By now, we all know what is going on in the world and are all struggling to deal with the ongoing Covid-19 pandemic. It’s been life changing for many of us, and also maddening with all the constant updates and changes to our day to day lives. It’s hard not to go insane during theses times when it’s not just small bits of our lives that being affected, it’s everything and many of us didn’t get a chance to be eased into it. It was quick and for some almost violent (especially for retail and medical professionals).
Artists and other small business owners are dealing with fear of the lose of income, closure, and event cancellations. It leaves us all feeling scared and can be off putting to new coming artists who were considering previously starting up before everything happened.
I know for me as this started to become a problem for the US, I was Just finishing preparping myself to bring back my online store. I had finally replaced equipment that had died and had the help of my partner to build a more efficient work space, including a new desk. All I had to do was update my website. I wanted (and eventually did) change the platform I was using to host my site. I almost didn’t though,I was scared and thought it would be worthless at this time and that I was just going to make a fool out of myself because people wouldn’t be here. No one would want to buy from me out of need of being able to prepare for their new live. And yes, that has and is happening at the moment.
But, I have come to find positivity out of this mess. I would have less eyes on my site and the mess it would be. I could comfortably work on rebuilding from scratch without having to really worry about people seeing the website in it’s early stages. No one would have to see those embarrassing moments where I forgot finish editing pages and had the sample text left right across my page, especially in the about me where for my info it just said I am paragraph.
I also had something to distract me during the beginning of the panic. The first few days seeing all over the internet and tv the mass panic of everyone buying out stored, businesses closing, doubting the virus, being put under isolation, and the number of cases growing quickly all around. It was to much to handle (and still is if I’m not careful). Being asked daily at work about updates for the area, my opinio, and why I was still working was overwhelming. I am still working because my day job is considered essential. I have pets who rely on me to take care of them and provide for them. I can’t let them down. I can’t explain to them whats going on and how it’s a struggle and since I deal with the public. I am nervous everyday I go into my day job, worried about being exposed but the fear of my babies possibly starving scares me the most of all. If I don’t keep busy at home, or don’t go to work I would go insane and I can’t have that.
Rebuilding a website from scratch, and working on new pieces keeps me going. Even if that means everyday I come home and immediately jump in the shower, it’s worth it. I take every precaution I can and I keep my mind busy.
The pandemic is overwhelming and we are going to be here awhile it looks like. So, I’m going to do my best and take it one day at a time. If that means I photograph every piece I have available for sale then so be it. By the time we get out of this, my website will be something I’m proud of...posting my art can help distract others and give them something to look foreword to.
For some artists, my self included, we can take this time to get those things we’ve been saying for so long that we need to get done, done. Need to edit pieces for merch on sites such as redbubble, you’ve got time to do it. Artwork you need to finish, time to do it. Hell, do you have a website you’ve been needing to update, do it. Been having a creative itch lately but not the time to do, now you do! Do you need some rest, take it!
This is a hard time, but you can make it your time. This isn’t going to last forever so make It your time. Use it to get ahead with Some of your goals. You don’t have to watch the spread in real time We don’t have to panic during these times, we just need to breathe and keep ourselves distracted so as to not go insane.
I know many people are saying the same thing but it’s true, if we need to keep ourselves busy. We most keep calm, and yes, being told we can go do something makes us want to do it even more. In that aspect, we are still children. We can do this we just have to change in there. Don’t forget, just because we are having to take part in social distancing doesn’t mean we can’t socialize..especially since we have so many forms. We have an insane amount of communication apps, in so many varieties. We may be physically far from each other but we really aren’t all that far at the end of the day.
We can do this, we just need to hang in there. One day at a time is the best we can do, stay strong and breath.
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