The world has changed so quickly in the past weeks and months.
The changes hit my life two weeks ago–as they did for many in the United States–and within days, my life transformed from its usual hustle to a socially isolated standstill.
Within the artistic community, I immediately saw a rush of creativity, as many were determined to use this time to create new things and develop new skills. We all found new ways to connect, and some experienced the newfound space as a breath of fresh air.
But life isn’t that simple, is it? There was also grief, panic, anxiety, and lurking depression mixed into the lemonade. Sudden isolation and unstructured time is not generally a healthy mix.
Turns out, we aren’t machines that can just switch gears to keep producing non-stop. We are complex organic beings. We can push through a lot–which is crucial at times–but balancing forward motion with inner stillness and care is challenging, especially if you’re dealing with major life and job changes.
Thriving is more than focused productivity. Thriving is more than smiling or looking happy.
Rest is a part of thriving. Grief is a part of thriving. Processing emotions is a part of thriving.
Thriving is all the things we do to nurture and center ourselves. Thriving is the falling down and the tending to wounds. Thriving is the getting up and the striving for growth.
Thriving is resilience, not invulnerability.
Thriving has a thousand faces. You can be one of those faces, even if you’re down right now.
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