I know you’re tired of all the bad news and the awful disruption to your lives. I know, like me, you are very concerned for the health of your family, friends, and others who you have had some kind of social or business interaction prior to this virus. The social distancing, the staying home, it all wears on you if it isn’t something you are used to doing.

Like a lot of artists, I spend most of my day by myself in front of a canvas or other substrate distanced from whatever or whoever is in the house. For me, it’s the norm. It’s part of the process. However, most people don’t live like this.

So… what can you do during these extra stressful times?

Find your creative side! Sounds trite, but it isn’t. I’m not making light of a very serious public health situation. Finding your creative side is a healthy thing to do, especially for your mental state.

Everyone has a creative side. When we are young, it naturally and freely expresses itself. Kids don’t care if something is not perfect. They just enjoy the creating of whatever it is they are working on. Most people lose that joy of expression as they get older… until such time as they discover an aptitude or enjoyment of a particular hobby or outlet for their free time… or they just let go of it completely and never get it back.

But… even hobbies can get boring if you do the same thing over and over. Not to mention that you just can’t do some of them right now!

So, once again, find your creative side! Express yourself. Write a short story or poetry (nobody else needs to read it), try drawing or painting something you see or something you totally make up (nobody else needs to see it), get some glue and make sculpture out of stuff you have laying around the house… like all those empty toilet paper rolls. Sing! Dance! Encourage others to do the same. Feeling stuck? You can get plenty of ideas for things to do from the internet. No internet? No problem… use your imagination! Just don’t do anything that could harm someone or something.

So… don’t sit (or pace) and stress. If you are still healthy, and I hope you are, explore your creative side. Trust me, you have one. Take time to find it.