Not only is January the start of a new year, but it is International Creativity Month. There’s no time like the present to start exploring your interests and expanding your creativity!
At Brandermill Woods, learning a new skill or trying a new activity couldn’t be easier. Sign up today for a line-dancing lesson, mahjong group or to take a woodcarving or pottery class. Our monthly calendar has something for everyone: painting class, bridge, yoga, dance, theater, poetry, lectures, billiards, cribbage and so much more.
Some research shows that we can lose creativity as we age. Recapture your childhood wonder by looking at the world differently and doing something new.
It’s easy to put off discovery until later, but here are three good reasons to get inspired now:
1. Healthier aging
Creative activities can support your health and well-being. Ongoing research shows that creative pursuits can lead to more openness and greater longevity. According to the National Institute on Aging, “participating in the arts may improve the health, well-being, and independence of older adults, and help with memory and self-esteem.”
The AARP states that participating in the arts can offer a wide range of health benefits, including reducing depression and anxiety.
2. Building community
Getting more creative may open doors to new friendships–whether it’s in an art class or participating in a theater production or choral group. In today’s digitally distracted world, the arts are a great way to meet new people and build face-to-face relationships.
Stepping out of your comfort zone may feel difficult at first. But put yourself in new environments. You may discover new friends, new places and new skills.
3. Create a legacy
When you capture ideas and share them, others benefit. You may discover you are an incredible baker or you have a hidden talent for ceramics. Use your new creative skills and talents to create meaningful gifts and experiences for the ones you love, and create memories for years to come. A handmade quilt will endure in your family long after a store-bought gift.
Try your hand at poetry or fiction. If you don’t know where to start, begin with nonfiction: tell your own story. Keep a journal of ideas or memories or record yourself talking about special moments in your life. Then, form those ideas into an outline — and start writing.
If writing isn’t your passion, record your life through photography or videography. It’s never been easier to get started. Most smartphones today have cameras that surpass digital cameras of the past. That said, there’s still a compelling argument for buying a proper camera.
Free yourself from old ways of thinking and find your flow. Capture your ideas. Check our calendar of events. Make 2022 your most creative year yet!
