Staying Sane by Creating
For most people during this unprecedented global pandemic, quarantine can be stressful to say the least. Self-isolation for a long period of time can be a breeding ground for mental health issues, most notably anxiety and depression. If you’ve looked at the news recently, you know firsthand that it’s not uncommon to experience sudden waves of anxiety or feelings of hopelessness. There are many ways to cope with these emotions, of course. Some people turn to exercise, meditation, or even virtual talk therapy to deal with the everyday stresses of living through a pandemic. There’s no correct answer here; it depends on what works for the individual. During my quarantine, I chose to dedicate myself to an art project to do every day in order to keep my anxiety in check.
Before quarantine even started I became interested in a movement called the #The100Day Project. It’s an annual global art project movement that occurs every spring. The rules are very simple:
Choose a project
Do it every day for 100 days
Share it on Instagram using the hashtag #The100DayProject
Even these rules are pretty loose. For example, I chose not to follow the last rule since I decided to eliminate social media as another form of stress management. However, some people might find the social aspect a key motivator to stay on track.
The 100 Day Project participation badge.
When you start a project like this, it’s beneficial to ask yourself the following key questions:
What is my project?
Why am I doing it?
What are my hopes and dreams for this project?
What are ways I can simplify my project in order to stay on track?
What do I need for this project?
How will I make time and space to do this every day?
How will I get back on track if I miss any days?
How can I ensure accountability and support during these 100 days?
How will I celebrate after completing 100 days?
My main motivation to participate in this project was to enjoy the benefits of art therapy during these times of uncertainty. Art therapy is founded on the belief that self-expression through artistic creation has therapeutic value for those who are healing or seeking deeper understanding of themselves and their personalities. It’s not about assigning artistic value to the work, but rather it provides an opportunity to express yourself in a non-verbal way. While #The100DayProject isn’t technically art therapy (you’ll need a licensed art therapist to guide this form of therapy), it’s no secret that the act of making a thing every day can have immense therapeutic benefits. Practicing simple creative acts on a regular basis can give you a psychological boost according to some studies. In fact, art therapy is already a heavily studied form of therapy that can provide many benefits in individuals in isolated communities, like prisoners and refugees. Creating things, especially in the face of uncertainty, fear, or other distressing and unsettling emotions, can help maintain a sense of agency and control over our lives.
For my project, I chose to complete a 5x7 watercolor every day for 100 days. As of this writing, I’ve made it to day #54. Here are the main three things that I found helpful in keeping up this goal:
Remove the pressure of making a perfect piece of art.
As I mentioned above, the main benefit of committing myself to this project is the therapy I get actually painting. The finished project is just an extra bonus and proof that I made time for myself every day. I decided to not worry about being good and prioritized the activity itself.
Carve out space and time.
When I started this journey I was quarantined in my tiny 2 bedroom apartment with my roommate in Astoria, Queens. Since then I made the decision to temporarily move back home with my parents in my hometown of Glen Ridge, New Jersey. In both locations I managed to establish a routine and set up a little painting area for myself. In my apartment I had to assemble and disassemble my painting area since there is only one small table in the apartment (my roommate and I tend to take turns eating at the table since it is only big enough for one person). Now that I’m back home, I created a lovely little painting area in my attic next to all the Christmas decorations. Either way, I made an effort to paint at roughly the same time of day in order to keep up consistency.
Make it social.
I told the people that I talk to regularly what I was doing despite the fact that I’m not active on social media. I found that my friends would check up on my progress and it provided an opportunity for more social connection. On Day #42, I decided to dedicate that day’s painting to my friend for his birthday. The subject matter is an inside joke about how gloriously tall his hair always is. I took one of his freshly released wedding photos and cropped it down to just his hair. It was a fun challenge (fun fact: painting hair is NOT as easy as I thought). I then decided to “give” it as a gift at his Zoom birthday party. I really enjoyed the act of using my therapy as a way to connect with people I care about in a time of global isolation.
Making it this far in the challenge has provided some other unforeseen benefits as well. By carving out time every day, it made it a lot easier to carve out time for other healthy habits. Since starting this project I’ve finally established a healthy routine I’ve been searching for even before this global crisis. I now do 20-30 mins of yoga during my lunch break, I go on long walks at sunset, and by default, I tend to spend less time watching TV. I have no regrets starting this journey and I urge others to try it out!
I mean really, what else are you going to do with all this free time?