I have heard a number of friends and creative people lament that during the pandemic they have fallen out of their creative practice. They haven’t felt the urge to paint or write or play their music. They are sad and confused as to why this is. What artists are going through is understandable. We have all been through a lot since COVID started raging through our lives. So many aspects of our lives have been up-ended by the pandemic – our routines, our livelihoods, social networks, and creative outlets.
First of all, I’d like us to acknowledge what we, as a society and individually, have gone through these past 15 months. Some of us have lost loved ones, many their jobs, their homes, child care and in-person schooling. We have had to make huge shifts in our lives. So yes, it is understandable that we haven’t done much creative work in a while. We were just trying to survive and adjust to a totally new way of living. Once we recognize these facts it is easier to not feel so guilty about ignoring our creative work and easier to forgive ourselves and move on.
Before you start, you may want to assess whether your current schedule has time to re-engage in your art. Do you have 20-30 minutes you can spare on any given day to dedicate yourself to your creative practice? Or do you have a block of time during the week or on the weekend? If you don’t think you do, adjust your schedule and priorities. Find ways to open up time in your schedule, like buying or cooking extra meals so you spend less time preparing meals each day. It may be reducing how much time you spend on non-essential activities, like scanning the internet and social media, or watching movies.
Restarting a creative practice is much like getting back into a workout routine after a long hiatus. Start small, gain some successes under your belt, and build up before jumping fully back in. Set goals of getting your supplies, equipment, and workspace organized and ready to go. Then allow yourself time to play and explore, to remind yourself why you loved creating in the first place. If you have been out of practice, it may feel awkward and your skills may feel rusty. Have patience with ramping back up and keep at it. The more you do it, the easier it will get.
During the pandemic, we were deprived of many activities and events that inspired us to create – museums, theaters, concerts, talks, art openings, movies, and social gatherings. Attending these events replenished us and buoyed our spirits. It’s not sustainable to keep putting out creative work without refilling your creative well. So, it is reasonable to feel that you lack inspiration lately.
Now that things are starting to open up, start getting out (if you can) and do the things that you enjoy. Think about what events or activities that inspire you to create. Is it going to a concert, or being in nature, or reading a book, or watching a film, or is it meeting with other people and exchanging ideas? Find ways to engage with other artists and share your art with others. Being amongst your creative tribe usually invites your muse to show up.
Inertia can be a powerful force that makes it hard to get going again. Acknowledge the pain, the losses, and change you have endured these past 15 months and give yourself some much-needed empathy. Find ways to be inspired again, seek support from friends and professionals, put your practice back on the calendar, and get back to what you love – being creative.