How to start this very first post. First, the guilt I feel talking about this in particular, makes me feel uncomfortable since I know there are more pressing matters, but like a doctor friend of mine told me - “this is your reality, and it’s ok”, and it if for many others.
The world, literally, was turned upside down by a very contagious virus that spread through the globe in a matter of days. Glued to the news, I watched attentive how the virus came closer and closer to our country. When it hit us (EL Salvador), focus, inspiration and creativity were gone. We were also locked down while medical staff fought this new illness. I felt uninspired and heard it was happening to my fellow artists as well. I had no focus for creating anything, even more so when I started hearing about people I love getting sick… I felt extremely anxious and my fear levels where over the top. What uncertain future was ahead of us?
I had no focus for creating anything, even more so when I started hearing about people I love getting sick…
Talking with my sister, also a doctor, she explained that my fear of the uncertain future was more palpable because we cannot “hear” or “see” this danger coming. The virus… well, it is silent & invisible.
Professionally, not being anything related to medical anything, my sister told me the only thing I could do was, basically, take care of myself so I am one less patient in a hospital. Help my loved ones stay healthy too - it was a way also to care for those fighting COVID19 in the front lines.
Still feeling guilty, uninspired and anxious, (anxious now because I KNEW I NEEDED to start working again, even if my projects where on hold) I thought it might be a good idea to go back to one of my life access online classes I had purchased and simply follow instructions… in my head, to get creative juices flowing… Well it not only worked (HOORAY!) but it also inspired me to finish a project of mine I started a while ago… launch an online class of my own. I suddenly was now anxious (lol) to share what I know with others, especially since I thought (still do) my process lends itself to endless possibilities for creating florals, my all-time fav subject!
Being ok with knowing I cannot do everything (was hard lol) I let a graphic designer friend of mine help me...
One last thing I have started doing during pandemic times, aside from eating healthy, keeping my mind busy (learning Portuguese) and waking up early to exercise, is to accept help! Being ok with knowing I cannot do everything (was hard lol), I let a graphic designer friend of mine help me when she offered to design the PDF booklets for my class, I also hired her later to translate them as I want to offer them in Spanish too! And I hired a graphic designer to design my website… I am very happy…. still nervous and anxious, but creativity is back and… like my dear friend Will Arriaga said one of these days, “I’m seeing glimmers of hope”.
Remember: “Do not pretend that things will change if we always do the same. The crisis is the best blessing that can happen to people and countries, because the crisis brings progress. Creativity is born from the distress, as the day is born from the dark night. It is in crisis that invention, discovery and large strategies are born. Whoever overcomes crisis, outdoes himself without being overcome.” Albert Einstein