When the World is on Fire — Create! by Nicole Plumridge
Today we welcome a new guest writer to Writer’s Fun Zone, Nicole Plumridge who is stopping by to chat with us about “When the World is on Fire — Create!” Enjoy!
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The Essential Nature of Creativity
It is precisely when times are tough, when the entire world is bubbling over in upheaval, that we need to lean on our creative practices more than ever.
Many of us are conditioned early on, either overtly or covertly, that creativity and artistic expression are nice — but only as hobbies.
They are something to do if you finish all of your responsibilities and ‘important’ tasks first.
This is the messaging creatives face on a good day.
On a bad day — such as when the world is on fire — this perceived indulgence may not only be judged, but vilified.
Who are you to think that when there is chaos and disaster that you can sit down and put words on the page?
When the news is churning out horror after horror, how can you even think of flipping through the whispering pages of a much-loved poetry book, letting your mind wander through lyric and rhyme?
How Art Has Helped Us Survive
A strange collective amnesia takes hold — one where we forget our origins.
It was not just bricks and mortar that built civilizations.
It was not only sophisticated plumbing and agricultural practices which anchored communities.
It was art.
Symbols and images carved into caves, words surviving centuries on stone tablets creating legacy and culture — these traditions are what allow us to be in conversation with our ancestors today.
It is through these creations that we can see how they lived, processed the world, understood events and learned from their experiences.
The act of creation is not only a conversation which could be passed down through the ages, but also one we have with ourselves.
It is through creation that we connect with ourselves and cultivate an understanding of who we are as well as our place in the big wide world.
Storytelling, myths, legends, and fairy-tales are ancient practices creating meaning out of the mayhem which mere existence on this planet brings.
It is especially when times are tough, and the world is a confusing mosh pit of chaos, that we need to be able to lean into ways to make sense of it.
Creation as Regulation
The act of creation is regulation.
It is how we find calm amidst the storm.
It may be said that it is selfish to create when others are suffering.
It is an indulgence which cannot be afforded.
However, finding ways to manage your emotions and maintain calm is an act of integrity and self-awareness.
The more one is able to maintain a sense of equanimity, the more this effect will ripple out within that person’s social circle.
The more one creates and alchemizes the pain and confusion into works of art, meaning and beauty, the more others are given permission to do the same.
The more we focus on the bright, beautiful and brilliant, the more we can carve out little spaces in the world which reflect this.
It can be in creating a commonplace book or inspirational collage to put up in your study.
It could be painting a mural or reciting poetry at an open mic event.
These little acts of creation lend themselves to creative thinking, out-of-the-box problem solving and innovation — all necessary skills to have within the changing landscape of the world.
Art: A Quiet Rebellion
To create during times of uncertainty is an act of much needed rebellion.
It is focusing your time and attention on that which you can control.
Do what you can for social justice — sign petitions, donate to important causes, raise awareness — but also, create art!
Write a poem to process the world.
Switch off the news and switch on your laptop to review the final draft of your book.
Pick up the paintbrush and splash red paint all over the canvas.
This is how we help ourselves and help others in meaningful and tangible ways.
This is how we cope and build resilience.
While the world may tell you creating is an act of frivolity, we would not survive without it.
Humans need meaning, connection, and, dare I say it, a little magic to get through the days.
We need these little glimmers to hold on to when the world is dark around us.
Small acts of creation are the sparks which keep the soul alive.
Creating when the world is in upheaval is an act of love for both yourself and those around you.
It is time to remove the sting of stigma from the creative process and normalize prioritizing passion projects, elevate hobbies to the status of meaningful work, and begin a quiet revolution where the world recognizes how creativity nurtures, holds and heals the human soul.
Poetry from the trenches shows us that no matter who we are or where we are, the need to express our feelings, fears and desires is deeply rooted in the human psyche.
Creativity is alchemy.
It is a magic as old as time, a superpower which humans have always had at their fingertips.
It is time to embrace this and observe how we can add just a little bit of sparkle to our pocket of the world, offering a beacon to those who need it.
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About The Author
Nicole Plumridge is a three-time published author whose debut novel became an Amazon bestseller.
Her work has appeared in The Poetryhood and Half-Light Magazine.
She is also a creativity and book coach who supports creatives in building creative practices and reconnecting with their inner magic.
Connect with Nicole and book a discovery call if your creativity is calling you.
Website: https://nicoleplumridgecoaching.com
