It's hard to know what to do with yourself in these uncertain times.
Like always, some see this time period as an opportunity, others as a deterrent. The important thing to remind yourself is that, provided you're staying at home and social distancing, there's no right or wrong way to get through this unprecedented time.
'Productivity' is not something you should measure yourself by at this this very moment, your health is paramount.
For the creative community in Ireland, this pandemic through livelihoods and businesses for a loop. However, it has given way to showcase the supreme adaptability of Irish people, both those that were involved in creative pursuits before the pandemic and otherwise.
The TikTok Explosion
TikTok is huge, it just seems as though we've been slow on the uptake. But not anymore!
@balls.ieHere's the solution to all this "be productive in your free time" crap#l#ockdown #y#oga♬ original sound - balls.ie
The kids have been all over this app for months, but now it's becoming a social media juggernaut. With the amount of hashtag challenges going around on Instagram and Twitter, they have nothing on the dance challenges and memes that make up TikTok's archive.
Plus, it's also the place where new music blows up first. If you've ever wanted to be on the pulse of pop culture, there's no time like the present.
The Abundance of Instagram Lives
You may have noticed this already, with notifications flying off your phone every five minutes, but Instagram Live is becoming more prevalent as the days go on.
Although most celebrities are utilising the feature to chat banal shite into their front-facing camera, others are utilising the feature to create.
One such person is RTE 2fm DJ Tara Stewart. She's utilising Instagram Live to create makeup looks for each day of the week, allowing someone else to go live with her to join in on the chats and look itself.
It not only showcases what can be done with the feature, but allows for another form of informal interview.
The Home Concert
Musicians in Ireland don't make a lot of money. Well, most of them anyway.
Their bread and butter lies in their live performances, which have obviously been postponed or cancelled due to the coronavirus. Rather than mope, certain acts, like The Mary Wallopers, have used it as an opportunity to showcase their talents in a different way.
Furthermore, big players in the Irish music scene have also provided home concerts, with some donating the proceeds to charity.
Here's Dermot Kennedy's live concert on Facebook, having done one for Alone on his Instagram beforehand.
#CovideoParty
#CovideoParty is the brainchild of Alison Spittle, who amongst other things has also dished out 'Mass' live on her Instagram on Sunday morning.
The objective of #CovideoParty is to watch a film on Netflix in unison with people on social media. Think of it as though people actually care what you have to say when you're watching a film.
Our #CovideoParty Sunday film is lady bird.
Remember stay indoors, especially in moving cars.
The costume theme is lady birds.
Get your snacks ready and join us.
Thanks to @DuaneDoogan for the design work. pic.twitter.com/UdM23Spt92— Alison Spittle (@AlisonSpittle) March 29, 2020
The premise is brilliant, and proves that people can still remain together whilst staying apart.
Have they done Fatal Deviation yet?
Some Good, Old-Fashioned Tunes
You can't overstate what a few tunes can do for the mindstate. With home concerts increasingly popularity, new music is flying out at the moment too.
Dublin-based acoustic act The Scratch brought forward their debut album by three months in order to give people something to cheer about. The product itself is unbelievable, with the country collectively pulling its jocks up.
There are also a few songs that have been released that cite the pandemic and what can be done in lieu of being in close quarters with your boo.
This one goes out to all the Quarantine Lovers out there 📱💖 pic.twitter.com/cw6TKt297A
— LOCAL BOY (Jake Hurley) (@localboy3000) March 26, 2020
What all of these separate entities show is that we can continue to push the envelope in spite of our circumstances. Things are still brought forth to the masses, entertainment is still there, but it's key to note that your health is of utmost importance at this moment, productivity is secondary.
