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Turning Constraints Into Creativity: How the Limits Imposed by COVID Can Inspire

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With all of the restrictions imposed by the COVID-19 pandemic, you may not be able to pursue your relationships, career or other values in the same way you did before. As a result, you may be stuck at home, feeling lost, adrift or overwhelmed. Maybe you suffered the loss of a loved one, your job or the lifestyle you knew a short time ago?

Regardless of your circumstance, this shift may have been a devastating blow that you still don’t know how to see your way through. If this is where you are, that is completely understandable and it’s important to grieve this loss.

 

But I’m here to tell you that you don’t have to wait until this is over to live your best life. In fact, if you’re willing to accept the limitations of the situation and find new, creative ways to pursue your most cherished values, you may even be able to accomplish things that weren’t possible before.

 

Paradoxically, constraints are not always as limiting as they may first appear to be.

In fact, there has been a centuries-old love affair between constraints and the artists and creative problem solvers who see them as a critical ingredient for innovation.

If you want to understand this better, pause for a moment and imagine what you would say if I asked you to tell me something about yourself… Now, what you would say if I asked you to list some foods you like to eat?

 

You might have noticed the paralysis you feel in the face of the infinite possibility of the first prompt. The second is similar, yet it’s so much easier to come up with answers when we limit the scope of appropriate responses.

 

Limitations sometimes bring clarity.

 

Classical composer, Igor Stravinsky said, “ … my freedom will be so much the greater and more meaningful the more narrowly I limit my field of action and the more I surround myself with obstacles. Whatever diminishes constraint, diminishes strength. The more constraints one imposes, the more one frees one’s self of the chains that shackle the spirit.”

Artist Phil Hansen quit art for three years after permanent nerve damage caused his hands to shake, making it impossible to do the pointillist drawings that had been his specialty. When he learned to “embrace the shake,” his art career flourished beyond anyone’s expectations. His attempts to accommodate his limitation resulted in an explosion of new inspirations that could not have been possible without them. (Watch his inspiring TED talk.)

Science has also shown this to be the case even in non-humans. In one study by Columbia Psychologist Patricia Stokes (1995), researchers gave thirsty rats a drink of water every time they successfully pressed a lever. However, one group of rats only got the water when they pressed the lever with their right paw, while the others were rewarded regardless of which paw they used. Compared to the rats with no constraints, those who were only allowed to use their right paw actually showed significantly more variability in the strategies they used, suggesting that these limitations forced the rats to be more creative in how they solved the problem of getting more water.

 

So, yes, in this strange new normal, there are new limitations in how we can work, connect and pursue a meaningful, value-driven life.

 

You don’t have to wait until this is over to start your life. Nor do you have to be an artist to turn this tragedy on its head and use it as a launch pad to channel your life’s purpose – because of these new limitations, not in spite of them.

 

Ask yourself: What do you want to stand for? What things make you feel the most alive and at home in your own skin?

 

Maybe it’s romantic love, or family, your career, serving others, your community, or something else entirely. What creative ways can you find to take concrete steps towards your values in this pandemic?

 

You may be amazed at where those questions can take you.

Paradoxically, constraints are not always as limiting as they may first appear to be.

Stronger Minds content is for informational purposes only, does not constitute medical advice, and is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. This content is not intended to establish a standard of care with a reader, you should always seek the advice of your mental health professional, physician or other qualified health provider with any questions or concerns you may have regarding a medical or mental health condition. If you think you may have a medical or mental health emergency, call your doctor, go to the nearest hospital emergency department, or call emergency services immediately. You should never disregard or delay seeking medical advice relating to treatment or standard of care because of information contained herein. Medical information changes constantly. Therefore the information herein should not be considered current, complete or exhaustive, nor should you rely on such information to recommend a course of treatment for you or any other individual. Reliance on any information provided herein is solely at your own risk.