#lockdown days

Working From Home (2021)

Quarantine... day 27 :) 

Welcome to... #ryukoprompts!

This is just a little ideya to inspire creativity out there! Every month, from May 2021 until who-knows-when, I’ll share a new prompt to fulfill! This can be done as many times as you like, as LATE as you like, with no deadlines or obligations to do every single prompt. For this list, we are chill - because everyone deserves some chill time by this point!!

What counts as a creative response? Anything that you create, of course! Born of your own imagination and inspiration! This includes, and is not limited to:

- drawing (rough or finished, digital or physical) - writing (narratives, essays, or journals) - singing/music - photography - dancing - fashion - videos (including AMVs)

Whatever you feel - just CREATE! (And let’s aim for PG-13 content so that everyone can participate!)

What does NOT count as a creative response? Sharing anything you did not create! Your response has to carry an element of you and your creativity within it!

So how does that work for, say, music videos or moodboards? Link the original sources wherever possible, give credit where it’s due, and do NOT take the work of independent creators without explicit permission! (ie. fanart)

As this is the very first prompt, we will be feeling things out as we go along! Feedback and prompt suggestions are welcome!

*~*~*

So, let’s get started with the prompt for May 2021 - share something that has helped you deal with being in lockdown! Did you discover a new show, or revisit an old favourite webcomic or book? How about friends or family that helped you, no matter how far away they were? Any discoveries made while taking a walk through nature? Any plans that are helping to motivate you as we wait for the world to reopen? Things may have been rough, but there have been bright moments that made life just a little bit easier!

[Image - a black and white picture of Mr. Rogers with the quote,  "When I was a boy and I would see scary things in the news, my mother would say to me, 'Look for the helpers. You will always find people who are helping.' To this day, especially in times of 'disaster,' I remember my mother’s words and I am always comforted by realizing that there are still so many helpers—so many caring people in this world."]

Mr. Rogers’ anecdote has helped me get through some of the more wild moments of 2020. Despite every apocalyptic headline and trending topic, there are ALWAYS people helping - sharing verified information for the benefit of others, donating to good causes, lifting spirits with acts of kindness and good cheer, reminding us that we are still here and still human, and that even with the little things, we can make a big difference.

No matter what happens, someone is always helping.

In fact, YOU may have been a helper in the eyes of someone else! If not right now, at some point, you have! And you can absolutely keep helping!

Whether you’re voting in an election, sharing food with someone in need, sharing memes with friends, planning get-togethers in the future, marching for a just cause, or simply being a presence for a fellow overwhelmed companion, you are a helper. The world needs you!

And hey, if you are in a place where you can’t help right now, reach out - there are helpers who will reach for you!

Just a quick doodle to say - we finally got our first vaccine!!

That was a few days ago, and the worst of it was sore arms and fatigue. I also felt some queasiness, but we made sure to get gingerale and chicken noodle soup beforehand, so I wasn't without sustenance!

Actually, I am! It’s just... VERY slow going. X3;

This past year has been a ride, and of course it’s not just me who feels that way! I’ve had to step back and focus on my well-being, especially after that long “art winter” hit and I didn’t draw anything for nearly half a year.

Now, that art winter is starting to thaw! Fantastic! BUT I’m still focusing very much on self-care, because of... well, (gestures everywhere) THIS is still happening. A lot changed and a lot still changes, and it’s been a time of processing and getting by. So, instead of focusing hardcore on the Ryukoverse AU, I’m trying to doodle, tie up past projects that were left behind aaaages before Tumblr, and just remember what that flow feels like. It’s with that flow that the best possible story will come forth, I’m certain!

Just recently, I scrolled back through the art tag, revisiting all the story points with Mike, Doll, Jeremy, Faith, Happy 87, the Fazband, the Purples, from my own story AND from all of you. There’s so much creativity we’ve shared together! It was a joy to see it all again - and I want to share more!