Staying Sane with Coronavirus Creativity
Isabel Portner (11-3) and Milan Howell
These past nine months (yes that much time has passed by) have been no where near anything we have ever experienced before. In one second, life was normal; the next, humanity was catapulted into the deadly hands of the coronavirus. Until these past several months, the term “pandemic” was a title reserved for eerie science fiction novels. But today, the seemingly fictitious phrase has become a cold reality. To cope with the stressors and anxieties of the Pandemic, humanity has turned to the age-old pastime of crafting. It seems as if, amongst the chaos of our external lives, people have learned to find a sense of peace within. A teenage girl who never understood her grandmother's obsession with crocheting, now does it on a daily basis. A middle-aged man who previously always burnt his fried eggs, can now bake a decadent egg and spinach souffle from memory.
Turning to creativity in times of uncertainty is nothing new. The crochet needle (and more) have healed humanity’s mental health during numerous crises in the past. Throughout World War I, when their homes were under fire, French women would stitch military scenes that they would later sell for fundraising efforts (Smith). After the war, Australian, British, and New Zealand soldiers who suffered from “shell shock” or PTSD were commonly prescribed embroidery therapy. The activity helped injured soldiers pass their time, and even allowed some to “forget they had any disability” (Brayshaw). In Ireland, during the devastating Famine of 1845, a potato blight spread through the nation, causing mass starvation and disease. During this time, the Ursuline Sisters established a “Crochet Centers” in Ireland as fundraising efforts for struggling neighborhoods. The Crochet soon became a symbol of “life, hope, and pride” for the Iirish people and was later implemented into schools’ curriculums (Crawls). Today, in UK prisons associated with the social enterprise Fine Cell Work, inmates are taught to sew and embroider as a rehabilitation process. By teaching them discipline and giving them a new set of work skills, the ex-cons can re-enter society at the end of their sentence and hopefully make a living for themself (“Our Work”).
How can tapping into your creativity increase your mental health? Most creative endeavors, such as sewing for example, require intense concentration and transport the host into the flow. Otherwise known as “being in the zone,” flow is a mental state in which one is completely immersed in an activity. During this mindset, one’s sense of time will entirely melt away, leaving them in an energized state of focus. This phenomenon significantly reduces one’s anxiety, slows their heart rate, enhances performance, and floods the brain with the reward chemical dopamine - which increases motivation. Why exactly, does the flow state pose these astounding benefits on the body? The answer can be discovered within one’s brain waves. In a 2018 study, it was found that participants in the flow state had increased theta waves in their frontal areas and had moderate alpha activities in the central areas of their brain(Katahira, Kenji et al). Theta brain waves, which range from 3 to 8 Hz, will occur most often in sleep and during deep meditation. Similarly, alpha brain waves, which range from 8-12 Hz, have an increased presence during meditative states (“What are Brainwaves?”). Essentially, flow places an individual in a highly mindful state of “laser focus.” Imagine a monk in silence, sitting on the floor of a far away temple hidden within a rugged Mountain range. In addition to this inner calm, creative engagement has been proven to boost one’s self esteem and social skills. In a 2017 study conducted by Zarobe and Bungay, it was found that participating in arts activities can have a positive effect on self-confidence, relationship building, and sense of belonging within people aged 11 to 18 (Zarobe, Leyre, and Bungay).
With the period of quarantine approaching a year, many people from around the world have already delved into creative activities of their choice. In the passage below, we tell the stories of numerous creativity enthusiasts and how their endeavors have helped them cope with the stressors of the pandemic.
Photo courtesy of Kera McCarthy (11-3)
Instagram: @fluffy._.bakery
Kera’s Cakes and Confections
Kera McCarthy (11-3) has been baking sweets since she can remember. However, with the constant demands of school, clubs, rowing, and piano and violin lessons, it was difficult to dedicate her time to her creative endeavors. It wasn’t until these past months in quarantine when the current junior found herself with just enough free time to bake cakes for her friends and family. Throughout quarantine, Kera has continued her tradition of baking cakes and/or cupcakes for the birthdays of both acquaintances and close friends. Kera’s process of cake - gift - baking includes first asking her ‘clients’ of their ideal cake, favorite color, and animal. With this information, Kera will tailor a custom made cake for them to the very best of her culinary abilities. As of today, Kera has completed a total of sixteen decadent cakes (yes, let that sink in for a bit). She full heartedly believes that “everyone deserves to feel special and appreciated at least one day of the year… and making these cakes is a fun way I found I can make other people happy.” Throughout quarantine, Kera has also been able to “try out many new techniques” and claims to be “much more confident” in her baking abilities.” She has learned to make buttercream flowers and has delighted herself in the creation of new floral cake designs, her favorite of the bunch being a cherry blossom, daisy, and lemon assortment. For those who struggle with pent up emotions, Kera recommends taking out your frustrations on a chocolate mousse. “Believe me,” she breathes, “I know from experience. You have to whip those eggs for so long.” Kera grins and adds in a more serious note that “It's a really nice way to de-stress and sometimes take your mind off of things.”
Ellie’s Embroidery
Similar to Kera, the current sophomore, Ellie Zdancewic (10-4), has found herself with more time on her hands throughout the pandemic. However, rather than baking, she’s spent her free time focusing on improving her embroidery skills. This self-taught embroiderer enjoys the personal accomplishments that come along with creating her intricate artworks, semi-jokingly describing the process as “very freeing and therapeutic because...you get to stab stuff.” Despite her needle bayonetting, Ellie also finds it relaxing to work on her art little by little every night and to eventually have a “piece of art” that she made herself and “can be proud of.” The avid embroiderer has used the pandemic as a source of inspiration for some of her creations, where she expresses her views on current matters. One of such pieces plays off the common phrase ‘Home Is Where the Heart Is,” depicting the phrase “Home Is Where You Should Be” besides a heart wearing a mask. This embroidery advocates for self-quarantine and social distancing, as many people begin to overlook these orders. In “Home Is Where You Should Be,” Ellie has tried out a new technique called aplicar, involving stitching fabric on top of fabric rather than through it. Her charming creations can be found along her window sill, next to her thriving assortment of plants, and on her ever-expanding “master wall of embroidery.” Ellie’s love of embroidery has led her to the discovery of an international virtual embroidery club, where she can connect with many other embroiderers worldwide. Ellie joins the “weekly cult meetings” (don't worry they're not actually a cult) with around twenty other people over zoom, where they discuss their projects while embroidering individually. Ellie also holds her own club, called the “Tenn Fiber Arts Club,” and she would love for anyone interested in knitting, crocheting, or embroidery to join.
Photo courtesy of Eleanor Zdancewic (10-4)
Instagram: @elliembroidery
Photo courtesy of Aden Gonzales (12-2)
Aden’s Knifty Knitting
For many, quarantine provided a golden opportunity to acquire new, creative skills. The senior Aden Gonzales (12-2), for example, has picked up knitting. Before the “stay at home” order, Aden, much like any other busy highschool student, barely had time for “anything non-academic related.” In the beginning months of the pandemic, Aden confesses to indulging on the several t.v. shows she had missed throughout the year (which I’m sure we can all relate to). However, as the screen became a sore for her eyes, Aden decided to look into a new hobby - knitting. Existing to venture into a creative venture, Aden asked around for “any needles for knitting,” and took on the challenge of a scarf. Though her scarf may be on its way to a foot-long wide blarf (blanket + scarf), Aden has found a cozy haven within her needle and yarn. She finds the pastime to be a “mindless activity that is certainly relaxing,” and is grateful to stare at anything but the screen - as we all struggle to find a break from constant screen time. The determined knitter also enjoys socializing in isolation during her “facetime knitting sessions” where she and her friends will facetime while knitting together. “We’re like grandmas,” she laughs, “but it is actually a lot more fun than it sounds.” As of now, Aden has successfully mastered the standard stitch and she hopes to make hats in the near future. The possibilities of her knitting adventures are endless and, well, full of thread.
The Jack of All Trades
Throughout quarantine, many people have also delved into numerous mediums of art and have strengthened their skills across the artistic spectrum. One of these motivated “jack of all trades,” Annetta Yuwono (11-4), has found much of her artistic inspirations from the popular social media app Instagram. One day, in the beginning months of quarantine, Annetta came across a post hidden within her feed, displaying the following quote: “when you’re an artist, you start seventeen new projects and you don't finish any of them.” With extra time on her hands, Annetta decided to take on the quote’s alluded challenge. Soon enough, she had begun three separate drawing pieces, two of which she is still working on today. Annetta sees drawing as a “coping mechanism to deal with the boredom and stress throughout quarantine.” With all certainty, Annetta adds that “If I didn’t draw during that time, I would’ve been bored out of my mind.” Since the painful first few months of isolation, Annetta’s interests have expanded far beyond the realms of drawing. She has also experimented with new mediums, such as oil pastel and she has continued to work on her scrapbooking and calligraphy expertise. Annetta strived to give her scrapbooks a little more pizazz, finding “unique scraps of paper” and moving quotes to store within their pages. One of her favorites collages, featuring a fiery spread of oranges, reds, and two meticulously drawn eyes, displays the quote “the eyes are the window to the soul” - one that will definitely cause you to pause and ponder. In the future, Annetta hopes to continue experimenting with her artis ventures and add to her growing collection of crafty masterpieces.
Photo courtesy of Annetta Yuwono (11-4)
Photos courtesy of Francis Jurlando (9-4)
The Craftsman
Freshman Francis Jurlando (9-4) was quite the craftsman, even before the pandemic, and they had seen a definite increase in creativity, especially when quarantining first began. During these past couple of months, Francis has really been able to get around, doing a lot more sketching, baking, and sewing. They’ve even been making their own sketchbooks through book binding, working on a rug, and taken up water coloring. “Arts and crafts had always been a way of coping for me,” Francis states, recognizing the many beneficial factors that come with the occasional art project just for sheer personal enjoyment. It’s hard for them to tell whether or not they’ve been able to learn anything new since quarantine has been spanning on for so long now. However, Francis notes on learning something far more valuable than any skill or art technique: how to enjoy art again, noting on how much more enjoyable it is for them now than before quarantine. That’s the most important thing about a project, after all. It doesn’t matter nearly as much what you’re making or why if you can’t enjoy the process.
Creativity has its magical ways of mitigating the stress within our lives. At a time where stress seems to hang in every crevice of our environment, a window for healthy escape is much needed - and much appreciated. There is no need to be talented at art to start, as Ralph Waldo Emerson, a renown American essayist articulated, “every artist was first an amateur.” So, what are you waiting for? Pick up that neglected pack of markers, that crochet needle, that yellow pencil and craft away! The first tries will never be pretty, but with time masterpieces are bound to emerge.
Bibliography
Smith, Rosa Inocencio. “Getting Through a Pandemic With Old-Fashioned Crafts.” The Atlantic, Atlantic Media Company, 1 Apr. 2020, www.theatlantic.com/culture/archive/2020/04/crafts-coronavirus-quarantine-stress-relief/609187/.
Brayshaw, Emily. “How Embroidery Therapy Helped First World War Veterans Find a Common Thread | Emily Brayshaw.” The Guardian, Guardian News and Media, 25 Apr. 2017, www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2017/apr/25/how-embroidery-therapy-helped-first-world-war-veterans-find-a-common-thread.
“Our Work.” Fine Cell Work, finecellwork.co.uk/pages/our-work.
Katahira, Kenji et al. “EEG Correlates of the Flow State: A Combination of Increased Frontal Theta and Moderate Frontocentral Alpha Rhythm in the Mental Arithmetic Task.” Frontiers in psychology vol. 9 300. 9 Mar. 2018, doi:10.3389/fpsyg.2018.00300
“What Are Brainwaves?” What Are Brainwaves ? Types of Brain Waves | EEG Sensor and Brain Wave – UK, brainworksneurotherapy.com/what-are-brainwaves.
Zarobe, Leyre, and Hilary Bungay. “The role of arts activities in developing resilience and mental wellbeing in children and young people a rapid review of the literature.” Perspectives in public health vol. 137,6 (2017): 337-347. doi:10.1177/1757913917712283
Crawls, Alex. Irish Crochet Lace 150 Years of a Tradition. Edited by Alex Internet. (Lacis Museum of LACE and TEXTILES, Berkeley CA), Exhibition Catalogue.