When the Ground Shakes
- JP de la Rama
- 5 days ago
- 3 min read
Learning Resilience Through Life, Art, and Parenthood
“The world may shake, but artists endure — not because we control chaos, but because we find beauty in rebuilding.”
Setting the Stage
Recently, our country has been struck by relentless earthquakes — nature’s reminder that nothing in this world is ever truly stable.
Countless lives have been lost, and many families have been displaced.
We were lucky. Our home still stands, far from the epicenter.
But even so, every tremor leaves behind an invisible aftershock in our hearts — a subtle reminder that everything can change in an instant.
That feeling of uncertainty isn’t too different from being an artist in today’s world.
The ground beneath our creative careers constantly shifts — whether it’s AI, unstable economies, or creative burnout, it’s easy to lose our footing.
But sometimes, lessons about resilience don’t come from tragedy — they come from the smallest moments at home.
Learning from a Child’s Perspective
Earlier this week, I woke up earlier than usual.
My daughter, as always, loves to be the one to wake me up and help me make the bed — her small ritual of bonding and pride.
That morning, I made the bed quietly and went down for breakfast, thinking I was being productive.
When she woke up and saw the bed already made, she cried.
At first, I didn’t understand why. But then it hit me — what she wanted wasn’t just to help me; she wanted to be part of something meaningful.
So, to ease her frustration, I went back upstairs, messed up the bed just a little, and pretended to sleep again.
She came running in, still crying, shouting shakily, “Daddy! Wake up!” We made the bed together — again.
It was such a simple, almost silly thing.
But it reminded me of something essential: sometimes, the best way to restore peace (in life or art) is not through control — it’s through understanding and empathy.
The Art of Preparing Without Fear
We can’t control earthquakes.
We can’t control economic collapse.
We can’t control the way the world keeps changing beneath our feet.
But we can control how we respond.
That’s the same in art. When projects fall apart, when clients back out, when your creative direction crumbles — you don’t stay buried under the rubble.
You rebuild.
Here are a few things I’ve learned about creative resilience over the years:
Prepare for uncertainty.
Just like keeping an emergency kit, have creative “backups” — side projects, personal IPs, or alternative income sources that sustain you when client work dries up.
Stay flexible.
Like my daughter’s reaction, not everything will go as planned. Don’t force control; instead, adapt your creative energy to the situation.
Reconnect with meaning.
When the world feels unstable, return to your “why.” For me, that’s my family — the reason I get back up every time life knocks me down.
Because at the end of the day, whether the earth shakes or life throws curveballs, our purpose keeps us grounded.
And maybe, just maybe, that’s what true resilience looks like — the courage to rebuild with love, humor, and a little bit of creative mess.
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 #earthquakes #philippineearthquake2025 #mindanaoearthquake2025 #makebed #makingbed
Comments