Bostin News: Nova and Rainbows and Me - a 21-day challenge during lockdown

During lockdown, when many of us wondered how we might fill our days at home, Bloom Creative Wellbeing CIC launched their 21-Day Rainbow Challenge via social media. It caught the attention of Rosie who was looking for something to do with her toddler Nova, and thought it would be great way to find a bit of creativity and fun every day.

Here she tells us the story of her three weeks with Rainbows.

The 21-Day Rainbow Challenge kicked off mid-April, just as it was announced that we all needed to stay at home for another three weeks to protect each other and our NHS. The creative challenge was simple: every day, for twenty-one days, Bloom shared a word as a creative prompt and encouraged their social media followers to make a rainbow inspired by that prompt.

Bloom said,

‘Taking part in the challenge and being creative every day is so good for your wellbeing. Using the symbol of the rainbow connects us together even though we are apart physically. Displaying your rainbows represents your support for our NHS and key workers who are working so hard to keep us all well and safe.’

It definitely sounded like something I wanted to be a part of.

Since having my gorgeous daughter, Nova, just over fourteen months ago, it's been really tricky for me to find the time and space to be creative. I’ve really missed creating and making stuff (I’m an avid crafter), so this was such a nice opportunity to find that again in a way that wasn’t too full on, and something Nova and I could hopefully do together. 

The first prompt was: PAINT. Can you make a rainbow today using paint?

During the UK’s physical distancing measures, paint had become as difficult to get hold of as flour and toilet paper. Eventually, once the paints arrived, I wrapped Nova up in one of my old T-shirts, and we went out into the garden. I dolloped some paint out on a tray on the ground. Normally I get so excited setting up what I think are super-fun activities for us but then Nova will take one look and just walk off.

It was a wonderful surprise when she stuck her hands straight in, squished the paint in her tiny fingers, and made the most beautiful rainbow. I’d told myself that I would stop if I wasn’t enjoying it, or if it was too much pressure, but thankfully we got off to a great start. And Nova loved it.

There were days that were a little trickier, days I had to cheat a little, and days I didn’t feel up to doing very much. In the past I might have beat myself up about that but I was able to accept it and find small ways to get some creativity in the day through little responses to the prompts. These trickier days still reminded me to take a little time for myself and reminded me of the things I like to do for me. True creative wellbeing in action. 

The last prompt was: PARTY. Can you create a RAINBOW PARTY today?

I was feeling pretty down when I got up that morning, so with this idea of ‘party’ in my mind, I decided to dress us both up in party outfits for the day. We’ve all spent a lot of time in joggers and leggings recently (which is definitely the right move) but I thought it would be fun to feel just a little bit fancy. 

I was feeling inspired so I made us each a rainbow-coloured party hat, put on some music and we had a little dance party in the living room. We had such a fun day, and wearing our party outfits put us (well, me anyway) in a much brighter mood. 

I really enjoyed the actual creative activities and thinking about how to respond to each prompt, but also loved photographing the things we’d created. That became a creative activity in itself; how to capture the essence of our creative work. I have created a photo series of all of our creative responses, and called it ‘Nova and Rainbows and Me’. I’m so happy I have an archive of this time in our lives. Bloom are going to do an exhibition in Dudley of all the photos their followers shared as part of the Rainbow Challenge, once we’re all able to be together again. I can’t wait to see Nova and her rainbows in the exhibition. 

I know it might seem like a silly social media challenge, but it really did help to boost my mood at this difficult time. I don't mind speaking for everyone when I say that this has been a huge test of our mental wellbeing – in so many different ways. Doing this challenge has highlighted just how powerful creating something can be. Everything I made or found was so simple (and with a toddler climbing on me) but it still made such a positive difference to how I was feeling. 

So – here’s a reminder, from Nova and me: find a little bit of creativity every day and do the things that make you smile.    

Words and images by Rosie Ellis 
Rosie was commissioned by Content Editor Louise Bloomfield