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Learning to Slow Down



Author: Cristy Sharma


We know what we are but not what we may be – William Shakespeare


When we were ordered to shelter in place five months ago, I thought it was a great opportunity to catch up on things I had put off. I began binge-watching shows on my list and started home projects. I scanned old photographs, organized my travel photos, posted on Instagram, then what?


I bought a macro lens and photographed whatever I could find in the backyard. I tried to learn photo editing but it got old looking at the computer after a while.


Because I am immunocompromised, I do not go out much and am careful when I do. I’ve been working from home since day 1. I am fortunate my job was not affected by COVID, and am very lucky that I love what I do and love the people I work with. However, we are new to this situation and it got difficult after 3 months. I needed to find something else to keep me occupied and balance my work and home situation.


Three months ago, I bought a painting kit. I already knew I would not finish this project. It’s not easy for me to sit still for long periods of time. I am Type A and a multi-tasker. I am also not creative. If you had told me 6 months ago that I would be picking up a paintbrush, I would laugh at you. Actually, when I started telling family and friends that I am taking up painting, they also started laughing at me. Never in this lifetime did I think that I’d be pursuing a creative side because I knew that I didn’t have one.


As I started painting, following directions, doing brush strokes, every day, I began to enjoy it more and more. It was therapeutic and gave me peace. I learned to be in the moment which was so new to me and felt pretty amazing. I finished the first painting, the second one, and am now working on the third with other projects on the side. I bought acrylic and oil paint, mixing colors and learned the color wheel. My mind is filled with creative ideas and I see bright colors everywhere.


I never thought I’d learn something new at this point in my life. I was given a chance to slow down, and it has been a gift to discover that I can be patient, I can focus and I am creative.

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