How to Keep Creating during a Global Pandemic

In these times of uncertainty, the one thing we can control is what we create and consume in the world. Even with the 24-hour breaking news headlines, our lives being put on pause, and the overall unknown that lies ahead, We are remaining positive as we continue to remind ourselves that “this too shall pass.”

This time for us has been spent for reflection, observing our surroundings, and setting boundaries.

Here is a list of tips, tools, and resources that have helped us navigate this weird unknown.

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Implement Meditation

• Insight Timer

  • My favorite meditations + talks:

    • Facing Fear with Compassion with Liz Gilbert

    • A Message of Hope with Sarah Blondin

    • Morning Awakening - You are Mighty by Bethany Auriel-Hagan

    • Meditations by Lou Redmond

• Other meditation apps:

  • Headspace

  • Calm

Just Write it Out

• Journal Your Feelings, a 30-day-challenge of prompts by Amber Rae

• Passion Planner journal prompts

Channel Your Inner-Child

• FREE coloring pages by BoxPalm

• FREE coloring pages from Reason Goods for Sourced Co.

• Coloring pages from YAYITZEL

• Contact Jenna for a @tattoosbyjenna coloring page

• Abstract Art supplies list + virtual painting lessons from Samantha Louise Designs

Learn a New Skill

• MasterClass ($15/month billed annually, I ended up going halfsies with a friend when they had their BOGO deal during the holidays!)

  • Classes I’ve taken/currently taking:

    • Sara Blakely: such a great course on entrepreneurship

    • Bob Iger: very fun class and aside from learning about how he took Disney to the next level over the last decade, we learn a lot about strategy and business.

• Skillshare (Get 2 months for FREE when you sign up!)

  • Context is Key with Gary Vee

  • YouTube Success with Sorelle Amore

  • Make Creativity Your Career with Andy J Pizza

  • Branding for Entrepreneurs with Cyndi Ramirez-Fulton

Read More Books

• Join a book club!

  • Let’s Get Lit, a book club

    • Past books recently read:

      • Trick Mirror by Jia Tolentino

      • Hood Feminism by Mikki Kendall

    • Currently reading:

      • Her Body and Other Parties by Carmen Maria Machado

• Our favorite Poetry

  • All Along You Were Blooming by Morgan Harper Nichols

  • The Sun and Her Flowers by Rupi Kaur

  • Love & Misadventure by Lang Leav

• Our Current Faves

  • Digital Minimalism by Cal Newport (I share a lot about this book and what it’s taught me in my podcast episode, Setting Yourself Up for Success by Creating Healthy Habits (Part 2)

  • Belong by Radha Agrawal

  • Stillness is the Key by Ryan Holiday

  • The Latte Factor by David Bach

  • Dear Girls by Ali Wong

  • The Upside of Being Down by Jen Gotch

Pay it Forward

Send some love and snail mail to your friends, purchase a gift card to your favorite small businesses, and find ways to give back to your community!

• Purchase gift cards to your favorite local restaurants and coffee shops to use at a later time

• Shop at local farmer’s markets if they’re open or shop at your neighborhood-owned grocery store

• If you are a business, find a business model that fits for you to give back:

  • 1 for 1: for every product sold, give one to those in need

  • Donate a percentage of sales: for every purchase, donate a certain percentage to your favorite non-profit or those who are affected by COVID

  • Offer scholarships: if you are service based, offer an opportunity to teach those who don’t have access to your skills and services

  • Payment plan options: offer payment plans for your products or services to make it easier for your client or customer to feel confident when moving forward in supporting you