Corona virus, lockdown, another blog post. Wherever you look there are terrible times occurring. It’s crazy, right? As I type this blog I’m shocked at how quickly things have changed. Two weeks ago I sat alone, headphones in, creatively writing in my free time. This week? Well, yeah, much the same.
If you’re in the UK we’re all in the same boat. The government is asking us to stay home, social distance and steer clear of each other. Obviously this is the right thing to do and something everybody reading is (hopefully) taking seriously. Just over a century ago they conscripted men my age into the British army to fight in World War One. Being asked to work from home and not socialise with people for a few months is not an enormous deal in comparison.
So what to do with all that free time? My hope with this blog is to inspire you to do something creative during the lockdown. Maybe to emerge from the other side having fulfilled something you otherwise would have not. I’ve got some ideas below, not just writing, of what you can spend this unprecedented period doing. Hone a skill, scratch that creative itch and develop that talent! But if that sounds like too much hard work, you could always check out my Netflix recommendations instead…
Music
Do full album listens of artists you’ve always wanted to check out. Craft and generate playlists. Now is a perfect time to discover the wealth of music out there in the world. Playing an instrument or writing music doesn’t have to be the only music creativity. That said, if you really want to dig out the pots, pans and wooden spoons become the drummer you were always destined to be…
Be Artful
My girlfriend is doing a daily drawing challenge with artful. Owls, camels and dogs have been some highlights so far. There’s also options for people like me who look like they draw with their feet. Bob Ross has his own YouTube channel with all his classic paint along videos. Spend an hour doing one of those and you’ll end up with a great painting at the end.
Reading
This blog definitely counts as reading… But books also exist! The news and social media is stressful at the moment. The power of books is that it forces you to completely focus on something else. You can’t play on your phone or chat when reading. Fiction or non-fiction there isn’t escapism like it and I’m a firm believer in there being a book for every taste and ability. Why not spend half an hour browsing Waterstones website to build up a bit of a list?
Creative Writing
Why do I like creative writing? Part of it is that nothing chills me out more. I sit there with a screen and type. I create, rework, revisit and mold words on a page until they mean something. Characters, places and stories from my head translated and manipulated into something that people can read. The beauty of all this stuff is that you are never under any pressure to show anyone what you create. I might be rubbish at writing. That’d be awkward. Feel free to not feedback in the comments section below.
In conclusion, there are TONNES of creative things you could do. Or you could order a few crates of local beer and wait for this to blow over. That too. PLEASE JUST STAY INSIDE.
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