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How to Stay Creative While Stuck at Home How to Stay Creative While Stuck at Home
(about 20 hours later)
In a few short months, the Covid-19 pandemic has shut down movie sets, stopped global concert tours and pushed famous names to the sidelines. And it has also disrupted the creative lives of millions of others whose names might never have appeared on a marquee.In a few short months, the Covid-19 pandemic has shut down movie sets, stopped global concert tours and pushed famous names to the sidelines. And it has also disrupted the creative lives of millions of others whose names might never have appeared on a marquee.
Buskers have fled the subways. Community theater actors run their lines on video calls. With bookstores and cafes closed, poetry readings have moved online. Classical musicians have lost their incomes and their ability to compose with their ensembles. Dancers dance alone.Buskers have fled the subways. Community theater actors run their lines on video calls. With bookstores and cafes closed, poetry readings have moved online. Classical musicians have lost their incomes and their ability to compose with their ensembles. Dancers dance alone.
Once they spent untold hours practicing together, sometimes making a living. Now they are sidelined, trying to adapt. A photographer who once roamed the New York streets taking portraits now limits pictures to his apartment and his block. A nail artist used to the intimacy of holding a client’s fingers now paints images on fake nails. A classical musician plays the violin for friends after a shared video dinner. A pop choir watches movie musicals together, singing separately in their Zoom windows.Once they spent untold hours practicing together, sometimes making a living. Now they are sidelined, trying to adapt. A photographer who once roamed the New York streets taking portraits now limits pictures to his apartment and his block. A nail artist used to the intimacy of holding a client’s fingers now paints images on fake nails. A classical musician plays the violin for friends after a shared video dinner. A pop choir watches movie musicals together, singing separately in their Zoom windows.
Practical concerns aside, it can be difficult to keep creating during a pandemic that has already killed more than 180,000 people worldwide. Even so, people who need to express themselves through their art are finding new ways.Practical concerns aside, it can be difficult to keep creating during a pandemic that has already killed more than 180,000 people worldwide. Even so, people who need to express themselves through their art are finding new ways.
That urge is natural in a crisis, and so is the uncertainty and lack of motivation, said Scott Barry Kaufman, a humanistic psychologist, host of “The Psychology Podcast” and author of “Transcend: The New Science of Self-Actualization.”That urge is natural in a crisis, and so is the uncertainty and lack of motivation, said Scott Barry Kaufman, a humanistic psychologist, host of “The Psychology Podcast” and author of “Transcend: The New Science of Self-Actualization.”
According to Dr. Kaufman, people have trouble creating — a form of “self-actualizing” — when there is “too much uncertainty in our heads, too much incoherence and things just don’t make sense anymore.” We are tempted to “focus on a very narrow slice of ourselves, abandoning our highest potentiality,” he said.According to Dr. Kaufman, people have trouble creating — a form of “self-actualizing” — when there is “too much uncertainty in our heads, too much incoherence and things just don’t make sense anymore.” We are tempted to “focus on a very narrow slice of ourselves, abandoning our highest potentiality,” he said.
Dr. Kaufman suggests that artists use the isolation for reflection. “This is a really great time to use meditation and creative expression to learn how to be, learn how to focus on what really matters and express themselves in a way that allows them to create new meanings in their lives,” he said.Dr. Kaufman suggests that artists use the isolation for reflection. “This is a really great time to use meditation and creative expression to learn how to be, learn how to focus on what really matters and express themselves in a way that allows them to create new meanings in their lives,” he said.
That is the path to great art, he noted. “People really resonate with new interpretations of common reality, and that is what artists are really good at.”That is the path to great art, he noted. “People really resonate with new interpretations of common reality, and that is what artists are really good at.”
When the shutdown drove people indoors, Ray Spears, a 30-year-old photographer in Harlem, felt aimless at first.When the shutdown drove people indoors, Ray Spears, a 30-year-old photographer in Harlem, felt aimless at first.
“I kind of just sat around the house,” Mr. Spears, who normally shoots street photography, said. “I am very scared, but also I have time to think about what I’ve done and where I’ve come from, which is great for me.”“I kind of just sat around the house,” Mr. Spears, who normally shoots street photography, said. “I am very scared, but also I have time to think about what I’ve done and where I’ve come from, which is great for me.”
Mr. Spears, who has been published in Hypebeast and Caddie Magazine and has directed several music videos, is slowly adjusting. Recently he ordered film, thinking he might take photos at home, perhaps still life images of household objects.Mr. Spears, who has been published in Hypebeast and Caddie Magazine and has directed several music videos, is slowly adjusting. Recently he ordered film, thinking he might take photos at home, perhaps still life images of household objects.
“I normally don’t do it, but I need to do it to exercise the muscle and just for my own sake,” Mr. Spears said. “I haven’t really left the block in a month.”“I normally don’t do it, but I need to do it to exercise the muscle and just for my own sake,” Mr. Spears said. “I haven’t really left the block in a month.”
It took Ami Vega, 37, a nail artist in New York, some time to get over the paralyzing stress that she felt.It took Ami Vega, 37, a nail artist in New York, some time to get over the paralyzing stress that she felt.
“The first couple of weeks my mind was nowhere near creating or thinking of nail art,” Ms. Vega said. “Stress was a bigger component than creating at that moment. It is a scary time and my mind was on my family. I’m just starting to get my mojo back now.”“The first couple of weeks my mind was nowhere near creating or thinking of nail art,” Ms. Vega said. “Stress was a bigger component than creating at that moment. It is a scary time and my mind was on my family. I’m just starting to get my mojo back now.”
Although Ms. Vega has not seen any of her clients in weeks, she has found a way to express her art without breaking her social distancing bubble. Typically, Ms. Vega uses her clients’ nail beds as tiny, temporary canvases.Although Ms. Vega has not seen any of her clients in weeks, she has found a way to express her art without breaking her social distancing bubble. Typically, Ms. Vega uses her clients’ nail beds as tiny, temporary canvases.
She mixes different gel nail polishes to create her own colors and uses miniature brushes to draw replicas of works by Jean-Michel Basquiat, Andy Warhol and Pablo Picasso and to create original work on her clients’ nails.She mixes different gel nail polishes to create her own colors and uses miniature brushes to draw replicas of works by Jean-Michel Basquiat, Andy Warhol and Pablo Picasso and to create original work on her clients’ nails.
She now paints fake gel nail tips that she would normally use for nail extensions. Her customers can order sets that range from $60 to $120.She now paints fake gel nail tips that she would normally use for nail extensions. Her customers can order sets that range from $60 to $120.
“It felt a little strange to pick up a brush,” Ms. Vega said. “Now it feels good, and it is therapeutic again. I’m back.”“It felt a little strange to pick up a brush,” Ms. Vega said. “Now it feels good, and it is therapeutic again. I’m back.”
Other creative people have found substitutions for their work and new interests. Linda Cho, a costume designer who was nominated for a Tony Award for her work on the Broadway musical “Anastasia,” said she was relishing the time away from the theater.Other creative people have found substitutions for their work and new interests. Linda Cho, a costume designer who was nominated for a Tony Award for her work on the Broadway musical “Anastasia,” said she was relishing the time away from the theater.
“I’m a jigsaw-puzzle person!” Ms. Cho exclaimed in an interview. “It is a constant culling and micro decision-making. It requires the same skills I use at work.”“I’m a jigsaw-puzzle person!” Ms. Cho exclaimed in an interview. “It is a constant culling and micro decision-making. It requires the same skills I use at work.”
Ms. Cho ordinarily spends most of her time traveling for work, but she recently found fulfillment in learning how to cook pot roast, a dish she never dreamed of making. She is also spending more time with her 8- and 9-year-old sons.Ms. Cho ordinarily spends most of her time traveling for work, but she recently found fulfillment in learning how to cook pot roast, a dish she never dreamed of making. She is also spending more time with her 8- and 9-year-old sons.
“If I wasn’t a helicopter mom before, I might be now,” Ms. Cho said.“If I wasn’t a helicopter mom before, I might be now,” Ms. Cho said.
Brian Thompson, 46, a classical musician and teacher who plays with the String Orchestra of Brooklyn and other ensembles, craves being in front of a live audience.Brian Thompson, 46, a classical musician and teacher who plays with the String Orchestra of Brooklyn and other ensembles, craves being in front of a live audience.
Updated June 1, 2020 Updated June 2, 2020
Mass protests against police brutality that have brought thousands of people onto the streets in cities across America are raising the specter of new coronavirus outbreaks, prompting political leaders, physicians and public health experts to warn that the crowds could cause a surge in cases. While many political leaders affirmed the right of protesters to express themselves, they urged the demonstrators to wear face masks and maintain social distancing, both to protect themselves and to prevent further community spread of the virus. Some infectious disease experts were reassured by the fact that the protests were held outdoors, saying the open air settings could mitigate the risk of transmission.
Exercise researchers and physicians have some blunt advice for those of us aiming to return to regular exercise now: Start slowly and then rev up your workouts, also slowly. American adults tended to be about 12 percent less active after the stay-at-home mandates began in March than they were in January. But there are steps you can take to ease your way back into regular exercise safely. First, “start at no more than 50 percent of the exercise you were doing before Covid,” says Dr. Monica Rho, the chief of musculoskeletal medicine at the Shirley Ryan AbilityLab in Chicago. Thread in some preparatory squats, too, she advises. “When you haven’t been exercising, you lose muscle mass.” Expect some muscle twinges after these preliminary, post-lockdown sessions, especially a day or two later. But sudden or increasing pain during exercise is a clarion call to stop and return home.Exercise researchers and physicians have some blunt advice for those of us aiming to return to regular exercise now: Start slowly and then rev up your workouts, also slowly. American adults tended to be about 12 percent less active after the stay-at-home mandates began in March than they were in January. But there are steps you can take to ease your way back into regular exercise safely. First, “start at no more than 50 percent of the exercise you were doing before Covid,” says Dr. Monica Rho, the chief of musculoskeletal medicine at the Shirley Ryan AbilityLab in Chicago. Thread in some preparatory squats, too, she advises. “When you haven’t been exercising, you lose muscle mass.” Expect some muscle twinges after these preliminary, post-lockdown sessions, especially a day or two later. But sudden or increasing pain during exercise is a clarion call to stop and return home.
States are reopening bit by bit. This means that more public spaces are available for use and more and more businesses are being allowed to open again. The federal government is largely leaving the decision up to states, and some state leaders are leaving the decision up to local authorities. Even if you aren’t being told to stay at home, it’s still a good idea to limit trips outside and your interaction with other people.States are reopening bit by bit. This means that more public spaces are available for use and more and more businesses are being allowed to open again. The federal government is largely leaving the decision up to states, and some state leaders are leaving the decision up to local authorities. Even if you aren’t being told to stay at home, it’s still a good idea to limit trips outside and your interaction with other people.
Touching contaminated objects and then infecting ourselves with the germs is not typically how the virus spreads. But it can happen. A number of studies of flu, rhinovirus, coronavirus and other microbes have shown that respiratory illnesses, including the new coronavirus, can spread by touching contaminated surfaces, particularly in places like day care centers, offices and hospitals. But a long chain of events has to happen for the disease to spread that way. The best way to protect yourself from coronavirus — whether it’s surface transmission or close human contact — is still social distancing, washing your hands, not touching your face and wearing masks.Touching contaminated objects and then infecting ourselves with the germs is not typically how the virus spreads. But it can happen. A number of studies of flu, rhinovirus, coronavirus and other microbes have shown that respiratory illnesses, including the new coronavirus, can spread by touching contaminated surfaces, particularly in places like day care centers, offices and hospitals. But a long chain of events has to happen for the disease to spread that way. The best way to protect yourself from coronavirus — whether it’s surface transmission or close human contact — is still social distancing, washing your hands, not touching your face and wearing masks.
Common symptoms include fever, a dry cough, fatigue and difficulty breathing or shortness of breath. Some of these symptoms overlap with those of the flu, making detection difficult, but runny noses and stuffy sinuses are less common. The C.D.C. has also added chills, muscle pain, sore throat, headache and a new loss of the sense of taste or smell as symptoms to look out for. Most people fall ill five to seven days after exposure, but symptoms may appear in as few as two days or as many as 14 days.Common symptoms include fever, a dry cough, fatigue and difficulty breathing or shortness of breath. Some of these symptoms overlap with those of the flu, making detection difficult, but runny noses and stuffy sinuses are less common. The C.D.C. has also added chills, muscle pain, sore throat, headache and a new loss of the sense of taste or smell as symptoms to look out for. Most people fall ill five to seven days after exposure, but symptoms may appear in as few as two days or as many as 14 days.
If air travel is unavoidable, there are some steps you can take to protect yourself. Most important: Wash your hands often, and stop touching your face. If possible, choose a window seat. A study from Emory University found that during flu season, the safest place to sit on a plane is by a window, as people sitting in window seats had less contact with potentially sick people. Disinfect hard surfaces. When you get to your seat and your hands are clean, use disinfecting wipes to clean the hard surfaces at your seat like the head and arm rest, the seatbelt buckle, the remote, screen, seat back pocket and the tray table. If the seat is hard and nonporous or leather or pleather, you can wipe that down, too. (Using wipes on upholstered seats could lead to a wet seat and spreading of germs rather than killing them.)If air travel is unavoidable, there are some steps you can take to protect yourself. Most important: Wash your hands often, and stop touching your face. If possible, choose a window seat. A study from Emory University found that during flu season, the safest place to sit on a plane is by a window, as people sitting in window seats had less contact with potentially sick people. Disinfect hard surfaces. When you get to your seat and your hands are clean, use disinfecting wipes to clean the hard surfaces at your seat like the head and arm rest, the seatbelt buckle, the remote, screen, seat back pocket and the tray table. If the seat is hard and nonporous or leather or pleather, you can wipe that down, too. (Using wipes on upholstered seats could lead to a wet seat and spreading of germs rather than killing them.)
More than 40 million people — the equivalent of 1 in 4 U.S. workers — have filed for unemployment benefits since the pandemic took hold. One in five who were working in February reported losing a job or being furloughed in March or the beginning of April, data from a Federal Reserve survey released on May 14 showed, and that pain was highly concentrated among low earners. Fully 39 percent of former workers living in a household earning $40,000 or less lost work, compared with 13 percent in those making more than $100,000, a Fed official said.More than 40 million people — the equivalent of 1 in 4 U.S. workers — have filed for unemployment benefits since the pandemic took hold. One in five who were working in February reported losing a job or being furloughed in March or the beginning of April, data from a Federal Reserve survey released on May 14 showed, and that pain was highly concentrated among low earners. Fully 39 percent of former workers living in a household earning $40,000 or less lost work, compared with 13 percent in those making more than $100,000, a Fed official said.
Yes, but make sure you keep six feet of distance between you and people who don’t live in your home. Even if you just hang out in a park, rather than go for a jog or a walk, getting some fresh air, and hopefully sunshine, is a good idea.
Taking one’s temperature to look for signs of fever is not as easy as it sounds, as “normal” temperature numbers can vary, but generally, keep an eye out for a temperature of 100.5 degrees Fahrenheit or higher. If you don’t have a thermometer (they can be pricey these days), there are other ways to figure out if you have a fever, or are at risk of Covid-19 complications.Taking one’s temperature to look for signs of fever is not as easy as it sounds, as “normal” temperature numbers can vary, but generally, keep an eye out for a temperature of 100.5 degrees Fahrenheit or higher. If you don’t have a thermometer (they can be pricey these days), there are other ways to figure out if you have a fever, or are at risk of Covid-19 complications.
The C.D.C. has recommended that all Americans wear cloth masks if they go out in public. This is a shift in federal guidance reflecting new concerns that the coronavirus is being spread by infected people who have no symptoms. Until now, the C.D.C., like the W.H.O., has advised that ordinary people don’t need to wear masks unless they are sick and coughing. Part of the reason was to preserve medical-grade masks for health care workers who desperately need them at a time when they are in continuously short supply. Masks don’t replace hand washing and social distancing.The C.D.C. has recommended that all Americans wear cloth masks if they go out in public. This is a shift in federal guidance reflecting new concerns that the coronavirus is being spread by infected people who have no symptoms. Until now, the C.D.C., like the W.H.O., has advised that ordinary people don’t need to wear masks unless they are sick and coughing. Part of the reason was to preserve medical-grade masks for health care workers who desperately need them at a time when they are in continuously short supply. Masks don’t replace hand washing and social distancing.
If you’ve been exposed to the coronavirus or think you have, and have a fever or symptoms like a cough or difficulty breathing, call a doctor. They should give you advice on whether you should be tested, how to get tested, and how to seek medical treatment without potentially infecting or exposing others.If you’ve been exposed to the coronavirus or think you have, and have a fever or symptoms like a cough or difficulty breathing, call a doctor. They should give you advice on whether you should be tested, how to get tested, and how to seek medical treatment without potentially infecting or exposing others.
If you’re sick and you think you’ve been exposed to the new coronavirus, the C.D.C. recommends that you call your healthcare provider and explain your symptoms and fears. They will decide if you need to be tested. Keep in mind that there’s a chance — because of a lack of testing kits or because you’re asymptomatic, for instance — you won’t be able to get tested.If you’re sick and you think you’ve been exposed to the new coronavirus, the C.D.C. recommends that you call your healthcare provider and explain your symptoms and fears. They will decide if you need to be tested. Keep in mind that there’s a chance — because of a lack of testing kits or because you’re asymptomatic, for instance — you won’t be able to get tested.
Charity Navigator, which evaluates charities using a numbers-based system, has a running list of nonprofits working in communities affected by the outbreak. You can give blood through the American Red Cross, and World Central Kitchen has stepped in to distribute meals in major cities.
“I miss performing so much, there’s nothing like it,” Mr. Thompson said. “Now, I am just in my apartment most of the time.”“I miss performing so much, there’s nothing like it,” Mr. Thompson said. “Now, I am just in my apartment most of the time.”
Lately, he has found himself playing the violin for his friends after they share dinner on video.Lately, he has found himself playing the violin for his friends after they share dinner on video.
“I ask and then play a song I have been working on that day,” he said. “I don’t think I would have ever done that, since I have other avenues.”“I ask and then play a song I have been working on that day,” he said. “I don’t think I would have ever done that, since I have other avenues.”
Last week, one of his neighbors organized a concert on Zoom, and he was able to play “The Courante,” a movement from a cello suite by Bach, on the viola, for a digital audience of 25.Last week, one of his neighbors organized a concert on Zoom, and he was able to play “The Courante,” a movement from a cello suite by Bach, on the viola, for a digital audience of 25.
“It wasn’t about quality,” he said. “It was just about performing. People clapped. It was kind of like a performance. I really enjoyed that.”“It wasn’t about quality,” he said. “It was just about performing. People clapped. It was kind of like a performance. I really enjoyed that.”
Many galleries, musical ensembles, dancers and D.J.s have moved their works and performances online. The members of the company at the 74-year-old Actors Community Theater in Jasper, Ind., now run their lines of their production of “Escanaba in Da Moonlight" on Zoom, according to Heath Kluemper, the president of the theater’s board of directors and an actor.Many galleries, musical ensembles, dancers and D.J.s have moved their works and performances online. The members of the company at the 74-year-old Actors Community Theater in Jasper, Ind., now run their lines of their production of “Escanaba in Da Moonlight" on Zoom, according to Heath Kluemper, the president of the theater’s board of directors and an actor.
“We have still been having virtual rehearsals,” Mr. Kluemper said. “It is enough to sate yourself, but at the same time, not having a community to engage with and interact with is a great challenge.”“We have still been having virtual rehearsals,” Mr. Kluemper said. “It is enough to sate yourself, but at the same time, not having a community to engage with and interact with is a great challenge.”
For others, the greatest loss has been the companionship of friends creating something together.For others, the greatest loss has been the companionship of friends creating something together.
Unsettled Scores, an amateur rock choir with 40 members in New York, canceled seven rehearsals and its end of the season show because of the shutdown. The choir began to meet on Zoom and hold musical movie nights, watching and singing along with “The Rocky Horror Picture Show,” “Moana” and “Moulin Rouge!”Unsettled Scores, an amateur rock choir with 40 members in New York, canceled seven rehearsals and its end of the season show because of the shutdown. The choir began to meet on Zoom and hold musical movie nights, watching and singing along with “The Rocky Horror Picture Show,” “Moana” and “Moulin Rouge!”
“We really miss singing together,” said Teresa Candori, 53, a member of the choir. “We look forward to it. It is our stress relief.”“We really miss singing together,” said Teresa Candori, 53, a member of the choir. “We look forward to it. It is our stress relief.”
It took a month of Zoom rehearsals, recordings and production for Unsettled Scores to put together a tribute video for Adam Schlesinger, the Fountains of Wayne singer-songwriter. He died because of complications of the coronavirus while the choir was putting together the video. It was a version of “Stacy’s Mom,” the choir’s favorite song.It took a month of Zoom rehearsals, recordings and production for Unsettled Scores to put together a tribute video for Adam Schlesinger, the Fountains of Wayne singer-songwriter. He died because of complications of the coronavirus while the choir was putting together the video. It was a version of “Stacy’s Mom,” the choir’s favorite song.
“It gave me something to focus on that didn’t involve all the desperation,” Ms. Candori said, suddenly tearing up during an interview. “I am grateful to be able to have that.”“It gave me something to focus on that didn’t involve all the desperation,” Ms. Candori said, suddenly tearing up during an interview. “I am grateful to be able to have that.”
In the video, the choir harmonized, clapped and bopped in unison even though they were apart.In the video, the choir harmonized, clapped and bopped in unison even though they were apart.
“We had to do something,” Ms. Candori said, her voice cracking.“We had to do something,” Ms. Candori said, her voice cracking.