Our creativity is liberation
Emma Mendez // Culture Editor
April dela Noche Miline // Illustrator
When the world as we knew it seemed to come to an abrupt stop early in 2020, I remember feeling consumed by equal parts fear, relief, and strangely enough, joy. Not joy or relief that there was a deadly virus that was killing millions of people obviously. But a sense of relief and joy that for once I had time to allow my creative spirit to soar. Messed up I know, capitalism will do that to you. And although many of us struggled financially for the next year and a half (many still are), we birthed some pretty incredible things. From businesses, poetry, music, short films, novels, to rediscovering ourselves through knitting, photography, cooking, you name it, we probably did it.
But now that many countries are resuming (or attempting to) the fast paced life many of us lived before, what happens to the creativity we spent over a year nurturing? To the communities we formed? To the projects and passions that fulfilled us? Are we just going to shrug it off as pandemic madness or simply a pandemic induced hobby? I think it’s an important question we have to ask ourselves, and I know many are already contemplating this. Why do we have to push aside what fulfills us? What inspires us to connect to the long forgotten parts of ourselves?
As we are once again being forced into capitalism fully (although we never really escaped it), we have the choice to create a different life for ourselves. To dream something bigger, more aligned with who we are, and to fully accept our desire for joy. To not only survive, but to get to a place where we can actually thrive, emotionally, physically, and spiritually.
In the changing world and circumstances that we live in, we must realize that our creativity is more powerful than ever. We can not let it slip back into the shadows. Not only because neglecting it would be neglecting ourselves, but also because within lies the key to collective liberation and empowerment. The way we were living before individually and collectively was repressive and harmful. Not only to ourselves, but to the world around us. Before COVID-19, do you remember the last time you had a moment to yourself? The last time you maybe went for a walk, spent time with your loved one (even if it was virtually)? What about the last time you thought about something other than being productive?
In nurturing our creativity, many of us were able to see and accept that we truly were not happy, fulfilled, or following our passion. We can continue to work on reclaiming it, or take the easier route, to go back to live devoid of true passion. Only time will tell what we choose.