Can I tell you something?
I've stared at this computer screen for over 30 minutes. I know what I want to say, but today, the simple act of putting those ideas into words just seems hard. My mind is tired and anxiety wants to creep in. But, I fight. Everyday, I put on my big girl pants (aka yoga pants, because we're all friends here) and make a little list of things I can do. I have about 4 things that I try to do every day to keep my mind sane (go on a stupid walk/exercise, read the Bible, read a book, do something creative). By doing these things, I feel lighter and less anxious than the days where at least one of these happens. It doesn't matter what. I mean, this week, I've been sewing a couple face masks each day (Weston was in need of some new ones). . . but oh, man, does it feel so good when I'm done! My heart feels lighter.
We don't have to look far to find things that can tug at our heart strings and cause our minds to start worrying and becoming anxious. You don't need to have a medical diagnosis to experience anxiety (I don't!). The reality is that we all worry. We get anxious. It's a normal way for our bodies to react to things like news alerts, covid, cancelled plans, unknowns, and the list can go on. I know that when everything was shut down (almost 2 years ago), I had to be intentional with my time so that I wouldn't go on a downward spiral. Exercising my body, stupid walks, and creating were my 3 favorite things to turn my anxiety around. . . and it did!
This little space became a teenager last week and I thought that carving out some time to explain why creativity is so important and is for everybody (even if you have proclaimed to the world that you are not a creative person!). So here are 5 reasons you should incorporate creativity into your daily routine.
1. We are all created to create.
I believe that God created us in His image and God himself was the ultimate creator. He created the world, humans, animals, and pretty much everything. The Bible uses words like Potter and clay to describe Him. God molded us in His image and if that's the case, then, we too, are called to create. And let's be honest, sometimes we aren't very good at understanding what it means to create. So many of us just chalk it up to being an artist or a musician and we don't feel gifted and so we say, "We aren't creative."
Abraham Maslow, a psychologist who taught at Colombia and a few other Universities, said, "Creativity is a characteristic given to all human beings at birth." Even psychologists agree that we are created and wired to be creative!
There are so many ways to use the creative part of our brain, that we sometimes don't give ourselves the credit for actually doing something creative! Creating does not have to be an original idea. . . that's just crazy. That's why there are patterns and recipe and countless tutorials and how-to's out there! Plus, while we are all created in God's image, we are also all unique. Which means, how I create might be different than how you create and that's OKAY. I mean, if you need to spend an hour making a Instagram reel and that brings you joy. . . do it! But, don't compare yourself to your bff who is over at her house painting amazing murals all over her walls.
2. Creating is good for your physical health (and may help you live longer!)
There is a lot of research that has found the being creative is actually good for your physical health. There have been a lot of studies that have found that just taking the time to be creative is like a workout for the brain. . . it keeps the brain healthy! Creative people tend to live longer with higher neural networks into old age! I'm no neurologist, but that sounds pretty cool!
There is a documentary film, I remember better when I paint, that found that when they put a paintbrush in the hands of patients dealing with dementia, once they began painting they were able to reconnect with the world.
NPR put out an article in 2020 that interviewed a few neurology professors and psychologists and found that anytime you engage your brain with some sort of visual expression a reward pathway in the brain gets activated. . . translation: you feel good!
There is probably a lot more research out there, but trust me. . . it's good for your health!
3. Creating is good for our mental health
We all know how stressful life is and how anxious we all get. We are humans, it's going to happen. There are things beyond our control and it's not going to stop. We have to be able to deal with it. While, I do believe that going to God is our number one source of help in times when we need to chill out and de-stress, I also believe that he gave us the ability to create for a reason and this might just be one of them!
Studies have shown that doing creative things helps with depression anxiety, and also grief. I know that when I take the time to do something creative, I feel good. My outlook and attitude are better than when I am anxious or stressed. One study measured cortisol in 39 healthy adults and after each one spent 45 minutes creating art, each one had significantly lowered their cortisol levels.
That's pretty cool. After reading about that study, I really think that spending a few minutes each day doing something creative is just as important as exercise! (Somebody might question that, but that's what I think!).
Creativity is something I am passionate about. Am I perfect. . . absolutely not. Are there things I can't do. . . definitely! It's why I started my blog. When I was pregnant, I was really into making cards with stamps (it's something that I still gander at here and there 13 years later!) and someone actually asked what I was going to do with my craft supplies once I had my son. I am so thankful that I didn't listen to her advice and took the time to be creative, try new things, when my first born was a baby. I found time. I took advantage of nap time to do something that energized me and gave me life. As a mom (littles and bigs, alike) it is exhausting. Sometimes you just feel drained from keeping up with their needs and schedules that it's important to take some time and do something creative. . . even if it means doing an art hub for kids lesson alongside your kids. It's important.
I hope you stick around and join me in a few creative adventures this year. I'm going to try some new things, finish some projects, bake some goodies and do some traveling!
p.s. Check back next week and and we'll be looking some of the ways we can be creative. . . even when we don't feel like we can.
IN THE COMMENTS: How do you get creative?
