Let’s just begin by admitting that we’ve been very blessed. No wars, no natural disasters, no pandemics… Well, until now, that is. But that is exactly what brought up the blessing aspect in my mind. Up until now, it’s been a pretty smooth ride. Did we really think it was going to last forever?
An extension of this state of feeling blessed certainly touches upon the actual isolation most of us are experiencing right now. For me and my wife Vanessa, life is not that out of the ordinary. We both work from home anyway, and work continues more or less the same. I am happy/blessed to realise that business hasn’t fully slumped to the level I dreaded initially. I guess people still need books to read – perhaps now more than ever?
I don’t know whether it’s a new kind of rhythm because we hardly go out anymore, or whether we have a deep-rooted fear of the pandemic itself that simply makes us ultra-efficient. No matter what, we have been incredibly productive recently, and we have also cleaned the apartment more than ever before, and have even gotten around to going through discarded, earlier agenda lists to see what can be done… There’s always something to do!
Basically, despite the overall tragedy of the pandemic, it has certainly provided many blessings of this creative kind. I hope that the financial gain from these new manifestations or projects will compensate for the revenue decrease that has absolutely occurred – although it’s very much worse for others I know.
This is definitely a good time to be creative. It defeats depression, deflates delusions, and boosts your spirit (and thereby your health); and you can probably make some money while at it. So, why the hell not?
I’ve got a full plate of things to do, and I deal with these every day. They make me very happy. Here’s a list of things you could do, if you’re tired of Covid isolation and ensuing passive procrastinations:
Read a book. Read several books.
Find out what really makes you tick creatively if you don’t already know it. Then just do it. No lingering… Get right to it.
You very likely have a smartphone and some kind of computer. That means you also have access to a high quality camera, sound recorder and video camera, and free editing facilities that will definitely get you started. Make a podcast, a film, a piece of music. Share it online and see what happens. Or just make it to amuse and satisfy yourself.
If you need money, create a crowd-funder via established platforms like Kickstarter or IndieGoGo. Or a Patreon page for yourself and/or your project(s).
Record your impressions of your isolation/life right now in some kind of diary form (written, spoken/recorded or filmed). Share it with others – or not. No matter what, it will be valuable as history writing in the future; for yourself and possibly for others, too.
Reconnect with old friends and family members that have been on your mind recently.
Read a book. Read several books.
Go through all your digital photos on all those hard-drives, make selections of all your favourite ones, and then order prints, so that you can make old-fashioned photo albums. Another kind of selective history writing that is also a lot of fun.
Making music together is easy, as are other collaborations that can be manifested online. Make some music with your friends and distribute it via Bandcamp, Soundcloud or some similar place. Have fun, and create some far-out stuff!
Although it’s hard to resist, try avoiding becoming a slave to “streamed” TV and “binge-watching” attractive series. They will very likely only make you depressed and craving more. It’s in their inherently addictive structure/nature, but you deserve better.
If you need exercise, all you need is a little space and your own body. Nothing external is needed. Design your own minimalistic workout routine. Or, by all means, join some online group variant if that feels better. Needless to say, our bodies need to be strong and healthy in times like this.
Read a book. Read several books.
To keep up with all the things Vanessa and I are doing, please join us at: www.patreon.com/vanessa23carl
(The photograph of me in beloved Venice was taken by Vanessa.)
