Over the years, as I’ve gotten more serious about my writing, I’ve gotten used to spending more time alone. Since I mostly write solo, getting comfortable with that temporary isolation has been a necessity.

That said, I know that without interacting with other  humans I tend to get a little… crazy. Hanging out with friends and family, playing with my band and other musicians and singers, doing my workshops and classes are (or were) all a necessary balance to the time I spend by myself. It’s an elusive and probably indefinable balance. But when it’s close to right I feel better about my creative life, my interior life, and my social life.

Well… that’s all gone to hell!

I’m lucky in that I’ve been able to move most of my producing, workshops, and consulting/coaching to zoom or similar apps. This also connects me to people –  virtually, which ain’t the same, but certainly way better than nothing. And I’ve moved some of my basic recording equipment from my studio to my home, which also helps.

In the interest of the balance I spoke of before, for a long time I’ve avoided having a recording setup at home. I recorded at my studio; that’s what it was for. But I’ve wondered what it would be like to have an idea in the middle of the night and be able to record it professionally. Well, now I know. And I kind of like it.

I don’t want to stop writing and recording. I always feel that if I break the momentum I may have trouble starting up again.

Setting aside for the moment the need to stay safe and the tragedy of the unlucky ones who’ve had to deal with the virus first-hand… and those who, some of them my friends, have succumbed to it, I see this whole period as an experiment (in terror, to some extent). I know it will change our lives. I know it’ll change me.

My emotional swings can be wide these days. The current normal – the normality of isolation – is affecting me. Sometimes it gets to me. Sometimes I’m not at full strength; sometimes I am. Sometimes I’m energetic, sometimes lethargic.

That is the new, hopefully temporary, normal for me: Keeping on with my work and personal life – writing, teaching, recording, staying in touch with my children and my friends and colleagues… Trying to keep my head together, but also understanding that sometimes it won’t be.

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