This time has been difficult and draining, to say the very least. We are all looking for ways to blow off steam, and creating something is a great option. I know that personally, I find art and being creative daunting sometimes. It can be hard to try something completely new and not worry about being terrible at it or obsessing over the details. However, once you get past the initial worry and put in some effort, being creative is a great outlet! The other great thing about creating something is that there are so many different ways to do so.
Related: In Times of Crisis, We Turn to the Creative Arts
Arts and Crafts
The most obvious way to be creative is to make art or crafts. This could be anything, from drawing or painting to embroidering. Visual art is an amazing way to relax and focus on something positive. You can create whatever you want in whatever way you want. Art is also accessible; all you need is a pencil and an idea. You can get supplies from any craft store and there are great websites, like Pinterest and Youtube, that have multitudes of ideas and tips for you to get started.
Writing
Writing is also a really great outlet to express your creativity. You can write full-length books if you’re really ambitious, but you can also start small and write short stories or poems. Writing is great because you don’t need any supplies at all, just Microsoft Word or Google Docs. There are so many different styles and genres of writing that it is really versatile for everyone. Blogging is another great way to get your ideas out to the world and build a writing portfolio. Even if no one else ever reads your writing, it is satisfying just to have created something solely from your own imagination.
Photography
The majority of the population has a phone with a camera these days, so taking pictures is so easy for anyone to do. Taking photos is a great way to be creative during COVID because it makes you get out of your house and allows you to explore the outdoors. It’s also useful because photographs can capture all of the positive memories we have during this time. Since they’re few and hard to come by, it makes it even more important. Videography can also be a great outlet because you can fuse video with creative storytelling and musical scoring. Whether it’s taking photos or making short films, using your camera is a fun and easy way to get outside and be creative.
Music
My last easy way to be creative during COVID is making or playing music. Whether it is picking up a new instrument, honing your singing skills, or composing your own songs, music is a really soothing way to relax during these stressful times. I personally have been learning the ukulele, and it has been a really enjoyable activity these past few months. You can learn your favorite songs and track your progress with any instrument, which can be really fun. Even if you can’t get access to an instrument, there are apps like Garageband that allow you to combine instruments and write your own songs. Music relieves stress and can be a joyful addition to your everyday tasks.
A lot of us have been very stressed and feeling down lately. it’s important that we take some time out of our day to try to create something or do an activity that brings us joy. Whether it’s a few seconds to doodle or a lengthy story, try to sit down and be creative in whatever outlet you prefer!