CREATIVIT Y IN ISOL ATION
Get ting Creativ e: Adding M ore Beaut y into the World Gave Me a Sense of Purpos e
written by Carina Lee | design by Emily Snisarenko
When quarantine first started, I dreaded being awake. I would crawl into bed at 7 p.m. because I no longer had the will to stay connected with the world. To say that it was hard to find things to do with my time would be an understatement. I realized that so much of my identity revolved around workaholic culture and that I had internalized a really unhealthy definition of ‘productivity.’ So, naturally, the first thought that occurred to me was that I should download Tik Tok. As I delved into the realm of 15 to 60 second long videos, I discovered that many users were posting videos of their own creative projects. Whether it be making polymer clay earrings, embroidering tote bags, bleach tie-dying an old sweater or making a sundress from a bed sheet, people all over the world were starting to invest their time and skills into perfecting a passion or talent. I scraped together some money and bought a sewing machine. Learning how to sew pushed me to think in a different way than I was used to. I study history and philosophy, so I primarily entertain abstract, existential ideas. Planning out the construction of a garment is a lot more practical and methodical. Figuring out how to make the seams look clean and hide the raw edges of the fabric requires a different kind of creativity than writing a paper typically does. And, as the cherry on top,
21 | The Buzz
being able to make my own clothes empowered me to swear off fast fashion, while saving me a ton of money. For the longest time, I had lost touch with the creative aspect of my personality and nearly forgotten how to express myself. Focusing on fashion design helped me to build my self-confidence too. I am able to see my craftsmanship become more refined, and I take note on what I can improve on in the future. After every project, I had something unique, wearable––a tangible thing that I can be proud of. I realized how important it is to be in tune with your emotions so you know what makes you happy; and especially, right now, we should all be trying to focus on the little things every day that bring us a bit of happiness. There are many ongoing issues with the world currently, but dwelling on your anxiety and stress isn’t productive for anyone. I’m not telling you to ignore your problems, but rather to try adopting healthy coping mechanisms. For me, I feel the most inspired and optimistic when designing and sewing my own clothes. It’s time to rethink the definition of productivity and realign yourself with what makes you happy. Make something that makes you happy. You have the power to create your own happiness.
