Creativity kind of gets a bad rap…
It is so often thought of as something that only the exceptional few possess — the domain of professional artists, brilliant inventors, gifted designers.
And whether as observer or maker, we tend to think of creativity as something outside of our daily lives — sitting off to the side in a box labeled “date night” or “hobby” or “field trip” or “self-indulgence”.
We overlook the truth that we are ALL creative, every day of our lives. And that — unless we take a naked hike out into a remote wilderness area (and leave our phones behind) — we are also pretty much surrounded by the creative choices of others every moment of the day.
Creativity is our birthright and in our DNA as humans.
And it turns out it has a huge impact on our well-being and quality of life.
Creative thinking is how we solve problems and envision new possibilities for ourselves. It’s a useful skill whether you’re a designer, accountant, parent, or retiree.
But creative self-expression — with its wide range of aesthetic possibilities (writing, dancing, cooking, drawing, composing, sculpting, knitting, flower arranging, etc.) — benefits us in broader ways as well.
It helps connect us with ourselves, building self-awareness and creating feelings of agency. It can be soothing and emotionally integrating, boosting our ability to self-regulate.
And in one study after another — including ones looking at brain imaging and biochemical markers — results show that creative expression helps lower stress, improve mental health, reduce pain, boost immune function, contribute to overall happiness and life satisfaction — and much more.
And it’s not even just being creative that is good for us. So is noticing, experiencing, and appreciating the aesthetic and sensory gifts all around us.
We use creative thinking all the time. But most of us tend to be more limited in how much we engage in creative-self expression — and in how much we seek out new aesthetic experiences. And viewing our lives through a creative, aesthetic lens? That’s rarer still.
But it’s possible. And it makes life so much richer and more beautiful. And it makes us healthier, happier people.
Creative living is a mindset and practice you can cultivate and grow — and enrich your life with. It doesn’t require loads of free time — just a fresh lens on life and a willingness to play a little with the possibilities.
And so that’s what we’ll be exploring and experimenting with this month. I can’t wait to see what unfolds!