This Meditation Cat comic strip skit was initially written by my comedian friend Danny T. Yang. From his experience performing comedy improv, he had an idea of how to write the first draft, and I filled in some of the dialogue to build tension and then illustrated the final version.
We hope you like it!
-If you want to see how it all began, read the first Meditation Cat comic HERE.
-Another popular one is all about When Shouldn’t You Meditate HERE.
How do you see yourself? Maybe you don’t think about it all that much. As a cartoonist, drawing a version of “me” for all of you often makes me think about how I come across to the world.
I often feel it doesn’t align with what others see.
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Inspired by a short story of his life in the book Folk Tales of Japan by Kyota Ko.
If you’re interested in learning more about my books and comic strip collections, check out my Amazon author page HERE.
You can get more comics like this as soon as they post by subscribing to my newsletter, A New Creative Life, by CLICKING RIGHT HERE.
Cartooning workshops I teach are a lot of fun and ordinarily predictable.
They work how you’d expect. You advertise to a particular age group of kids, that age group shows up at the school or library, and we draw comics together. Everyone learns something new and leaves getting what they signed up for.
It didn’t go exactly this way at the one I taught last week.
I met an interesting man who showed me that sometimes classes might be the opposite of what you're accustomed to, so always be ready for anything.
When I say the class was opposite, I'm talking about Bizarro world opposite.
This particular one was advertised for teenagers—which worried me because I’ve never done one for that age group, and I was afraid they wouldn’t show up—they’re not who I would think would be interested in group cartooning lessons.
Cartooning classes are always packed when I hold them for elementary and middle school age. The younger kids love them! Teenage artists tend to hide away in their rooms or with their close friends.
I remember my mother signing me up for a comic book art class in high school, and I couldn’t wait to go. Classes about making comics were impossible to find back then, so I was definitely going. Of course, I was the only teenager there; all the others were elementary school students, but I had a blast.
Unfortunately, my suspicions about how many teens would show up for my class this time were correct.
I was surprised because I can never get any students I usually teach art to at my school to attend these library events. The first person to walk in was one of my sixth graders, let’s call her Amy, who lives in the area and saw that her art teacher was holding a cartooning class at her local library and was excited to join.
Very cool, I thought. I don’t usually get students I know, so this might be fun and more relaxing than my regular workshops.
I’m always put in a classroom with a whiteboard to draw for the students, but this colossal presentation-style room didn’t have one. Luckily, the kind librarian who invited me found a large paper pad and an easel.
We were off and running!
The only problem, no one else was coming in, and it was time to start. Would we only have one student? A student I already teach?
“Let’s give another few minutes for people to arrive, and I’ll make an announcement on the intercom for the whole library.” said “Judy,” our librarian.
It worked. Gradually people started showing up.
A lovely family with a middle school-aged daughter and an elementary-aged son walked in with their dad, excited to sit down and draw.
Not teenagers, though.
A mom and her six-year-old son came skipping in, ready to draw.
Still no teenagers.
Right before I started the class, a woman stopped at the door with her one-year-old daughter looking in like she was eager to join.
Um, was this for her or her child?
Judy, the librarian, ushered them in and gave them paper and pencils. Maybe Mom likes to draw? Her toddler daughter sat quietly with a pencil in her fist, scribbling along with everything. I guess this is fine.
Not one high school teenager in sight.
I introduce myself and share my Fried Chicken and Sushi book collections and Youngbloods graphic novel. Just as we start getting into how to draw interesting cartoon faces, an older man, maybe in his late sixties, is standing at the door staring inside at us with wide eyes.
He was eager to join the drawing fun and immediately lit up, shouting, “Is this class open to the public?! Is this for anyone?! Can I join?!”
I reluctantly said yes. He wasn’t a teenager, after all. But that didn’t seem to matter today.
Librarian Judy didn’t tell him no; maybe she recognized him as a regular.
The man excitedly shouted, “I normally just come to the library to make copies! I didn’t know they had drawing classes.”
He strutted in, grabbed a paper and a pencil, and immediately sat beside my sixth-grade student, Amy. Plenty of other tables were open, so she was mortified he chose to sit right next to her.
“What’s your name?” He enthusiastically asked me.
“Khalid. Nice to meet you.” I responded.
“Cali? Did you say, Cali, like short for California?!”
“Actually, it’s Khalid. Khalid Birdsong.” I clarified.
My last name caught his attention, “Birdsong! Like a singing bird?! Tweet tweet!”
I forced a laugh and went on teaching.
I wish he quietly listened and followed along with my cartooning lesson, but dealing with his behavior felt similar to teaching six-year-olds. He continually shouted out responses to my drawings and tips throughout the class.
It was difficult to get mad because he was charming and flattering to my artwork, albeit loudly.
“Wow! You’re pretty good at drawing, Birdsong!” he shouted a couple of times.
“Hey, you’re cheating and making this look easy!!”
You know those times when you realize you’ll have to practice patience, and the phrase "grin and bear it" is all you can do? I was deep in the bearing it stage.
When I taught them how to draw characters, he continued to talk and shout his amazement at my drawing skills. Flattering, yes, annoying, most definitely.
The librarian tried to shut him up. Politely.
It didn’t work.
I smelled no liquor, but he still could have been a little drunk. Maybe he was genuinely ecstatic to draw again in a real class environment. We’ll never know.
By the end of the hour, he was eager to come up and look at my books and original art. I appreciated his interest and kind words, but it made giving time to the other students difficult.
He gave me his drawing, and it was pretty good. Perhaps he enjoyed drawing at one point in his life and gave it up or lost interest at some point.
The mystery man’s actual drawing from class that day.
I know I’m tall, but I didn’t think I looked as big as he made me in the drawing. I look super huge!
He didn’t put his name on it, so I told him an artist has to sign their work before giving it to someone. It looks like his goal was to stay anonymous because he only signed it as Doodlers 7575. Maybe he somehow knew he’d make an impression on me, and I’d share this story.
When he was ready to leave, he walked towards the door and shouted an enthusiastic farewell.
"Hey, Birdsong. Keep TWEETING!"
I smiled and gave him a nod. My cartooning workshop for teenagers without any teenagers turned out alright.
Definitely, one to remember.
Even though I was having fun sharing about this unique class experience, I wanted to make sure to thank all the librarians and schools who’ve invited me to teach cartooning to their students and communities.
It’s one of my favorite things I get to do, and I’m blessed to have people who believe in my work and the power of visual storytelling.
This article originally ran in my Substack email newsletter, A New Creative Life.
You can join us by CLICKING HERE.
A cute comic about discovering deeper meditation.
Creating this story was a fun way to see if I could illustrate a cute character and also turn an article I wrote into a comic. I'm not sure if Rongo, which is a word from New Zealand's indigenous Maori people that means peace, will become a recurring character, but I enjoy drawing him.
It was so enjoyable I’m putting it out there as a practice for you too.
It could be several panels or something short, like a one-panel cartoon similar to the ones you see in The New Yorker. Even if you’re drawing stick figures, see if you can bring your writing to life or something you just went through yesterday with visual storytelling in a sketchbook or journal.
If you’re interested in meditation, here’s the article I wrote in the publication Publishous on MEDIUM.
Photo by Ashley Batz on Unsplash
Getting up in the morning feeling nervous or upset about everything waiting for you in the day ahead can feel overwhelming.
I’ve been meditating for over twenty-five years and have always looked for simple ways to think about the practice. So many people tell me they can’t figure out how to do it or get to a place where they notice the benefits of being mindful.
I watched a powerful video by Dr. K on YouTube, or Alok Kanojia, a psychiatrist and co-founder of the mental health coaching company Healthy Gamer that stuck with me.
In the middle of “Why Finding Purpose is SO HARD today,” he explains about the concept of reaching the “end of thought.” I had never heard this concept before, but when he shared about it, I could finally put into words how to succeed in explaining the benefits of meditation.
Let’s go through the steps he talked about to reach this enlightened place.
You can meditate traditionally with your legs crossed, sit in a chair, or even lie on a bed. Start breathing in slowly and deeply, paying attention to the different parts of your body one at a time.
It doesn’t have to be only while you’re sitting and not moving.
If you want to be mindful while taking a walk or even drawing, it’s possible if you intend to make the time to connect with the real you and avoid distractions.
“Get away from external stimuli so you can hear your inner voice.”
-Dr. K
There are several phases of awareness that will move you through to reaching yourself.
Most of your thoughts will first be related to something that’s irritating you or about what you want right now that’s outside of yourself.
Something you’re told should matter.
Mainly stuff you want to do today or think you need to possess, eat, play, or earn to make your life happy—aka desires!
After all of your desires filter through, you’ll feel like you’re left with nothing but sitting there.
Bored.
Many people who try meditation give up on this part. They think, “I can’t meditate. It’s too damn boring!” Or, they think they’re doing it wrong and should be receiving some sort of divine guidance or inner glow after a few minutes of sitting and breathing.
Remember, boredom is your brain trying to get a hit of dopamine or excitement so that it can have fun again. Don’t let it stop you. Let boredom sit there and be bored.
Stay with yourself and give the emptiness time to just be. Don't get up.
You’ll notice your thoughts moving quickly at first and then start slowing down.
If you’re still sitting with yourself, you’ll reach a place where all the other thoughts cease, and as you keep breathing, you’ll meet your true self.
When this happens to me, I notice a feeling of calm, and I even say hello to the real me. The me that’s not manipulated by what the outside world says I should want or do.
It’s lovely.
How long it takes to reach the end of thought depends on how much is going on in your life and how often you meditate.
I find it takes me around ten minutes to get there.
Not as long as you might think, huh? The nice thing is that you want to stay for a while once you get to that place within yourself. It’s comforting to sit with who you are and be at peace.
I look forward to it every morning.
If an emotion comes up, you can feel it intensely and let it dissipate when it’s done showing itself to you. Your shoulders relax, and you become more aware of your body as a whole.
With your quiet connection to yourself, you’ll start to hear only your internal goals speaking.
Anything that’s important to your overall fulfillment will come into your mind. The values that are important to who you are will be easier to notice and remember.
All the distractions are gone, so you can find out what it is you really need.
The hard part will be accepting what your true self is telling you.
One of the greatest benefits of meditation is the ability to tap into yourself and see what you need in order to be fulfilled.
Not what your parents want you to be. Not what society says you should be.
What do you truly want and need to be doing during your time on this planet? You might be surprised at what you hear.
Meditation helps you become aligned with your personal life goals. Once you know them, you can do the things you need to pursue and reach them.
Anytime you get distracted by external messages, remember to sit with yourself and tune in through mindfulness. You can always find yourself with a little quiet and patience with the present moment.
Dr. K talks about how people are always looking for the reason why human beings are here. What’s the meaning of life?!
“The purpose of life is not in life, it’s in you.”
-Dr. K
It’s all inside of you. Stop looking for someone to tell you what your purpose is and find it in yourself. Then, decide to take the real you exactly where you need to go.
Try meditating again today — maybe after reading this article — and sit for a long enough time to find where your thoughts end and your true self begins.
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A comic story you’ll hope isn’t true…
DISCLAIMER: This comic is not based on a true story, and I would never suggest you do something so extreme to save money.
I am, however, commenting on how ridiculous the housing market is in the bay area and the entire country. It wouldn’t surprise me if someone went to great lengths to save up for a down payment.
Have you heard any crazy home-buying stories?
Share them in the comments…
A comic about visiting a lost culture.
Illustrations by the author.
Let's make one thing crystal clear. I'm a Batman fan. Unlike most people, I actually read the comics and watch the movies and animated series. In fact, as a comic artist myself, I love drawing Batman.
The only problem? I'm kind of tired of him.
We've had way too many Batman movies, and in just the last ten years, we've had Ben Affleck and Christian Bale play the caped crusader in the films.
Moving aside from Affleck, I loved Bale as Batman in The Dark Knight, Christopher Nolan's second film in his series. Perhaps, you'll agree that it's one of the best Batman movies ever made. Pitting him against Heath Ledger's masterful take on the Joker is legendary.
As much as I love seeing Batman do his thing, I felt we should have had at least 3–5 years without new Batman films after Nolan's run. Give us a break, and build up anticipation for seeing him again.
The Justice League movies pulled Affleck out as a hefty Bruce Wayne, inspired by Frank Miller's Dark Knight, breaking bones and whispering raspy to give us a mediocre Bats performance.
Enough. I was done. Time for a Batman pause, don't you think Hollywood?
Nope. The money is just too good. They had to keep the train moving and announced a new film with Twilight actor Robert Pattinson as The Batman and directed by Matt Reeves—known for the Planet of The Apes films.
What?! Are you kidding me? Pattinson? That skinny, whiny dude? No way I'm watching that one. I guessed Hollywood figured people would spend money on a Batman movie no matter who's playing him.
With Pattinson playing Bruce Wayne, I lost interest. It felt like anyone could play Batman nowadays. If just anyone can fit the role, why not get Channing Tatum or Finn Wolfhard—the kid from Stranger Things. As a Black man, I'd love to see Jaden Smith take on the caped crusader. Heck, let's go ahead and break the ground wide open, dig deeper.
Hint. Hollywood didn't.
So, when The Batman came out, I decided there was no way I would see it.
The trailer of him walking up to a gang with Joker painted faces and beating the crap out of them made him look like a psycho. And a bit silly. The scenes with Detective Gordon looked like they were trying too hard to look dark and gritty.
In my mind, I was okay with missing this one. Plus, the fact that it's three hours long! My issues with these saga-length movies recently were discussed thoroughly in a previous article about how they’re too damn long.
I avoided it the first month it was out. Then, my birthday came up, and I needed something fun to do for myself. As a husband and father, I rarely get out of the house for something only I want to do.
Looking up the reviews of The Batman, I discovered the critics were pretty happy with it overall. They said it was a bit too dark, with no jokes or light moments, but a pretty decent movie.
As a gift to myself, I decided to try the movie. If it sucked, I could write a review on Medium and make it an excuse to get my frustration out through the craft of writing. I am a Batman fan, after all.
I loved it. That’s right, I was hating on it before and was nervous it would be the worst three hours of my life, but surprisingly, I thoroughly enjoyed The Batman.
Yes, it was dark, sad, heavy, and they made Bruce Wayne look like a weirdo, but I like this take on him. If you think about it, a guy running around in a bat suit fighting crime is crazy.
For the first time, they addressed that he’s a billionaire orphan who thinks he has it the worst because his parents were killed. A tragedy to happen to anybody, but he can still live a privileged life. So many people have to go through worse, and it doesn’t drive them to become reclusive vigilantes.
Pitting him against The Riddler was interesting because it allowed us to see more of a detective Batman, still figuring out how the Gotham city underworld works. It’s only two years after Bruce started going out as Bats, so he keeps having to decide who he is and what to do at every turn.
The action scenes were pretty good, but I felt it looked a bit similar to The Dark Knight, but it is Batman, so there are certain things he has to do in the movies. I loved Zoe Kravitz as Catwoman, and her performance brought the whole film together for me, and the world wouldn’t have worked without her.
The cinematography was gorgeous, and it’s a movie I will buy and watch while drawing. I could put it on in the background, mute the sound, and enjoy watching the images as I write and create to keep my energy up.
I went to the restroom once during the film. But all in all, the three hours moved by quickly. They needed the time, and I’m glad they used it. When I was in high school, I dreamed of a dark Batman movie, and my young dream came true with The Batman.
You can’t judge a movie by its trailer. At least not always. I’m pretty good at detecting a stinker from watching the previews, but this surprised me. If you’re a Batman fan and on the fence whether or not to spend the time to see it, I say go.
You can wait until it’s streaming online somewhere, and it will be worth your time. I’m glad I saw it in the theater, though, and it was more dynamic to watch the action scenes on the big screen.
I’m willing to admit I was wrong. The Batman is a good take on a character done to death. The movie showed me how you can still make characters fresh and breathe new life into them.
I’m looking forward to the sequel and where they’ll take Pattinson next.
Want more? If you’re struggling with doing original work, click here to join my (free) email list, and through comics, articles about culture, and living your truth, you can upgrade your mindset and share your art with the world.
Writers keep saying Medium is dying. It's not like it used to be and will never return. If you can't make good money here, why stick around?
I've been on Medium off and on for five years now, and I wish I were more active here a few years ago. You know, when writers were bringing in the big bucks. About a year ago, I started posting regularly, and I've seen slight growth in my earnings but nothing over $100 yet.
My stats have plummeted, like a lot of writers here, and I can't seem to get the attention I had even six months ago.
I'm still staying on the platform and putting time into writing on Medium.
Here are a few reasons why.
Writing on Medium is the perfect place to sharpen your skills. Think about it. You can choose to share, teach, and tell stories about anything.
I love that I can bring up a topic I'm interested in and give my take on it. And for the most part, people will read.
Sure, it's tempting to get excited about possibly making thousands of dollars on the platform, but we should focus on what's important—improving as writers and having fun at the same time.
Another day, another change on Medium. Get used to it and keep writing. We can get as upset or excited as we want, but the fact is, the platform is growing and needs to adjust.
Sometimes it will work in our favor, and sometimes it won't. We can't change the fact that Medium is a business and will frequently make decisions that seem cold.
Your articles don't have to become cold, though. When you have fun writing, readers will notice. They'll also appreciate your honest, positive words as they try to navigate not only Medium but this crazy world in which we live.
Flow with the changes and continue to rise above with writing that's creative and authentically you, and watch your work last for years—no matter where you write.
Depending on Medium earnings to pay your bills is a tough road. If you can position yourself with multiple streams of income from other jobs or platforms, do it.
You can't predict if your articles will generate a ton of money each month or not. Looking at your stats every 30 minutes isn't going to make them go up. Consistently producing good work every week is the main road to improving and attracting attention.
Stats won't matter as much if you do not depend on Medium for money.
It's easier to deal with the lean times when you have many different areas where your pay comes from. Try using Convertkit to start an email list. I've had one for my comics for many years but just started adding articles and advice to my newsletters. It's fun, and new people are subscribing.
My goal is to build up loyal readers who feel they receive value from my work, and I can reach out to them when I have new books or courses ready to release. A.K.A., a built-in audience.
I bet my blog writing skills would snowball if I went after freelance clients. When I did this in the past, it was enjoyable to work on different projects and learn about companies to write for them. Enjoyable but with very little freedom.
The fact that I can choose a topic that interests me on Medium—not based on what a client decides—and put my spin and style on it is magnificent. I can even add illustrations I created, like in this article.
If I want to make more money, I can go back to freelancing.
Or take on a few assignments on Upwork or through LinkedIn for several months and then stop. All the while, I'm writing on Medium to get better at honing my voice and writing style.
Most of all, I'm having fun.
Write on Medium for the experience and pure joy of sharing what you love. When you start craving more money, start freelancing for a while to help keep your passion for Medium alive.
Decide what you're writing for and base your daily writing habit around that idea. Right now, I'm all about getting better and finding my voice. There are several topics I love writing about, but I'm looking forward to discovering more.
Article writing is helping me get to know myself and my writing voice. I'm grateful to Medium for giving me that opportunity. And, I get to make a little extra money too.
Not a bad deal at all if you ask me.
Want more? If you're struggling with creativity and putting your work out regularly, join my (free) email list, and through comics and articles, discover how to upgrade your mindset here.
I was tired of waiting. We planned to leave fifteen minutes ago, and I’m standing at the door with my shoes on, ready to go. My wife is looking for her mask and deciding which coat to put on. My ten-year-old daughter wants to wear shorts and a T-shirt in the cold and no mask—I have to keep sending her back to her room to change clothes. What can I do?
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Drawing Little Fried Chicken and Sushi comics on paper, during these crazy times, has been good for my soul. There’s so much magic in feeling the paper’s pull and having to be fully present with every line drawn in ink. Not to mention, I can take cool photos of my originals and share them with you.
Don’t worry. I’ll still make strips digitally as well. From here on out, I think the story will dictate whether or not I use Clip Studio Paint software or bristol board and Pigma Micron pens.
You can read my other comic, The Honeybuns, on WEBTOON. Join Baxter and his busy bunny tech-loving family as they learn to navigate family life and slow down a little.
Read MoreAs soon as you can.
Taking a break from the U.S. is not an option right now due to COVID-19, but I wish I could travel overseas. No country wants us to visit or move there during this pandemic, and I understand why. We look like crazy people.
The freedom we think we have gives us the confidence we feel we need to only care about ourselves — like it’s the natural way of things. Friends of mine in other countries are scared of Americans. The ridiculous mess we’ve made over here in regards to racism and the pandemic looks insane.
How we treat anyone who’s slightly different–yelling at an Asian person wearing a mask because you think they have COVID and then going out for FroYo without wearing a mask yourself because you feel it takes away your freedom.
I remember enjoying my break from America while living in Osaka, Japan, and teaching English. It’s certainly not an easy country to live in as a foreigner, but at least I didn’t fear for my life. You’d be amazed at how your country looks from the outside looking in. Yes, you miss some of what you love, but racism in America sticks out like a hamburger at a sushi restaurant. Be careful; you think it might taste good, but you know it’s wrong and shouldn’t be there.
I hear people saying things like leaving America shows weakness, and you should stay and make it work. Isn’t that like staying in an abusive relationship with someone because you think you can help them change? If you have a way out that can work for you and your family, take it.
Black people should do everything they can to experience living in another country, preferably one where people of color are in the majority. Move to Asia, Africa, or South America. Get a sense of what it’s like outside of white American ideals and perceptions.
Where will you travel when everything opens up again? Start planning, saving, researching now. I know it may seem impossible or out of reach, but it’s not. Take the first step by deciding you are a person who can travel and make a change.
Do it. Go on an adventure that changes your life and opens your mind. Then never look back.
Imagine watching nine massive steamships for the very first time in your life, something you never knew existed, approaching Edo bay near modern-day Tokyo in February of 1854. Commodore Matthew C. Perry landed his ships in Japan, uninvited mind you, in an effort to force diplomatic relations with the Shogun and open trade.
After over two hundred years of isolating itself from the rest of the world, Japan and the average Japanese citizen knew nothing of other countries or races. Witnessing white soldiers march off their metal ships and make the demand “Take me to your leader.” must have felt close to aliens from outer space landing on our planet.
The scare tactic worked. There was no way Japanese forces could have stood a chance against the might of the U.S. military at that time. On March 31, The Treaty of Kanagawa was signed between America and Japan. The country was open to the world. Even though it would take many years to establish international trade, Japanese people were thrust into accepting a new truth. They were not alone in the universe.
What limiting beliefs are you holding on to with little knowledge or experience to back them? The world is forcing us all to open our minds. Experiencing the pandemic and watching racial injustice and protests are making us realize we’re all human. Making us see that caring about the health and well being of people is what really matters.
The truths of our modern world have landed. Open your heart.
While going through a pandemic and Black Lives Matter protests worldwide like Hachiro in the above FC&S comic strip, we’re all waiting for the next big event that will turn the world upside down. Could it be an alien invasion? Or, perhaps, off-world beings deciding we’ve gone too far and then making themselves known to us somehow to calm us the heck down?
We should all be prepared for more fantastic events that bring us together as a human race.
Read MoreHere’s what you can do
I’m overwhelmed with emotions. In the middle of this pandemic, dealing with the killing of African-Americans like George Floyd and the protests surrounding it have me feeling exhausted. Hopeless.
Will the killing of my people ever end? It’s hard to admit that I don’t think so. Every year around this time, summer, we have black people getting killed and it’s gone on for years. Far before social media or even the local news covered any of this. I feel like the killing of black people is just a part of American life and always will be. I have to find ways to handle my anger.
Tanuki may be a raccoon but I think he’s onto something. Keeping your anger and frustration locked up inside could damage you more in the long run than letting it out now. Of course, I can’t endorse breaking plates — or breaking anything for that matter — but talking with friends and family about how you’re feeling right now is an excellent start.
Exercise is a beautiful way to lift the world off your shoulders. I highly recommend running or walking. If you can join protests and feel safe to do so, go out and walk with others to support your cause.
If protesting is not for you, donate to organizations online, make signs for friends who are going out to march, or even call and check up on your loved ones. They might need to vent or benefit from someone showing care for their situation.
It’s okay to be angry, afraid, and frustrated at this time. Find positive ways to release your stress and help others deal with theirs.
We’re all in this together
Imagine being a middle school student during this pandemic. You can’t spend time with your friends in person or develop much of a bond with your teachers at school. It would be tough to stay away from all the screens and devices sitting right next to you and focus on schoolwork.
I would suck at it. With ADHD and an overactive imagination, my mind would be in another world, drawing fantasy comics, or sucked into video games to escape reality. Getting work done would be the last thing on my mind.
I admire the young people today and how they are navigating quarantine life. Even if they’re not getting anything productive done. They’re getting up in the morning and giving it their best each day. That’s a victory. For some kids, your best is just talking to friends over Zoom or reading a favorite book for the eleventh time.
Doing the things that bring you comfort and joy is vital in times like these.
Parents are going to push and pull kids to do their work to stay ahead, but some might let it all go and give total freedom. Let’s relax and give each family a choice to deal with this COVID-19 pandemic however they can.
We need to deal with this situation in our own ways. When it’s time to open the gates once again, all of us will be catching up on our new reality.
A reality we cannot accurately predict at this moment. Relax and take it one day at a time.
That is the questions. Here’s the answer.
Illustration by Khalid Birdsong
Waking up at the crack of dawn to draw and write is no easy task, but I’ve grown accustomed to it. Today, on the other hand, I couldn’t help but feel the pull of the bed calling me back.
This is normal in regular times but much more powerful recently. Is it smarter to push through and get work done during these stressful times or give your body the extra rest it needs?
I chose to stay up and fumbled around, getting my coffee made. Doing marketing tasks like scheduling future social media posts, and writing possible gags for new comic strips — nothing all that heavy. When I start this way, it usually leads to turning my engine on and getting deeper into a creative drive. Where I’m eventually motivated to make more focused work like drawing or writing articles.
Perhaps you’re like me. Sandwiched between your desire to rest more and the awareness of all you could achieve during this forced-flexible time at home due to quarantine.
The two opposing questions floating around in my head always — Why not use this time to get more done? On the other hand — Why should I force myself to do anything during such a major pandemic?
The world needs your art during this time. Your perspective, voice, and experiences can help others. It’s incredibly important for you to find a way to put your work out there.
Here’s what I think is going on and what I discovered we can do to move forward towards our artistic goals.
Reading articles about famous people in the past, like Isaac Newton, who discovered the theory of relativity during a quarantine. Or, was that Einstein? Didn’t Shakespeare write a famous play while sheltering at home? I bet someone wrote a brilliant piece of classical music while forced to hide away from a plague. Something like that. I think all the motivational articles are getting jumbled up in my head.
The point is, they make you feel like this time of quarantine is not for letting it all go and slowing down, but for working harder. For creating something brand new and absolutely fantastic.
You start feeling concerned about yourself and, yes, guilty. Why can’t I make something earth-changing during this time? There are more opportunities to focus on smaller projects. Isn’t this what people will expect of a creative person?
There’s only one truth to accept.
Creatives get overwhelmed, frightened, and exhausted by world events, just like “normal” humans. We’re not above or beyond it only because we can escape to other places in our minds.
There are times when we make stuff with ease and times when we need to just sit and stare out into space to process it all. With nothing but a clean slate of negative thoughts in our heads and swirling mixed emotions in our hearts.
I want to have the freedom to work when my creative energy is turned on, but I’m afraid that if I get out of a routine, I’ll just stop and not make anything anymore. My momentum will hit a wall and seep into the gutter.
“Nothing can bring you peace but yourself.” ~Ralph Waldo Emerson
When I recognize this is what’s going on, I change how much I expect to get done. If you’re feeling this same guilt and overwhelm, schedule time to work but limit it. Instead of an hour, work for thirty-minutes.
There’s nothing wrong with cutting back.
Taking life a day at a time is something I need to improve on. I’ve seen more than ever how good days can be full of powerful, productive energy, and others are a slow drag to even begin.
This past weekend I was completely out of it. I felt like strings were attached to my limbs, and someone was pulling down on them, making it hard for me to move. Heavy body and mind issues plus plenty of chores to take care of around the house, forced me to make an important decision.
I needed to “do” less and let some things go. I’m just too tired.
Feeling exhausted right now is ok. It’s more than ok. You should expect it and give yourself some time off.
The only way to have productive days right now is to give yourself “processing time” to recharge on those tired, emotionally exhausting days.
The struggle to produce content just happened to me today. This morning, in fact. What you’re reading is a result of gradually working my way to writing this article.
If you know that starting off not wanting to work but doing small things to help you transform into a “focused flow state productive mind,” is possible, you can have more confidence in the process.
“Smile, breathe, and go slowly.” ~Thich Nhat Hanh
You should definitely create your writing, art, and music while in quarantine. Take a hybrid approach by dedicating yourself to both your mental health through regular periods of rest and your need to create with longer than typical stretches of scheduled work times. This way, you know you have the time to gradually get into the groove.
“Life is 10 percent what you experience and 90 percent how you respond to it.” ~Dorothy M. Neddermeyer
Even if it seems like you only completed a few tasks, celebrate them. I had to tell myself, “Good Job!” today for getting something done, even though I was totally not in the mood at first. We could always do more.
Make good friends with patience and invite understanding into the mix. I know you will keep the creative momentum going and succeed in artistically expressing yourself.
Even while trapped inside this box, we call quarantine.
Fried Chicken and Sushi is a Blog and humorous comic strip about living in Japan and Japanese pop-culture.
© copyright 2010 - Khalid Birdsong All Rights Reserved.
