Reflections on wellbeing for creative professionals and all of us as creative beings
Last time I wrote about creativity, I ended with a reflection on ‘create to thrive’ as a step up from ‘adapt to survive’. I was thinking about the impact of loss of connection and stimuli on our creativity during lockdown. Now that we’re emerging back into collective spaces, with arts venues reopening and shared experiences back on the menu, it seems like a good moment to ponder how we might get to that ‘thriving’ place, with creative juices flowing and means of expression available.
Perhaps it seems frivolous to be focusing on creative expression when so many people around the world are very much in survival mode (whether that’s due to the impact of Covid, climate change, conflict or all of the above). But we’re inherently creative beings, with imaginations capable of dreaming up works of art, nation states, complex stories and solutions to problems – this stuff is fundamental. Having an outlet for our thoughts, feelings, ideas and struggles has a proven impact on our health and wellbeing. I’d advocate for everyone having some form of expression – getting emotions, thoughts, ideas and challenges out of our heads and into the world somehow is a powerful therapeutic tool. It might be through talking, writing, singing, drawing, moving our bodies or making physical objects – the medium isn’t important, but the act of creation is.
Given the power of these forms of expression, it makes sense for me to argue for access to the arts for all; for supporting the performers and creatives whose livelihoods (and creative outlets) have been decimated by a global pandemic and years of funding cuts by right wing governments; and for us all to view creative expression as an essential aspect of a healthy society. I only have to look at how the reintroduction of visiting musicians to my gran’s nursing home changes the energy of the residents to remember how much we need the arts.
Revisiting my expectations of my energy, creativity and social connections after lockdown, I’m struck by how unrealistic they were. I’d felt for so long like a coiled spring, waiting to be let go so I could bounce into the air, releasing all that pent up energy. The assumption was that I’d be ready to leap into action, connecting with as many people as I could, and suddenly finding myself able to create again – writing, singing, dreaming up exciting new projects. In reality, I’ve started see people, jam with my band and attend events in person as much as I can, but I mostly don’t feel inspired and exuberant so much as a bit tired. The fog is lifting, and my creative energy is gradually reigniting, but it’s a slow burn, rather than a big bang. I wonder how many people are feeling the same way right now, and in particular, how all those who make art or perform for a living are faring as the need to produce to deadlines and fill up the performance calendar reappears. I wonder what support creatives might need in order to get fully in touch with their most inspired, energetic selves and fall in love with their craft again after a hellish year-and-a-half. Community, advocating for more health-promoting working practices, and offering accessible help to those who are struggling seem like good considerations to start with. Our creative industries need their workforce to be well, and there is much to be done in order to address some of the less healthy working practices and dynamics at play within them. For those of us who aren’t directly connected with these industries, there are many ways to support the makers of the various forms of art that enhance our lives. We can buy from local artists, musicians and makers, attend performances (whether live or virtual), amplify, share and credit the work of artists we come across… and we can be mindful that, in spite of the old adage ‘choose a job you love and you’ll never work a day in your life’, creating art and performing is harder work than it might seem.
For all of us, whether or not we consider ourselves ‘creative’, there are many ways to support our own wellbeing through creative expression. For me, creativity and connection are inextricably linked – I find that connecting with others, with nature and with my own mind and body helps to put me in the right headspace for creating and coming up with new ideas. After a retreat where I’ve spent a few days breathing, walking through fields and woods and connecting with others, I’ll often sit in the garden and find songs, stories, blog posts and ideas for projects seeming to just appear on the page of my notebook before my conscious mind has a chance to start asking questions. Everyone will have a different creative process that works best for them – if you don’t yet know what that looks like for you, I’d suggest a few small practices to get your senses and imagination going… Carry a notebook and jot down any fleeting thoughts, ideas, observations as they arise. Go for a walk out in nature and pay attention to the colours, sounds, smells, shapes. Sing in the shower. Sit down and write for five minutes without stopping. Doodle while watching TV and build on the doodle until you’ve filled a page. The beauty of this is that you don’t have to be ‘good at’ any of these things for them to be of benefit. Expanding your perspective beyond the mundane and routine can help you to feel more optimistic and come up with innovative solutions to problems. That’s why, during this time of re-emerging into the wider world, I’m advocating for all of us to to find ways to ignite a creative spark that will help us to thrive.
By Mo Ford
Picture credit: Tim Mossholder via Unsplash.