Creative Confinement

So, the world is going to hell in a hand-basket. We’re being lowered into the abyss because of the coronavirus, AKA COVID-19. We are being urged to discontinue our usual activities that involve social contact. Brian and I have had to cancel several work, family and social events that were scheduled for March and April. And no one knows how long this will last.

This morning I got a text from my friend Lola with a picture of her removing lint and hair from her socks, asking me to send her some weird way I’ve been passing the time. I got inspired! (Thanks Lola!) I sent her a photo of what was left of a zucchini after Brian used our my new “spiralizer” to turn vegetables into pasta ( NOTHING replaces pasta, BTW)  Anyway, I’ve been sending this totally weird phallic looking picture of a spiraled zucchini to my friends and family asking them to guess what it is. I got some responses that made me LMAO. 

I’ve been thinking a lot about this forced confinement and whereas I am devastated by what is happening as the virus sneaks its way around the world and into the lungs of our global community, I also have noticed a feeling of peace come over me and inspiration to do some things I often put on the back burner for “when I’ll have more time.” This forced slowing down has been good for me in some ways and I’ve had to really search my depths for how to use this precious time. In fact, I wouldn’t be writing this blog if it were “business as usual.”

Many of us have more free time now that our days are limited to staying close to home. Especially boomers, some of who are no longer working or working less and are more susceptible to the virus. But younger people are also being asked to stay home. My daughter was about to finish her last few months of grad school, which sadly, she cannot celebrate her graduation, because her university closed. Her final recital, which we were going to attend, was cancelled. As was her last opera. My son in law is a drama teacher for a school district that closed its door on Monday. They are at home with their sweet fluffy dog, stopped in their tracks by this infectious disease. (Luckily being paid for the time being.) Fergus (their dog)  is happy, but I know it’s hard for them to just halt their usual routine and to not hang out with their friends. 

Brian and I joked that we’d be watching a lot of Netflix and Hulu for the indefinite future.  Both of us are prone to watching a little too much news (which just terrifies and sickens us) and streaming TV, especially after a day of “doing’ where it feels so good to quiet the monkey mind with some seriously good entertainment. Not to say this is wrong in any way, but we both felt a need to re-visit how we would use this new precious allotment of time. Neither one of us wanted to jump back on the productivity band wagon, which is so programmed in us. But neither did we want to engage in things like too much TV watching which mostly leaves us feeling numbed out.  

 What Lola asked of me this morning got me thinking about creativity.

 Creativity is different from productivity. Productivity is measurable, creativity is not. Creativity emerges from a different part of us, perhaps call it the non-linear  or more spontaneous part of us. It comes from a consciousness that is not bogged down by the “shoulds” of our mind and ultimately the mental constructs determined by our culture. It comes from letting go and breathing into a deeper knowing place.  We can be creative in so many ways.  Creativity comes from a place that asks…What do I need today to nurture and express myself? What brings me joy, peace, connection and satisfaction? Creativity says “let’s take a drive through the mountains” or “lets bake”  or make some art. I often ask myself how I can balance the things that HAVE to be done with the things that make my heart sing. Both are needed. Since our confinement Brian and I have been talking more, dreaming more, cooking more and working on a course for couples that has gotten pushed on the back burner. Since my art studio is basically shut down, I’ve been using YouTube videos to learn different art techniques and making a mess of my dining room table. My studio friends invited me to a creativity circle online (BYO cocktails!!) I’ve been texting more funny stuff, journaling, getting outside, watching the birds at our feeder, connecting with people on Facebook to find out what’s going on and how they are doing. Brian ordered a ton of veggie seeds and he’s out playing in his beloved garden. 

 If you find yourself asking yourself what to do with time, take a long deep breath and search within for the answers… See how you can use this time to bolster your health and do some things just because they feel really good. Connect with others in ways that don’t involve masks and sterilization.

 If you’re scared call a friend. If you’re with a partner, tell them how you feel. Ask yourself what really brings you meaning and joy. Suggest some new things you can do together. Send loving comfort to the parts that are scared (as we all are) as a way to not let them wipe you out.

Ask your productive part to step back and invite your creative part to whisper sweet somethings in your ear. 

                                       I call this Creative Confinement. MG 2020