With millions of creatives stuck at home during lockdown, many have struggled keeping their creativity alive. In ‘Lockdown Stories’, I have asked creatives to share their stories.

Lee Wakefield

PR Specialist and Freelance Writer

Q: What do you work with?

I did work in festival and event PR but have been made redundant during the pandemic. As a result, I’m freelancing and starting up my own music PR company for smaller events, releases, innovative campaign strategy and consultancy.

Q: How did the lockdown affect you, on a professional level, as well as personally?

It involved me losing my job, as the festival industry, and the arts in general, is one of the worst hit sectors and hugely underfunded. Not ideal, but it opened me up to a lot of conversations with people I wouldn’t have usually met, as well as getting involved with some projects which I couldn’t have considered while employed. In that sense, it’s been a unique opportunity and very exciting. Personally, I had to move out of London and back in with my mum in Essex, which I’d rather not do but I’m grateful I had somewhere else to go. Some people aren’t so lucky.

While it was horrific in so many ways, the lockdown offered me a chance to properly disconnect from work and read books, write and watch series I always said I was too busy to enjoy.

Q: How did you stay creative throughout lockdown?

Because there was no IRL access to gigs, exhibition or people, I felt starved of culture, so I just consumed everything I could, whether it was books, magazines, series or films to try and keep my inspiration and enjoyment high. I wrote a couple of published features, but also wrote some meandering personal stuff to process the situation. It was cathartic and will probably be interesting to read back at some point.

Q: Do you think that the lockdown, or the current situation in general, has had an impact on your creativity?

The entire pandemic has impacted my creativity, but in what way changes week by week. Sometimes I feel completely lacking in inspiration but, for me, it’s about accepting that and not being too hard on myself. It’s a crazy situation we’ve never experienced before, we deal with it how ever feels right.

In more recent times, my creativity has been really strong. I’m rejuvenated. I’m hopeful that the pandemic will give us a chance to reset the music industry, and make it a level playing field for all involved, as well as offer greater opportunities to younger creatives. I feel a huge responsibility to contribute to that and I’m hopeful that my creativity will open up new possibilities for those that weren’t seen before.

It really does feel like a moment to reflect, learn from our mistakes and innovate how our creativity impacts everyone. It’s really made me focus on how my creativity can help others and inspire lasting positive change more so than ever, so that can only be a good thing.

You can read Lee’s feature on Canadian musician Jessy Lanza here.

Amber Lane

Creative Writer and English Tutor

Q: What do you work with?

I am a creative writer and English tutor.

Q: How did the lockdown affect you, on a professional level, as well as personally?

I decided that it would be much safer for me to teach at home rather than in school. I had to put the health of vulnerable family members first.

The lockdown affected me personally, in terms of enhancing my anxiety. I could not go out and see my friends, and I felt as though I was losing contact with others .

Q: How did you stay creative throughout lockdown?

By singing and writing poetry. I found time to create a poetry collection, which is now being viewed by a publishing company.

Q: Do you think that the lockdown, or the current situation in general, has had an impact on your creativity?

I think that the current situation has enhanced my creativity. Having more time to myself has made me evaluate what I want in life, and what I need to do to get there. It has urged me to become more proactive and showcase my creativity.

You can read Amber’s poetry here.