cooked mussels and we drank the buttery broth at the bottom of the bowl. It was fun and delicious (and not that hard). But we both needed it more than we knew.

So, whatever it is. Just do it. For you and no one else.

And if you do want to act or sing or do something pertaining to your creative work, have a lot of fun doing it. Do something you would never do. Wear a crazy outfit. Do a piece that you would never in a million years be cast in. Or just work on a piece you have been putting off working on because you have not had the time. 

‘Essential’ is a word that is on loop non-stop right now. However, please remember that we artists are essential too. Greg McKeown, author of one of my favorite books literally entitled Essentialism, reminds us that we must protect the asset first (aka ourselves) to give back to others when the time comes.

 Artists and creative minds can easily get shelved next to important and absolutely essential needs like food and doctors in times of great disaster and need. Yet, we must remember that we artists bring flowers when the world only sees dust. We bring music when there is weeping. We dance when weary people need to see someone soar. 

So, today, protect your asset. You. Invest in your artist. And when the time comes to lift up the world, we will be rested and ready.