While the world is getting to grips with a pandemic that has seen epic shifts in the way so many of us, work, live and communicate, a more creative, simpler, grateful way of life can offer us grounding and perspective.
Creative Coach, Voice Actor and TEDX Speaker, Esther Wane, believes that creativity and gratitude are ways that can help us to not only navigate the crisis, but thrive beyond it. As well as putting her ideas to work in her own life, Esther is offering a series of free online events and workshops that she hopes will help people to remain hopeful and positive during these turbulent, uncertain times.
Esther’s top tips for using creativity and gratitude are simple, but really can impact our day and mood:
Be grateful for the little things
The smell of fresh coffee, the sun on your back and a walk with your family may have seemed like nothing this time last year, but now they are something to savour and will boost your mood if you note their importance.
Be grateful for your network and connections
While many people are seeing family and friends for weeks on end, keeping in touch is important. As well as making phone calls, set up a video chat or group meditation, write a letter or send a poem in the post. These things will keep you together and knowing you are there for each other can create positive emotions and a sense of belonging.
Be grateful for the silver linings
More time to read, finding a new pleasure in watching old movies and being able to spend more time hanging out with your children can be seen as silver linings. If life had carried on the way it was before, you may never have got around to doing, or discovering, these things.
Esther recently told me, “I’ve certainly been rocked by the impact of the coronavirus, and feedback from my creative community is that they too are feeling a bit bewildered and anxious. The world is a different place at the moment, but if we step back and look at things in a more creative, less formulaic way, and start to see what we are grateful for, we can look at this situation with fresh eyes and build new stories for ourselves.”
She added, ‘I hope that by using positive psychology techniques and storytelling, people will discover new ways of developing resilience and they will benefit from looking for the good in what they do have, rather than grieving for what has been lost or left behind. Finding three good things each day, having a morning and evening routine and daily meditation can help you feel more grounded, secure and safe, and those feelings are very powerful at the moment.”
If you are interested in knowing more, as well as weekly afternoon tea online sessions, Esther is also offering free online workshops for actors, writers and all creatives looking for connection and purpose during the Covid19 crisis.
For more details go to www.estherwane.co.uk and for live events visit the Creative Cauldron on Facebook.