Category Archives: Creative Practice
Positive Change in Tough Times
“If you don’t like something, change it. If you can’t change it, change your attitude.”
Maya Angelou
I’m sure I’m not alone in being in a state of shock by the sudden arrival of Covid-19 back in March. After a few weeks when the initial paralysis had passed, I learned some useful things. When talking to friends I’ve described the experience of the last four months as, “like going on a retreat”. Why is change so difficult? I find it hard to instigate change without going through pain or discomfort first. Although there are a lot of negatives to the Covid-19 crisis, there have been some positives for me. I hope you have found the same.
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Finding Your Way in Uncertain Times
“We demand rigidly defined areas of doubt and uncertainty.”
Douglas Adams
I woke up on a Saturday morning about six weeks ago feeling spaced out and a bit odd. I recognised the feeling as signs of anxiety. I have been lucky in my life and haven’t really suffered from anxiety and so when it does turn up it’s not a feeling that I’m used to. I’ve heard a lot of people describe their experience of the Covid-19 crisis as, “like a wave”. One minute you’re having a good day and then, without warning, you wake up the next day feeling a bit odd. I spent most of that weekend wandering around; not doing much, thinking and drawing a blank. I couldn’t work out the cause. After a whole weekend of thinking, I realised that the cause of my worry was uncertainty!
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The Six Habits of a Recovering Work-a-holic
“When he worked, he really worked. But when he played, he really PLAYED.”
― Dr. Seuss
I’m motivated, I get loads done and am focused, most of the time. Being super busy is always seen as a good thing. But is it? Especially when you realise that you don’t know how to stop.
Covid-19 has changed so many things in our lives, some are good and some bad. One good thing this crisis has done for me is that it’s forced me to stop and has given me space to think.
Back in March, we had a lovely weekend away in St Albans meeting up with family. After such a lovely weekend I came down to earth with a bump the following week when the true scale of the situation hit me. My workload reduced, forcing me to question why I was sitting at my desk as I didn’t have any work to do. For the next 3-4 weeks I got up every morning and sat at my desk. It took me a while to realise that I didn’t know how to stop working or switch off. I had planned a week off in early May but the idea of a week at home scared me. I didn’t know how to stop work things going around my head.
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Focus and prioritising your creative goals
I have never felt as unsettled and uncertain as now. Over the past month my emotions have been unpredictable, approaching like a wave. One morning, I wake up relaxed and calm without a care in the world. Then, the following day I have feelings of anxiety from a lack of knowledge about what comes next.
I am excited about what the future might hold and the positive changes that I’m sure will happen as a result. I often say I love change and as a result what we are all going through feels like a test. Am I happy to jump in with both feet? What personal changes am I prepared to make? What are the processes that will help me to be open to possibility? How can I support others to come through tough times? How can we all support each other more? There are so many questions, popping up in my head, all the time.
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Human Connection
– Why is it important for your creative practice?
Aaron D. O’Connell, Quantum Physicist, University of California
“Your connections to all the things around you define who you are.”
Why are connections important?
Humans thrive on being together and connected, it’s something that we all take for granted. As a result of the Covid-19 virus emergency, every day I see examples of disconnected people. People craving hugs, hooking up for online conversations or talking to strangers. It’s been clearer than ever that we need to connect to stay sane.
A conversation that I have seen people having on social media is about the science behind hugs. So, I thought I’d better look it up and I found is that there is proof that hugs do boost our happiness. A good hug is the fastest way for you to get oxytocin flowing in your body. Oxytocin, calms your nervous system and boosts positive emotions.
Read the full article here: https://happyologist.co.uk/fun/the-shocking-truth-behind-hugs/
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