So it’s July – whew! We’re halfway through. How’s your year going? How are your creativity muscles flexing right now?

I’m almost afraid to ask, because I feel like I already know the answer. We’ve been dealing with A LOT this year – mostly the pandemic and the subsequent shutdown of everything, (plus some glaring racial injustices, and all kinds of political mess). The pandemic’s forcible closure of many things that make life fun has been HARD, y’all. On everyone. It’s forced us to take a collective seat in what feels like indefinite adult time out.

I saw a quote that read something like “the pandemic is 25% health, and 75% your mindset.” I don’t like to downplay the severity of the health crisis because it is quite serious. But I understood the message they were trying to convey. Most of the challenges we face in life are because of, or can be changed by our mindsets. Since the onset of the pandemic, I’ve had to shift my mindset a few times. As a result, I’ve recently noticed my creativity beginning to bloom.

Wearing: Ponytail Extension, Cap Sleeve Poplin Babydoll Dress, Woven Wood Buckle Belt, High-Rise Skinny Jeans, Finnet Wedge Sandal

Creativity is a skill; a muscle, that needs to be exercised regularly. I used to feed my creativity through creative outlets, like

• Standup comedy and improv
• Photography
• A mix of creative writing
• Time spent with family and friends
• Traveling
• Bingeing on TV shows and Netflix series

Now, in-person interactions are limited, travel and other events are at a standstill, and TV and Internet grow tiring fast. So what is there to do?

Get creative!

I know – that’s the challenge, but it also is the most simple solution. Find new ways to do the things you love, or find new things to do until you can do the original things you loved once again. For me, that means finally launching two creative business ventures I’d been talking about and thinking about for years, but never having enough time. Well, now I have the time, and I made them happen! (More on those to come.)

It also means virtual meetings, practices, and rehearsals with my improv friends. And taking Zoom seminars of comedy writing and trying out some virtual standup comedy.

It means self-shooting content indoors, or shooting outdoors content, but socially distanced, of course. And getting creative with seeing friends and making romantic connections, whether virtually, or at a safe distance in person. It means more self-care, stocking up on more books to read, spending more time reading my Bible, and the occasional worthy binge-watch; The Last Dance, anyone?

How are you managing finding new ways to get creative, and flex your creativity muscles right now?

Photos: n’spirational images