Creativity in a Crisis

“The chief task in life is simply this: to identify and separate matters so that I can say clearly to myself which are externals not under my control, and which have to do with the choices I actually control…”

-Epictetus, Discourses.

As the world finds itself in various stages of lockdown, quarantine, isolation and sadness, the famously stoic notion that we must embrace what we can control has rarely been more important.

Creativity in a crisis has a long history; Shakespeare wrote King Lear while in quarantine, The Great Depression inspired ‘Grapes of Wrath’ and Sir Isaac Newton discovered gravity…so no pressure!

In all seriousness, creativity is a blessing in a world gone crazy, a clear example of embracing what we can control.

Here are some ways to harness your creativity in a crisis:

1.      Put your fear to work.

If you’re feeling worried about your health, the future, your family….everything, then this is for you.

In a time of legitimate panic, your imagination lights up – in all the wrong ways – filling your mind with endless ‘what if’ scenarios.

Honing that fear and redirecting your powerful imagination at that book you’ve always wanted to write will not only be more productive, but it will also provide a healthy distraction for your busy brain.

2.      You DO have more time.

Unless you are one of our amazing key workers – you have probably been instructed to work from home, or perhaps stay at home job or no job. There are so many scary scenarios, both financial and health wise, but if you are at home then you do have some extra time.

I know many people are home-schooling at the moment (myself included!), this is where structure and ‘quiet time’ are your friend. Even in the midst of this craziness – you will never have more time on your hands to do something constructive and write that book.

Show your children the importance of following their dreams – lead by example.

3.      Think about the future.

You’ll thank yourself for this later.

We must assume, hope and pray that life returns to some version of normal sooner rather than later – and when it does, how do you want to look back on this time?

Personally I pray we’re all healthy, my family is happy, society emerges with a whole new level of empathy and kindness for each other…and that I finished my third book. I want something productive to hold onto and to lift me up.

I recommend it highly.

Here at Scribbles we’re busy working from home offering a range of services including editing, manuscript assessment, proofreading and book reviews/tours.