Staying Creative as You Age

reativity is a valuable asset that can be nurtured and strengthened at any stage of life. As we age, it's natural to think that our imaginative powers might decline, but that is a misconception.

Whether you're a seasoned artist or just starting to tap into your creative potential, here are some ways to get started:

Practice Creative Writing

You don't have to be a novelist or poet to get something out of creative writing. If you're like me, you may find that writing helps express your ideas and feelings in ways that you otherwise wouldn't be able to. Writing can also be an effective way of solving problems—it forces you to put your thoughts on paper, which helps clarify and organize them.

Writing is also great for helping with focus. If left unchecked, wandering thoughts can keep us from completing tasks we need or want to be done. Even if all you're doing is keeping track of what needs doing around the house or at work, writing things down will help ensure they're not forgotten (and end up being done).

Writing can also be relaxing. It's been shown that putting pen (or keyboard) to paper helps calm nerves and reduce stress levels. If you want to get started writing, check out our class on Creative Writing.

Doodle Regularly

You can doodle while you're on the phone, while you're waiting in line at your favorite coffee shop, or even as part of your morning routine. Try to stay off Facebook and Twitter for an hour each day and just doodle! Even if you don't feel like it at first, force yourself to do it anyway—you'll be glad you did.

Doodling is a great way for your brain to stay active and creative. In fact, people who doodle regularly score higher on creativity tests than those who don't draw on paper! Doodling helps us think more creatively about problems we face in our daily lives—and that's important because creative solutions can often solve problems faster than logical solutions will. Try these Top Drawing Apps to get started!

Use Your Imagination and Daydream

You can literally daydream about anything, but the most creative ideas come from letting your mind wander. Let yourself go into a state where you just let go of any conscious thought or awareness of the present moment, and allow yourself to imagine whatever comes to mind that feels like it might be interesting or exciting.

This is a very effective way to relax your mind in general, as well as a way of using your brain's natural power for creativity when it comes time for problem-solving or decision-making later on down the road!

Take a Creative Class or Online Course

Taking a class or online course can be a great way to learn something new.

Online classes are available for pretty much anything you’re interested in, including DIY projects, gardening, cooking and baking classes, travel guides, and more. You can take a class on how to start a blog or learn how to build websites. Or maybe you want to get really creative with photo editing software or build your own website?

The possibilities are endless and there’s definitely something out there for everyone! Check out our classes on GetSetUp to get started!

Young or old, there's no reason not to stay creative. New technologies allow us to extend our creativity further than ever before, allowing us to express ourselves on a greater variety of formats. In other words, even as the world changes around you, there are ways to stay creative.

Learn More:

• The Powerful Effects of Music on the Brain
• The Benefits of Crafting and How to Get Started