Creativity is an entirely personal thing. Whether you are someone who enjoys performance and may even be a member of your local theater improv group, or else you are much more at home with watercolors and an easel, the main thing is that you let those creative juices flow.
So, with that being said, continue reading to discover the importance of creative pursuits for older adults.
Creativity: Defined
Essentially, creativity is the practice of using your experience, imagination, or knowledge (or, indeed, a mixture of all three) to create something new.
This new object can be a physical item, such as a painting or drawing, for example, or a concept, such as the great philosophers of both the ancient and modern ages.
Inventors, architects, and writers are all creative people who use their skills to produce works to be admired for generations to come (or at least their local book club!).
The Importance of Creativity
The surrealist movement is, in essence, at the heart of creativity, as in order to create something new, you must first break down pre-existing ideas, items, objects, and images before jumbling the pieces together and adding your personal flair.
There are, genuinely, countless advantages to allowing room for more creativity in your life, especially in the case of older adults, for the following reasons, to name but a few:
- You gain a new perspective and a new way of looking at the world
- You can find out more about yourself now that you are older and wiser
- Each day becomes more varied and unpredictable
- Your relationships both at home and work will become richer and more exciting
- Your mind is kept active, and your creative juices flowing helps with cognitive strength
- You will become more confident in yourself and who you are
- You will find yourself less stressed and even in a better general mood
This is why every single reputable and renowned senior living community, such as assisted living in Burbank, always ensures their residents have access to a varied, exciting, and unique activity schedule packed full of creative pursuits and hobbies.
Creative Hobbies for Older Adults
The answer as to whether or not a hobby of yours, or an activity or other pastime, is creative is somewhat of a moot one, as essentially any activity, be that the mundane or the unusual, can always become creative, depending on the individual.
There is, of course, no limit to what you can do, start, learn, or experience when you are older, and the only true limit is your own mind (and perhaps your bank account).
Having said that, if you enjoy gardening, for example, why not set about entirely replanning the layout and introducing a new water fountain, pool, or other more ostentatious element? Alternatively, perhaps you are never happier than when you are in the kitchen, and if so, start to ignore the recipe books and advice from questionably-skilled celebrity chefs in favor of ‘winging’ it to create your own delicious meals.