Being Creative During Trying Times
The time to be creative is now
*insert a cavalcade of cuss words and jokes about how the last week has felt like a month has felt like a year has felt like a lifetime
In times like these, the thought or desire to be creative, to make art, can begin to feel like a luxury too expensive to engage. Between the ramp up into last year’s election and now, I have had several times I’ve questioned myself as I went to write. Is it important for me to write? Does it matter if I write? THE WORLD IS BURNING, how do I bring myself to write comedic essays? Is what I’m writing important enough, urgent enough?
Some days I’m not sure. Some days the feeling to create is urgent. I think both responses are valid. I remind myself that I am one Black woman writer in a long heritage and history of Black writers that wrote and made art in trying times, in times of violence, in times of injustice. Some of my ancestors wrote about the anger, sadness, and frustration they felt. Some of them wrote love poems and love songs. Some of them painted and photographed the vivid images of the everyday and ordinary and the abstract and visceral.
I find myself repeating: making art is important, being creative is important, even now. Because Toni Morrison told us this. Nikki Giovanni told us this. James Baldwin told us this. I repeat this to myself when I stare at the blinking cursor as I finish my book, as I approach my creative work with gentleness, as I connect with the artists and creative people in my community.
We need our creativity more than ever: to problem solve, to make art, to stay connected with our humanity and the humanity of others. So some days, however I am, I bring that to my creative work. I bring my rage, my anxiety, my questions, the comedy I find in unusual places. I bring my curiosity, my intense desire to see the most vulnerable among us cared for, and my love of storytelling.
Be creative. Be angry. Take some time outs. Get some rest. Care for yourself. Care for others. Write. Paint. Remember, when you do this, you’re not alone. We can be creative together.
Creating a New Thing
I’m launching a creative community on Patreon for paid subscribers called Live Creatively. If you are feeling stuck in a creative rut, if you have creative ideas that have been lying dormant, if you want to rediscover your creativity, this community is for you. Each month the Live Creatively Patreon will feature creativity prompts, workshops and Q&As on topics that can help you in your creative work or hobbies.
On Tuesday, February 4 at 7pm EST, I’ll be going on Instagram Live where I will answer any creativity and creative process questions you have and tell you a bit more about the Live Creatively Community. Hope to see you there!
Black Girl is a Verb will still be here on Substack as my free newsletter and the home for my writerly musings. The Live Creatively Patreon community is a place for people to rediscover their inspiration alongside other artists and creatives.
I’m watching…90 Day Fiancé Last Resort!
I’m reading…How Stella Got Her Groove Back by Terry McMillan
Feeling inspired by…seeing Tank and the Bangas in concert!
Shoutout to…Lesser Evil Popcorn and Unreal candies because they are getting me throoouuughhhh
Things I’m working on…7 essays away from finishing the first draft of my book manuscript!
I live in Washington, DC. Everyone needs to keep writing right now, keep up community. And never, ever give up.
Comedy is how we fight fascism! Your work is essential, ESPECIALLY right now. Thank you for this.