What an unexpected and turbulent year it has been so far. From the global pandemic to the deaths of George Floyd, Breonna Taylor and the many others whose lives have tragically been taken away due to ongoing systemic racism, abuses and inequality in the World, 2020 has turned in to a heartbreaking and unsettling one to say the least!
Creatively speaking, all the happenings, uncertainties and injustices of late, have left me in all honesty a bit creatively stifled. There have been many days where I’ve only had enough energy to cry and weep; where I could only lament and rant (mostly to my poor other half!), or simply do the basics of feeding, dressing, and going for my daily walk in nature’s peace. It has been a struggle to know what to say, to reassure myself, friends, family; and equally difficult to even attempt to translate all the deep pain, hurt, devastation and anger I’ve felt in to a poem, piece of art or a new song. So, over the past few months I have simply given myself the time and space to just observe and to feel, without adding any pressure to creatively express anything if it hasn’t arrived naturally. And that, I have realised is ok.
For any artists, writers, singers, creatives reading this, who like me, always feel they should be creating something, or translating all of their emotions and feelings in to art, it is absolutely ok not to. Sometimes a wound, feeling, experience, trauma is inarticulable, even in an expressive form like art, prose or music.
Over these past few months, I have realised that to be an artist and creative person, doesn’t mean I always need to be doing. To truly express creatively, I think this challenging period has taught me, that you also need to take the time to prioritise rest, to heal, to reflect and to process. It is so important to fully understand what you are feeling and why, before trying to interpret that in to something creatively meaningful. That’s how I see it anyway!
Sending positivity to anyone who needs it right now! Stay safe and stay well! x