When the Artist Gets Sick
- JP de la Rama
- 8 minutes ago
- 2 min read
Finding Stillness in the Struggle
“Stillness is not the absence of creativity—it’s where creativity learns to breathe again.”
Setting the Stage
This week, I’m writing this from under a blanket, half-buried in tissue paper, holding on to a mug of lukewarm ginger tea like it’s sacred fuel.
Yes—flu season finally got me.
As I isolate myself inside the house to avoid infecting my family—especially my five-year-old—I still find myself opening the iPad, sketching drafts, and pushing through deadlines.
It’s that stubborn artist instinct that whispers: “You can’t stop now.”
But in the quiet of quarantine, when my body demands rest but my mind keeps running, I’m reminded of something I’ve forgotten in the rush of projects and client work: that stillness is also a form of creation.
Delving Into the Problem
When you’re an artist, especially in freelance or creative entrepreneurship, it’s easy to fall into the trap of constant output.
You feel guilty when you’re not producing.
Sick days become bargaining chips—you tell yourself, “I’ll rest after I finish this last one.”
The irony? Creativity thrives in contrast. You can’t pour from an empty well, yet so many of us try to.
Being sick forced me to slow down. At first, I hated it. The silence made me restless.
But then I realized: this pause—this interruption—was showing me the imbalance I’d been ignoring. I’d been treating my art like a sprint, not a marathon.
As artists, we’re often told to “keep grinding.” However, the truth is that inspiration needs oxygen.
And sometimes, the only way to find it is by stepping back.
Resolution to the Problem
So, instead of fighting the downtime, I embraced it.
I began sketching softly—not for work, not for deadlines, but for comfort.
I revisited old ideas that I had shelved months ago.
It wasn’t productivity in the usual sense. But it was creative healing.
Here’s what this experience reminded me—and maybe it’ll help you too:
Stillness is not laziness. It’s a reset button your mind and body need to find rhythm again.
Create without pressure. Even a five-minute doodle can rekindle your creative spark.
Protect your health like your craft depends on it—because it does.
The work will always be there when you return.
But your energy, your spirit, and your love for what you do—that’s what truly sustains your art.
As I recover, I’m reminded that creative resilience isn’t just about pushing through—it’s also about knowing when to pause, breathe, and let life refuel the art within you.
Subscribe to our newsletter:
Product Links:
#thescribblemedia #indiebasedstudio #animation #comics #webtoon #webcomics #services #platform #illustrationservices #computer #freelance #comicsandmanga #filipino #bisaya #bisdak #clipstudiopaint #clipstudio #clip #studio #ipadpro #tutorial #beginner #tips #videotips #newsletter #inspiration #art #creativedad #struggleofacreativedad #artistdad #healingthroughart #creativeresilience
Comments