Making Art When the World Feels Heavy
Considering the state of the world, it’s so easy to get swept up in the chaos, in the headlines, the uncertainty, the unrest, the things that are completely out of our control.
That doesn’t seem like a very good time for making art.
But in moments like this, where things feel too heavy, soul-crushing, and unfair, I want to remind you of something: Your art is needed more than ever.
You need your art more than ever, because when the world feels like a scary place, a creative practice can be a lifeline.
Below, you’ll find a video where I talk about making art in turbulent times and when the world feels heavy. You’ll also find these ideas expanded on and tailored for artivists in the text below.
Without further ado, let’s dive in!
It Helps You Process Emotions
One reason you need your art more than ever in turbulent times is that a creative practice can help you process emotions.
There’s a lot to feel right now:
Grief
Fear
Anger
Sadness
Anxiety
Exhaustion
And so much more.
But, when emotions don’t have an outlet, they fester and weigh us down.
One of the amazing things about creativity is that it can help us process what we’re feeling. Making art is a way of releasing energy. We’re allowing ourselves to feel, express, and to exist in the now, as we create.
It Connects Us to Each Other
A creative practice can also connect us with each other.
Isolation is common in difficult times. The pandemic, though an extreme situation that required isolation to protect ourselves and others, taught us that. We withdraw and shut down. But connection, as in, real, human connection, is essential.
Think about the artists, musicians, writers, and creators who have moved you in some way. The ones who made you feel seen, understood, and less alone.
That’s the power of creative expression. That’s the power of art. And in heavy times, art can be a bridge between people, between experiences, between worlds.
Your creative practice, no matter how personal, public, or impactful you want it and your art to be, has the potential to connect you to others. Whether that’s through sharing your work, engaging in creative communities, or simply knowing that someone, somewhere, might resonate with what you create. It’s a reminder that we’re not alone in this.
You Can Create Something as a Response to the Turbulence
A creative practice in turbulent times can also help you create something in response to all the chaos, and use whatever you’re feeling (perhaps something I mentioned above) as the fuel for your artivism.
Perhaps you want to stand up for your or a loved one’s community that’s currently under attack from people in power. Perhaps you want to bring awareness to a topic, movement, or reality you’re noticing people in power are still ignoring or denying the truth of. Perhaps you just want to communicate your truth in a world where free speech is increasingly under attack by powers who want to control the narrative.
Either way, and whatever you want to do with your creations, creating art in turbulent times is more important than ever.
It Can Be a Form of Resistance
Another way to express this is that a creative practice in turbulent times can be a form of resistance.
When the world feels overwhelming, it’s easy to feel powerless. It’s easy to feel like nothing you do will change anything.
But creativity is an act of defiance.
In times of oppression, crisis, and uncertainty, creating is a way of saying:
“I’m still here”
“My voice matters”
“I refuse to be silenced, ignored, or erased”
Some of the most impactful art, music, and literature has come from turbulent times. Part of that is because art tells stories that history books don’t, it captures emotions that politics can’t, it gives voice to those who might otherwise be unheard, etc.
Whether you create for yourself, for your family, for your community, or for the world, know that your creativity isn’t just a personal escape. It’s a force. A form of resilience. A form of resistance. A way to keep going when everything else is trying to break you down.
Final Words
It’s true that the world right now is heavy. I won’t pretend that creativity is some kind of magic solution to fix it all, because it isn’t.
But I do know this: Making art is important.
It can help you find a moment of peace
It can help you process what you’re feeling
It can have a profound impact on your and other people’s lives
It can connect you to yourself and to others
And sometimes, it can be the very thing that keeps you going
So if you’ve been feeling lost, overwhelmed, blocked, or disconnected from your art and your creative practice due to the turbulent times we’re in, I hope this is a reminder that your creativity still matters. That you still matter.
Keep creating. Keep expressing yourself. Because the world needs your art.
Join the MDC email list to get news, peeks behind the scenes, and other things I only share in email right into your inbox.
