As I write this blogpost, I’m listening to my good friend, Sarah; her son, Sam; and my daughter, Neala play “Leaving on a Jet Plane” on the Ukulele, guitar, and piano. There is a lovely irony to this song: no one will be going anywhere on a jet plane for some time. Together with our two older sons, the six of us have been in social isolation together for 16 days. Like many others adapting to this strange reality, we have been finding and sharing moments of joy through music, games, gardening, cooking, and other homebound creative pursuits.
And these moments have also kept us from driving each other crazy.
Sharing joy and inspiration with others, through whatever means necessary—Want to Zoom or FaceTime with me?—can be an antidote to the anxiety and uncertainty we’re experiencing.
No doubt, fulfilling that need for connection and community has generated a great deal of creativity. Several friends have organized or taken part in video-based, online synchronous dance gatherings. Others have returned to one of our oldest means for sharing across distances—hand-written letters.
Our shared experience in this current crisis can also raise awareness about the anxiety and uncertainty that many young people we work with face on a daily basis. Their uncertainty may stem from food insecurity, familial challenges, or feeling connected to peers or adults in their lives. Joyful experiences in the classroom can be a stress-reliever for teachers and students, alike. Creative engagement in learning can catalyze new opportunities for creating and sharing joy.