My husband, of late, has been fond of saying, “My wife has been trying to social distance from me for years.” It is true, I am a low-touch antisocial artist by nature. I truly live up to my nickname, “Ice Queen”. Hugging makes me uncomfortable even from people I love. I endure the joy of everyone who is a “people person” only because it’s part of my day job.
Don’t get me wrong, I like people, I actually love people, I am just not a touch and chat person necessarily. I am a homebody, and as a teacher, I have loved being at home every summer to make art and work on my music. In fact, that is 99% of the reason why I became a teacher! Oh yeah, I wanted to be an available mom too. Now don’t think for a minute that the term Starving Artist has been lost on me, I know the cost of my lifestyle. But just to review, social distancing is not hurting me at all, I am loving it!
On the downside, I have unwittingly passed my antisocial behaviors on to my eldest son, who hours after birth was doing desperate push-ups off my chest as if to say, “Stay back woman, I don’t know who you are.” Always we had one little arm between us, not a cuddler that one. In fact, my adult son is known in four states for his awkward hugging skills. Sorry son…all me. He can truly say, “my mother never hugged me as a child.” I was just keeping the peace boy.
So, back to art for a minute. If you in any way are finding yourself relating to my social awkwardness and homebody tendencies, you might be a dormant creative or even an artist by nature not yet living up to your true antisocial potential. To all intra-personals out there, I give you this call to arms, I extend a challenge. Pick up a pencil, brush, instrument, measuring cup or just start creating whatever you feel inspired to make. In this time of uncertainty, more than ever we need your creative voice to be shared. Use this time at home to create, draw, garden, bake or make music. Whatever is in your heart, just do it and then share it with the rest of us! RIGHT NOW THE WORLD NEEDS YOU…see ya online. #withme #stay home #flattenthecurve #art #music #paint #socialdistancing (Originally Posted May of 2020.)