Can you still recall how excited you were about the beginning of the year? Can you still recall your New Year’s resolutions? Have you had a chance or strength or motivation to accomplish any of those resolutions? And how about that 2020 vision?
Maybe “plagued” might be a more appropriate word to describe this year. The pandemic has altered our lives in profound, horrible, and terrifying ways. Yet, at least in part, it has also been a blessing in disguise. Let me explain….
Among others:
Covid-19 has helped us revisit not only our New Year’s resolutions but also our life’s resolutions. As a result, it has forced us to take a good look at our journey through life thus far, learn from our mistakes, and reconsider decisions we’re about to make as we look ahead, beyond this year and this pandemic. In fewer words and in many ways, the Coronavirus pandemic has forced us to press the RESET button on our lives.
Also, during our quarantine, we were given the chance to rediscover ourselves and reconsider what (who) is important in our lives, and why.
During our quarantine, and sadly only because of it, Mother Nature has finally had a chance to recover, at least in part.
Coronavirus has also helped us rediscover new, creative, ways of doing things, of going through our everyday life, and attempting to stay sane while at it. As a result, some of us have used that time to reconnect with Mother Nature, as well as with our own selves. While trying to adjust to the new norm, we’ve lived through depression, isolation, and uncertainty, and, as a bonus, we’ve found much-needed mental relief in our pets.
Covid-19 has also helped us reconnect with our loved ones and spend more quality time with them. It has also helped us rediscover old traditions, in particular the art of making things from scratch, and thus follow in the footsteps of our grannies and in some cases our mothers. For example, during the quarantine I’ve tried my hand at making bread, cutting and trimming hair…among others.
Coronavirus has also shown us who among our friends, neighbors, and fellow humans think of us enough to respect us and our health, and, thus, follow the new boundaries and rules enforced by the pandemic–things like wearing a mask over our mouth and nose or keeping a safe distance of at least six feet (and also some people’s unwillingness to do so) come to mind. Their behavior has affected, directly and indirectly, our way of life during this time, during this pandemic. When all is said and done, will we remember their actions and behaviors? Will they?
[above and below: Covid-19 quarantine self-portraits in black and white]
Covid-19 has also helped us rediscover the importance and significance of small things, pleasures (and must-haves) in life: the ability to breathe and smell, and the joy of taking in a full breath of fresh, sea, air; the feeling associated with going out and about, strolling through a museum or gallery, or a park; the meaning of an embrace or getting together with friends and loved ones….
The Coronavirus pandemic has also inspired many of us to act in some helpful way–become activists, document this particular moment, create Covid-19-inspired artwork, leave a footprint, a mark, so that future generations will be able to look back at this time and learn about this pandemic through our creative work and actions.
Personally, I’ve found myself compelled to document the pandemic in some way, and you’ve seen some facets of that work in this blog. My question to you is: how has Covid-19 inspired your creative work, if at all? Feel free to share, if you so desire.
Thank you in advance and, as always, thanks for stopping by.
Alina Oswald 