The lifelong perks of being creative
and why it's not just for kids
My first piano lesson, my father and I rocked up to the local Catholic convent to meet my teacher.
She was, as you might have guessed, one of the nuns. And in my humble five-year old opinion, she was also an ogre.
One hundred years old, at least! Long black habit. Ruler in hand to rap my knuckles every time I made a mistake…you get the picture.
It didn’t take long for my parents to realise it wasn’t working and find someone much nicer.
But to get to this new teacher’s house I had to walk along a street with a very big and scary dog. My mother would walk me there, and I distinctly remember one time practically climbing up her side as if she were a tree, and ripping her dress in the process.
The price of pursuing a creative pursuit, right? Right?
Well, according to this article, there is a strong link between learning a musical instrument in childhood and future success in adulthood.
Woohoo!
Creativity for small kids and much bigger kids
It’s long been thought that learning music as a child can help with all kinds of things, from language development and reading and mathematical ability, through to enhancing memory and attention span, and improving problem-solving skills and cognitive flexibility.
Throw in self-discipline, emotional expression and regulation, and confidence and self-esteem building, it’s clear that music can really pack a powerful punch.
But I don’t think you have to be a kid to benefit, and I don’t think it has to be music.
Creativity in any form
Creativity in any form is going to be amazing for the brain, heart and soul.
Music might be a standout tool because there are so many ways you can incorporate it into your life, but it’s only one of many.
Engaging in any kind of creative activity on a regular basis as an adult is going to increase connectivity in the brain, especially in the bit responsible for imagination, daydreaming, and self-reflection.
But wait, there’s more!
Who doesn’t want to actively fight against cognitive decline? And who doesn’t want to strengthen their ability to manage stress, make decisions, and solve problems?
I’m not saying creativity is a magic cure-all. But the truth is that when you find something that sparks your curiosity and you stick with it, despite the natural ups and downs, you’ll start to see these benefits in action.
Plus, there’s magic to be found in the experimenting, the mucking around, the puzzling how to do something until that moment you realise you’ve actually made something unique.
And it doesn’t have to be much.
It could be singing a song your own way, painting by numbers, sticking together a model airplane, or writing a limerick. Who cares?
It doesn’t matter what you’re doing as long as you’re doing it and reaping the rewards, both big and small.
Do I regret those lessons with the monster nun? Not anymore.
They turned out to be the beginning of a much bigger story, one that keeps unfolding every time I sit down at the piano or open my mouth to sing a song.
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