Creativity in Mid-Life

One of the things I've noticed recently is how many of my associates and friends are blossoming creatively in mid-life. Many are taking up art as a hobby or as self-expression. Several of my women friends in their late 30s to early 60s are now taking drawing or painting lessons, after a lifetime of thinking of themselves as non-artists. But don't leave out the male friends. One has moved from banking to film editing. Another has moved from industrial welding to metal arts. Some are taking up musical instruments or writing fiction.

Maybe it is the realization that life is too short not to have fun. Maybe it is the inability to keep our innate creativity bottled up any longer. Maybe it is an important way to express who you truly are as you discover who you truly are...a common mid-life journey. Whatever it is, it's bringing more joy to my friends.

The wonderful thing about creativity no matter what form it takes is that it seems to make us all feel more alive, more involved and more a part of life. There is nothing quite like creating something from your vision, your heart and your hands. It is the process as much as if not more than the final product. There is a certain amount of "wonder" knowing that no one else but you created this and that it is beautiful/intriguing/startling/or whatever!

If your own personal muse is calling you, you may want to check out the wonderful classes at Kay Kemp's Wild Heart Art (http://www.wildheartart.com)

All blog content is copyrighted, all rights reserved, Mary Anne Fields and Life Unfolds, 2006