2020 feels very different; but let's look forward
There’s not a blog post, announcement, or communique that can begin at the moment without reference to COVID-19 and what a startlingly weird, often scary time we are living in. I am not a writer and know my words will fall short in conveying the humbling gratitude and profound admiration I have for frontline healthcare and key workers. So to any who might read this blog I will simply say; Thank You.
It is not surprising therefore that mental health is being discussed much more and I, for one, am glad of some of the very good advice which I’ve stumbled across or had sent to me in recent weeks. There are some excellent resources available, a couple of which I personally have found useful are included at the bottom of this post.
I have long known that my mental health benefits from creative endeavours, the very choice of a career in Design was driven by my desire to be creative and happy in my work; and yet recently I have been finding the motivation to instigate some of my regular activities challenging. I believe I am not alone in this feeling, and know it’s as valid a response as those amongst us who have become super-productive (you should see the length of my parents’ to do list, riddled with checked off items around the house and garden!)
It seems that this year, perhaps more acutely than any other, I will find great benefit in the structure and community that the 100 Days Project Scotland offers.
Enthusiasm abounds and I have been heartened over the past few weeks as to how many people have been in touch to ask when the project will be starting. Many of you find yourself with more time on your hands, others understand the need for a project, or distraction perhaps. I am so very pleased that this project came to mind and I look forward to seeing your daily posts when the project begins.
Many online resources have been surfacing or widening their normal participation by offering free access over the past weeks; as an educator, and all round keen-bean, my pride in fellow creatives is bursting. We know the benefits of engaging in creative pursuits, the importance of flow, of being mindful and present, especially when going through a time like this; and the willingness to share this as widely as possible is brilliant.
My initial reaction to the lockdown was to start the 100 Days Project a month earlier than planned, and to get people going as soon as possible. When I stood back long enough to realise how many other wonderful resources were out there, and how much of myself I pour into the project each year, I needed to be kind to myself, stick to some of the developing plans, and do the project justice.
So with this in mind, the 100 Days Project Scotland 2020 will start a month today, on the 16th May 2020.
The Edinburgh exhibition in September 2019 was such a success with almost 60 participants displaying work and celebrating their engagement with the project. It set the bar high for this year and I have been working on plans to go bigger and better this year.
The ban on gatherings and subsequent lockdown has proven challenging for thinking about how best to celebrate everyone’s efforts, and I am currently investigating opportunities to celebrate and gather online. The format of this will be announced as soon as possible, should the lockdown and advice on gatherings extend into September.
Aware of the time and effort I invest in the project and exhibition, I am doing a call out this year for volunteers to help. A blog post will follow shortly with more details about roles and what might be involved, but there is already a form online if you want to express an interest, which you can find here.
I am signing off for now but I have a series of blogs planned, including one to keep you busy over the next month and contribute to the wider project – so watch this space, and keep creating!
Useful links and resources:
Mental Health Foundation https://www.mentalhealth.org.uk/coronavirus
Psychologies: The Positive Benefits of Creativity https://lifelabs.psychologies.co.uk/users/8838-nicola-vanlint/posts/4292-the-positive-benefits-of-creativity