When the fire is not burning anymore
Feeling uncreative, unproductive, and altogether uninspired? You’re not alone. From binge-watching series and documentaries to spending way too much time on Zoom, we’ve all been a little inefficient over the lockdown, and as frustrating as it has been for many of us, it's not without its lessons.
The scientific community has been churning out articles over the past months on the consequences of a disrupted world on our health and daily lives, and in particular our productivity. The writer Gretchen Ferrao Walker notes that ‘within the constructs of a capitalist society, productivity is often deeply tied to self-worth’. Is that why we feel inclined to keep ourselves so busy, to comfortably avoid all those uncomfortable realities within ourselves? Even with productivity comes toxicity; an anxiety to remain at pace, for example. Maybe, however, the best approach is to engage in things that spark our personal growth, instead of our career trajectory?
“Within the constructs of a capitalist society,
productivity is often deeptly tied to self-worth.”
CONFRONT YOUR FEELINGS.
Accept what you’re feeling and don’t try to deny it. Allow yourself a little vulnerability and let go of the need to suppress or challenge your emotions. Instead, sit with them and listen to what they awaken within you.
SEE THE BEAUTY IN HIGHS AND LOWS.
Be grateful for the highs and lows of life, there’s beauty in them. There are lessons we can learn from down times, which can be focused on through meditation. If you often feel angry or upset by daily matters, or have chronic pain, meditate on it and let it settle, for example. These techniques can strengthen you in the face of difficult times and help you learn from them, rather than simply react.
DISCONNECT FROM SOCIAL MEDIA.
Stop caring about what others think and focus on yourself. Nothing good ever came out of focusing on others' lives. Nonetheless, it can be disconcerting. Don’t forget that everyone struggles and has their own insecurities that they will never share or talk about. Take some time to rethink your own purpose and strengths, understand yourself and make a point to change the things that don’t seem to be aligned with who you are.
FIND YOURSELF A NEW CREATIVE OUTLET.
Use your creative energy to nourish yourself with a positive outlook. Feed yourself with anything that will soothe your brain, body and soul, and which will raise your vibrations. Need ideas? Read a book, take a course on something you’re interested in, write a song, dance, sing, draw, build a vision board, redecorate your house; the list is endless.
REACH OUT TO YOUR LOVED ONES WHETHER YOU NEED IT OR NOT.
Even if you don’t feel like it, stay connected to your friends and family in times of stress and uncertainty. Physical distancing doesn’t mean social distancing, and it can help you stay calm and feel grounded.
This article was published for the first time in Humankind Magazine, Numero 1.