The Government wants you to stay home. Use this time to create.
In the shadows of COVID-19 lies a hero. I’ll give you a hint — it's not Batman and it’s not a kitchen full of pizza, although both would be sweet.
The hero in this time of our lives is… we’ll, time. Your time.
The Coronavirus has cast a dark cloud over our world and our daily lives. People are in a panic. Everyday essentials are out of stock at your local grocery stores (#toiletpaperapocalypse). No one can spend time at the local bar or corner restaurant.
Nearly one in three American residents were ordered on Sunday (March 22nd) to stay home to slow the spread of the Coronavirus pandemic. Ohio, Louisiana and Delaware became the latest states to set in place restrictions, along with the city of Philadelphia, according to Reuters.
As our lives increasingly become abnormal, it helps to react in a way that’s not only positive, but benefits us.
An Amazing Opportunity
For those struggling with cabin fever or are maybe at whits-end with their significant other or roommate, you’re probably dreading this time at home.
Alternatively, if you’re an optimist or looking to change how you react to this abnormal time, use this opportunity.
Right now, and I mean RIGHT NOW, we all have been given an amazing opportunity. It’s quite possibly a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.
I get it — that sounds crazy and maybe a little arrogant to what’s happening around us. Just hear me out.
We haven’t seen any improvement in #flatteningthecurve and lowering the rate of people affected by COVID-19. Numbers, especially in the United States, continue to rise. Curfews have been set by local and state officials.
As of this Monday morning, there are now more than 140,000 cases of Coronavirus in the U.S. and at least 2,400 people have died.
Social distancing will seem to last until the end of April, and most likely beyond.
If you don’t have to go anywhere, stay the f**k home.
Use this opportunity and your time to be creative.
Create, Create, Create
Right now is the perfect opportunity to create.
Use this time to do and create all the things you’ve wanted to, but you haven’t had the time for.
Start jotting down your thoughts, ideas, and daily happenings in the journal you have sitting in your nightstand drawer.
Produce a music mix like you’re DJ-ing for thousands of people.
Make content and ‘how-to’ videos and upload them to your dormant YouTube page.
Paint like your the WFH Bob Ross.
Go live on Instagram or Facebook and create a “concert” for your followers.
Design a website for your blog. Grow your personal brand.
Write, write, write. I mean, that’s why we’re on Medium right? We love creating things with our passion for what we can do with words.
You “never had the time” to create. Now you have the time. Do it. Create it.
If you cannot change a situation, change the way that you react to it.
Use Your Time Wisely
Think about all that’s been added to your watch list on Netflix. You could grab a beer, some snacks, kick back, and dive into your watch list.
How about those content creators on YouTube and Twitch. When they’re live throughout the day, you could spend your time watching them create.
Curious about what everyone is doing while being stuck at home? Spend your hours' aimless scrolling through social media feeds.
But — do these all really seem like the best ways to spend your days of quarantine at home? Maybe they do for some, but not for me.
Use this time as an opportunity. Create, create, create.
Find your inspiration.
I’m in Creative Prison
I’m choosing to look at this time as “creative prison”.
My Internet is still running. The electricity is still flowing throughout my apartment. There’s food in the kitchen. Hell, I even have a window to look out of like I’m a dog watching strangers walk by.
I’ve been put in “creative prison”. I’ve been “forced” to create.
I’ll be honest, that’s not such a bad thing. I’ve actually been longing this time.
What I’m Creating During COVID-19
Writing — I spend a lot of time during working (and non-working hours) writing content for my company and my non-profit. Blog posts, company news, PR statements, etc… That’s what I’m writing during any typical day.
With my time now, I’m writing for me. I’m writing more stories here on Medium. I read so much on here, yet I haven’t produced nearly as many stories as I’ve wanted to.
I actually purchased a journal and have spent every morning writing in it. I’ll grab my cup of coffee, sit by the window that gets the most morning sunlight, and write.
I choose to write in the mornings because there are fewer distractions happening — my girlfriend is sound asleep, there’s no work emails or phone calls chiming in, less noisy cars on the road- it's just quite.
Sketching- This hobby that I’ve rekindled has brought back a lot of memories and inspiration.
In my storage unit, I found an old binder from middle school, filled with sketchbooks, drawings, and books from which I’d take artwork from and free-hand draw.
I never had the time to sit down and sketch. Now, it’s a new hobby added to my list again.
What are you going to create with your time? Comment below!
