A little bit on creativity

What is creativity? Creativity is defined as “the tendency to generate or recognize ideas, alternatives, or possibilities that may be useful in solving problems, communicating with others, and entertaining ourselves and others.

Often, we find ourselves so busy and overwhelmed that we forget to engage in activities that truly elevate our lived experience. Our lives are filled with endless to-do lists and half-finished projects. We rarely take time to observe and meditate, learn something new, and express ourselves in a creative way.

Research shows that engaging in a creative activity lowers stress, decreases mental fatigue, and enhances confidence and self-esteem.

So congratulations on taking the first step on exploring your creativity!

Art and our brain

The fact that as a species we began creating and connecting with each other, and still do, highlights the importance of cultivating and encouraging artistic expression in our everyday lives. Scientists now know that artistic ability and creativity exists in all people and “some people have greater abilities and expertise for certain creative tasks” (De Pisapia, et al).

So, can we become more creative? Yes!

The brain is an organ that is constantly learning and adapting to our environment and the activities we do. When we practice a particular skill consistently, we are changing “our brain structures and functionalities in the specific brain areas that are used in these tasks” Being artistically active simultaneously engages two parts of the brain that “are often viewed as being in opposition…namely mind-wandering and the control of attention.” In other words, being creative and artistic is good for and challenges your brain. (De Pisapia, et al).

According to Psychology Today, many people feel like they have little or have limited creativity. But as we have discussed, creativity can flourish at any age and time in our lives if we step outside our comfort zone, practice our newly acquired artistic skill in an exciting way, and stay present in the moment. Practice and consistency are the keys to training our brains to be more creative.

As Picasso said, “Inspiration exists, but it has to find you working.” Artists have this reputation of being naturally creative and inspired. But what most people don’t see is all the hard work behind that final art piece. It requires daily work, practice, and diligence. You will create a thousand drawings or ideas that are terrible before you find one good one.

What is creativity when we think about it in this lens? A way of expressing ourselves by creating an art practice. Essentially, creativity emerges through hard work, dedication, and not being afraid to fail. For every good idea, there will be a thousand crappy ones. The key is to not give up.

Art and mental health

The arts have always had a positive effect on mental health, and the pandemic really brought to light how vital expression and creation is for our mental and emotional wellbeing.

“Creativity in and of itself is important for remaining healthy, remaining connected to yourself, and connected to the world”— Christianne Strang, a professor of neuroscience at the University of Alabama Birmingham and the former president of the American Art Therapy Association

For many people, sitting with a blank sheet of paper or choosing colors for a coloring book can be intimidating. Creating a work of art can sometimes seem like a scary and daunting task. Prof. Girija Kaimal, professor at Drexel University and a researcher in art therapy, explains that “engaging in any sort of visual expression results in the reward pathway in the brain being activated, which means that you feel good and it’s perceived as a pleasurable experience.” (Gharib, Malaka)

Art making can help with our mental health by allowing us to be introspective while letting out stress and frustration. It helps with emotional intelligence by exploring feelings, building self-regulation, and increasing empathy.

In short, making art is good for you because:

• It helps you visualize a positive future

• It helps your focus

• It lowers stress

• It helps you process your emotions and feelings

• It gives you a sense of achievement

Have fun being creative!

Being creative can also have a positive impact in the workplace because we are more open to being playful as we focus on the process rather than the end-product. It also allows us to be open to different ideas and to be willing to keep experimenting. Being more creative can help you think better through problems and come up with creative solutions.

“Play happens outside ordinary life”— John Cleese

John Cleese has this amazing talk on Creativity in Management. I recommend you watch the video.

According to Cleese, to be creative, you must be in a creative disposition or mood and the only way to achieve that is to play. However, as adults we don’t really give much thought to the importance of play, so we must “create a space where [we] get away from the ordinary responsibilities of everyday life.”

Breaking your routine is a good way to carve out space for spontaneity and creativity. When you decide to give yourself the time and space to be creative, don’t force it! Don’t feel like you must create something amazing. The purpose is to give you a mental break, allow your thoughts and feelings to have a safe space, and most importantly to have fun doing it!

Want to be more creative?

Often, we find ourselves so busy and overwhelmed that we forget to engage in activities that truly elevate our lived experience. Our lives are filled with endless to-do lists and half-finished projects. We rarely take time to observe and meditate, learn something new, and express ourselves in a creative way.

Research shows that engaging in a creative activity lowers stress, decreases mental fatigue, and enhances confidence and self-esteem. MAR allows you to carve out space and time to discover, understand, study, develop, and grow as an artist.