As restrictions around lockdown begin to gradually ease, there is a lot of discussion around essential services. I wrote about this a couple of weeks ago, reflecting on Abram Maslow’s hierarchy of needs and the importance of meeting our physiological and safety needs first.
What is interesting about Maslow is his emphasis on creativity as being essential to allow us to fully express who we really are. Maslow’s humanist psychology would cite creativity as being part of the highest need of self actualisation. He identified creativity in part as being about ‘cheerfulness and openness to new experience.‘
How cheerful and open to new experiences have you been?
What a question! There has been much loss, tragedy and fear associated with the Covid-19 pandemic.
But in among all that, there has also been astonishing openness to new experiences – both to participate in and to create. There has been much in the press about the creative arts industry and how important choirs, live music, theatre and art exhibitions are for us to thrive. And many of them have thrown open their on-line doors to allow us access at home to theatre, exhibitions, performances that have brought joy and variety.
I believe fundamentally that we are creative people. Personally, I believe that we are made in the image of God who Himself is the ultimate Creator – just look around at the wonders of spring. But whatever your belief system, a creative outlet is important for us to thrive, whatever that looks like for you.
For many years I did not believe that I was creative. Organised and practical, yes. Creative? Certainly not. This was based on the fact that I cannot draw, and I connected being creative with artistic ability. This was a deeply flawed assumption that held me back for years – more on this here.
Recognising and celebrating our creativity is important.
Lockdown has provided opportunities to express creativity in many new ways, both large and small.
A fabulous proliferation of online choirs and musical productions have cropped up, bringing not only joy and pleasure to the participants and listeners, but a sense of belonging, structure and purpose to many who have been isolating alone.
There have been many creative responses to needs in communities, providing food, essential supplies, connection and companionship.
Art projects abound, our favourite being Grayson Perry’s Art Club, which will culminate in a exhibition of works.
I have been posting various creative and inspiring responses on Facebook for the past three months, both bigger things and more local small scale ideas and projects that are just as important.
As I reflect on this, two aspects of creativity occur.
Our own individual creativity.
What have you enjoyed doing these past three months? And what role does creativity have in your normal, not-lockdown-life of busyness? Perhaps there have been pursuits you have taken up that you want to continue, or creative ideas that you have reconnected with – from cooking and baking to gardening and DIY, drawing, crafting, creative ways to exercise.
How are you going to continue to make time for this as life gets busier? What do you stand to gain by doing so?
Secondly, creativity in how we work.
We have an opportunity to look at what we have been doing and how – in our places of work, our homes, our communities. And to reappraise the vision, effectiveness and efficiency of what we do, and look at ways to introduce more collaborative learning.
Maybe this is an opportunity to create new services that break out of the traditional mold, and aim to do things better for the benefit of all?
The secondary school that Nearest-and-Dearest attend have adopted the hashtag #newnormalequalsnewopportunities for their new Sixth years.
This encapsulates all of this creativity.
Yes there has been loss and massive change.
But how do we use the creativity that makes us humans to bring out the best in each other and in what we are here to do?