Episode 13: Embracing Creativity with Age

Creative Work Hour

November 13, 2024

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Show Notes

In today’s episode, we delve into the intriguing topic of how aging affects creativity. Our hosts and guests share personal insights and experiences on how their creative journeys have evolved over time. We explore themes such as liberation from societal expectations, overcoming self-doubt, and the importance of seizing the moment to express creativity.

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Key Discussion Points

The Impact of Aging on Creativity

• Freedom with Age: As we get older, there’s a growing sense of freedom from worrying about others’ opinions. This shift allows for bolder creative expressions and a willingness to take risks publicly.
• Reduced Inhibition: Aging brings increased self-assurance and a shift in priorities, enabling individuals to explore their creativity more freely.
• Awareness of Mortality: The realization of life’s finite nature serves as a catalyst for creative exploration. This awareness prompts individuals to prioritize creative pursuits they’ve previously set aside.
• Life Experiences: Facing personal challenges or witnessing the experiences of loved ones can reframe perspectives and encourage individuals to seize the moment.
• Pandemic Influence: The pandemic’s impact on social activities provided unexpected time for creativity, which some have chosen to maintain.

Challenges in Embracing Creativity

• Overcoming Fear and Self-Doubt: Many creatives struggle with fear of starting or fear of judgment, which can hinder the creative process.
• Permission to Create: Granting oneself the permission to pursue creative endeavors is a common hurdle.
• Taking the First Step: Initiating the creative process and stepping out of one’s comfort zone can be the most challenging part.
• Distractions: Staying focused amidst internal and external distractions is a universal challenge for creatives.
• Creating Space for Creativity: Finding the physical and mental space to be creative requires silencing internal and external voices.

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Personal Reflections

• Alessandra: Discusses the fear of not fitting in and learning to embrace that her work isn’t for everyone. She emphasizes giving herself the space to heal from past critiques and boldly express her creativity.
• Bobby B: Highlights the importance of taking that initial bold step towards creativity. He reflects on reaching a point in life where the risk of creativity outweighs potential negative outcomes.
• Bobby Wasserman: Shares that giving himself permission to go for it is the hardest part of being creative.
• Devin: Speaks on the significance of the awareness of mortality in prompting creative expression, emphasizing that now is the time to pursue long-held creative desires.
• Devin: Discusses the challenge of creating the physical and mental space for creativity and the necessity of shutting out distractions to let the creative voice come through.
• Shadows: Jokes about distractions being akin to “squirrels” that divert attention from creative tasks. He also mentions that aging and the pandemic gave him time to focus on creativity, which he chose to continue.
• Greg: We care less about what others may think, and have fewer inhibitions.

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Memorable Quotes

• “As you get older, you care less about what others think and more about what creativity does for you.”
• “You reach a point where the risk of creativity outweighs what may become of it.”
• “It’s time to express… do that creative expression that you put off for so long.”
• “We only have the… present time.”
• “If I’m not for everybody and what I’m creating is not for everybody, then I can say… It’s not for you. It’s for somebody else.”
• “What’s the worst going to happen? I got to step back.”

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Call to Action

Have a question you’d like us to discuss? Send an email to [e-mail]. Join us again tomorrow for another insightful episode!

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Contact Information

• Email: [e-mail]
• Website: Creative Work Hour

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Thank you for tuning in! Join us each day this month as we continue to explore creativity and its many facets.