Creation in a Time of Corona
“I’ve always believed in my heart that the best songs, the ones that resonate in my soul and therefore go out into the world and resonate in other people’s, don’t come from us. They come through us. And I always say a little prayer before I go into my music room. It’s sort of a prayer of intention that says, please let me bring forth something that will help heal.” - Carole Bayer Sager
On a FaceTime call, near the beginning of the pandemic, a New York City artist (and dear friend of mine) expressed her despair. She asked me how we can possibly create anything when our entire industry, and the world itself, had come to a screeching halt. I was touched by her vulnerability and understood all too well the feeling of being at a loss of how to express what was in my artist’s soul with no inspiration flowing through me and no creative outlet in sight.
In times like these, I turn to my connection with spirit.
There are several ways spirit can help us tune in and turn on our creative tap, especially when we’re stuck on a loop of isolation and uncertainty. Here are three tips to help get my artist friend’s, and your, creative juices flowing again.
Ground Yourself
It’s almost impossible to create when we don’t feel safe or grounded. Being fully present in the body is what can most easily help us find that connection to our hearts and receive inspiration.
We also need, as artists who tend to be empathic, to use breathwork and meditation to help discern between what is ours and what we are currently picking up from the collective, which currently is an energy deeply entrenched in anxiety and scarcity. A lot of what you’re feeling may not even belong to you, so meditation is a great way to tune in and discern what is and isn’t yours.
There are many ways to meditate, including just taking a few moments to focus less on the chatter of your mind and more on the present moment. In terms of guided meditations, I would visit InsightTimer, which has 1,000s of free meditations (including mine to soothe anxiety), where you can search for keywords like “grounding”, “root chakra”, “energy clearing”, “energy protection”, “energetic reset”, “breathwork”, etc, and do this every time you need it, at least once a day. My practice includes both daytime and right before bed practices.
Connect with works of art that inspire you
Put on that In the Heights recording and dance around, listen to “Moonlight Sonata”, catch some episodes of Inside the Actors Studio on YouTube, go on a free virtual tour of The Louvre.
Remember what has lit you up and filled your heart in the past and spend some time getting inspired by the artists that first touched your soul and made you want to share your own art.
When you get inspired, record a video of your talents and broadcast it on social media for all of your friends to enjoy!
Re-frame the creation process as an act of service
It’s motivating to think that what we make can truly help someone in need. The world is spinning and can be made brighter by what you are inspired to create and share.
If you focus on using your gift to help, heal, and soothe the world (as you know how scared they feel and can relate), then it becomes more about them than you, giving an immediacy and purpose to your creation. Giving is an excellent way to raise your vibration and helps you just as much as those you serve.
LIVE YOUR BEST LIGHT
Hang in there, friend. The arts will come back stronger than ever and so will you.
You were born to create and your song, whatever it may be, is meant to be sung…even if it’s only to yourself right now.
For additional resources, check out 5 Wellness Rituals to Get You Through the Pandemic.