A few weeks ago, I shared on my Instagram page that I haven’t felt inspired to create lately. It’s honestly been a struggle for the last month to write, put outfits together, and to take pictures. I haven’t even felt like shopping for sneakers. Shocking right?
As a result, I have been extremely hard on myself and have been putting tremendous pressure on myself to create. I mean, I created a platform to do just that. Just when I decided to grant myself a little grace and trust that my creative juices would start flowing again soon, the Covoid-19 pandemic kicked into high gear in the United States and we were forced to stay at home. Almost immediately the message all over Instagram has been to use this time to create. While I understand the messages are intended to inspire, it did just the opposite for me. I felt even more guilty, more pressure, and if I’m honest a little bullied. One post I came across basically said that if you don’t come out of this quarantine with a new skill, your side hustle started, or more knowledge; you never lacked time, you lacked discipline. Really???
Just as I was about to log off feeling like even more of a loser for feeling so uninspired in a time where so many are inspired, I read a blog by Melissa Chanel titled “Creative Pressure During Covid-19” and I have never felt more seen. Thanks Melissa! In the blog post she talked about the pressure to create and how it is ok if you just aren’t feeling inspired to create right now. Instead she suggests that maybe this time is for some of us to rest. I wholeheartedly agree.
Currently we are living through something we have never seen before. These are truly unprecedented times for most of us. It is scary. A lot of us are alone because we are being asked to stay at home. A lot of us are on the front lines in hospitals, grocery stores, pharmacies, restaurants, and other essential businesses. A lot of us still have to work remotely. A lot of us have to balance working full time with teaching our kids from home while also trying to keep them entertained. A lot of us have lost jobs or had to lay off staff. A lot of us have lost friends and family to this horrible virus. My boyfriend is currently grieving the loss of his friend to Covoid-19. We are all anxious, worried, scared, tired, and just trying our best to make it day by day.
If you are someone that is using this time to grow your business or to create, I commend you. But if you’re like me and you are struggling, that is ok too. Self-care is more than just getting a manicure, pedicure, or massage. Self-care is taking care of yourself and giving yourself what you need during this weird and scary time we are living through. For some it may mean taking a break from social media or the news. For others it may mean talking to friends or family more. And for others it may mean cooking or exercising. Whatever it looks like for you, just make sure you take time to listen to what it is you need. And do that thing. If right now all you can do is survive to see another day, then do that. The business ideas, the blog, and social medial will all be here when you are ready to return.
As for me I have decided to grant myself the grace that I so freely give to others. Right now, I am anxious and not feeling like myself. I am going to give myself however long I need to feel like me again. And when I feel up to it, I will create.
Take care of yourself. Be safe. And please stay home if you can.
