There is no way to put into words the madness going on in the world. Innocent people are dying and being killed, rights are being stripped, and the divide between neighbors grows everyday. There is so much negativity coming at us from every angle, it is hard not to feel helpless and hopeless. Lately when I step into the studio, I wonder what the point is and how to find joy in what I do.
Being scared and terrified with what's happening and being proud of your own accomplishments are not mutually exclusive. By continuing to pursue your own goals and dreams doesn't mean you don't care about others. This is something I've been dealing with a lot lately, as many of us are, and the following are a few things I've done to regain my footing.
Take a mental break. Being overwhelmed is not helpful. I find I need to find ways to break my focus and this helps strengthen both my personal focus and resolve to do better by all. I decided to take a short break this past week. I drove down to NYC and saw a few friends I have not seen in person since before the start of the pandemic. It was nice to see friendly faces and connect in a way that reminded me there is good and light out there to be appreciated.
Control what I can control. Thinking about what is out of my control doesn't help either. Complaining about rising costs won't make my money go any further. But I can set goals for myself. I can research and find charities doing grass-roots work where the problems are. And I can keep creating my art and put some beauty into the world.
Stay informed. With all the misinformation spreading like wildfire, it's hard to know what's real and what's not. Opinions are opinions...I try to steer clear of online rants, memes, and other junk that just fuel the chaos. Social media may be a good way to find out that something is happening in the world, but it's our responsibility to then dig deeper and search for the truth. Unfortunately, much easier to say than do. Ignorance is NOT always bliss.
So that is where I am right now...debating about mug interior colors and worrying about the health and safety of others. I could keep quiet and keep my head down about these feelings, but why? I'm sure I'm not the only one.