Old dogs can learn new tricks: The surprising enhancement of creative abilities as we grow older

In this modern, fast-paced world, where folks often feel lost in their 30s and 40s seeking their 'thing,' wiser (and often older) individuals know it's all about being damn curious. Take a look around your neighborhood, and you'll encounter women in their 50s, 60s, 70s and beyond actively involved in some creative ventures.

The brain holds no age limits. Studies demonstrate that changes in the brain following mid-life can actually boost creativity. The left and right hemispheres integrate, and learned ideas combine in innovative ways. We have a vast storehouse of lifetime learning to express in distinctive, novel, and complex ways.

Contrary to previous beliefs, the brain is capable of continuous adaptation throughout life, provided we engage in activities that optimally stimulate novelty, complexity, and problem-solving.

Life's Colorful Mosaic

Nowadays, women reinvent themselves at different stages in life. I've always been a creative soul. My work as a Gestalt psychotherapist involved constantly dreaming up fresh methods to help individuals become more self-aware and shake off their self-limiting beliefs.

I've always believed nothing is fixed in a person, and that change happens through self-awareness and growth. Nevertheless, with my background in psychotherapy, I still questioned whether, as an older person, I could truly immerse myself in a different creative facet and succeed. It wasn't my ability I doubted, but rather my age that concerned me.

Despite retiring at 60 to focus solely on writing fiction, an activity I've always loved, I found myself struggling. I pursued and was accepted into an MA in Creative Writing at Bath Spa University. The focus of the course was writing a novel draft, but my energy began to wane. It was only when I discovered short-short (or flash) fiction that things really took off.

Fifteen years later, I've won numerous prizes, my short fictions have been accepted by literary magazines, and in 2017, my chapbook, The Chemist's House, was published by indie publisher, V Press. I've also just released a new collection, Clearly Defined Clouds. I founded an international flash fiction award in 2015 and directed the first ever flash fiction festival in the UK. Both ventures have been incredibly successful.

I've found that, at my age, I rarely hesitate to try new things. Each endeavor is a bit more of a stretch, whether it's writing a new piece of fiction in an experimental style, submitting it to magazines and facing rejection, teaching a class to inspire others to write, or crafting large projects to unite others.

Don't Sell Yourself Short

The creativity of older individuals can sometimes be dismissed as a mere hobby—a way to fill one's time in later years. But reducing your creative pursuit to a hobby alone can diminish the magnitude of the enterprise. Older folks have much to be passionate about and express, based on decades of experience.

Many decide it's "now or never" and are driven to shift focus in their lives to pursue a dream. "If anyone had told me I'd start writing at age 47, I'm sure I would have laughed off such nonsense. 'What? Me write? You mean, as in, creatively?'," says writer Christina Dalcher from the US.

"After decades of jobs in budgeting, bookkeeping, and science, the idea seemed ridiculous. I'm the one laughing now because I picked up that pen when the big 50 loomed large in my sights, when I dropped out of academia and realized words were a way to investigate myself, to look deeply inside at who I was and what I thought."

Fast-forward just a few years, and Christina secured a six-figure deal for her debut novel, Vox.

Women in mid-life often grapple with family matters, caring for elderly relatives, holding down full-time jobs, and attending to other family members. Such matters certainly distracted me in earlier decades of my life, but some women decide to let difficult life events propel them into creative action.

Jeanette Sheppard, a UK-based creative, writes and draws. When she reached 50, she began on-location sketching in an effort to combat anxiety related to dementia in her family.

"Over 20 years ago, I drew from photographs, but on-location sketching offers something more because it's about drawing from direct observation, inside or out," says Jeanette.

"I've drawn in town centers, in hospital waiting rooms, in bus queues, in concerts. I would never have imagined sketching before."

Now, she has a visual diary to look back on and remind herself of her creativity that endures in the face of family crises.

Silence Your Inner Critic

Any life event can spark a creative response. UK-based award-winning poet and prose writer in her 40s, Angela Readman, took up needle felting in December 2017 to ease her mind during a stressful house move.

She picked up some felt to stave off pacing, and soon found that sculpting small creatures soothed her.

"Something else started to happen," says Angela. "I showed people the things I created and they liked them; it was a satisfying feeling."

Despite her success as a writer, she confesses she's spent a lifetime telling herself she had no skills or talents.

"I had to quiet my inner critic. It was a shift in the way I think about myself." She now runs an Etsy shop.

There are other ways to quell negative self-beliefs. Taking a weekly creative challenge can help. Sue Borgenson says it's a promise to herself to submit an entry every week. She's written over 90 pieces and never missed a week, including while undergoing cancer surgeries.

"I think the nurses thought I was bonkers. But it was the commitment I'd made to myself that, if I wrote nothing else, I'd still do an Ad Hoc," says Sue.

Sue has formed a group of other writers who participate in the weekly contest with her. Building a community is a crucial part of creativity.

Nowadays, there are so many forums—both virtual and face-to-face—that connect you with others. As a woman with no children or extended family, I've created a network on social media through my passion for short fiction.

The meet-ups I arrange through reading events, my teaching, and the Festival of Flash Fiction have brought me friendships with people of all ages.

Creativity has a wide scope. It's not only about being an artist. At any age, and particularly in later decades, if you dabble in something new or revisit past interests, you'll discover just how expansive you can be.

In the realm of workplace-wellness, a growing emphasis on health-and-wellness initiatives includes prioritizing mental-health, skin-care, and aging issues as crucial aspects for employees.
The integration of mindfulness practices in the industry of education-and-self-development has proven to be an effective tool for personal-growth, enhancing focus and reducing stress.
Fashion-and-beauty industry continues to evolve, reflecting the needs and preferences of an aging demographic, with an increased focus on inclusivity and catering to women's-health concerns, such as menopause.
Within the food-and-drink sector, the rise of healthy cuisine and sustainable cooking methods mirrors the lifestyle choices of older individuals seeking healthier alternatives.
Sports organizations, like the WNBA and NCAA basketball, are investing in career-development programs for their players to ensure a smooth transition and success post-retirement.
Job-search platforms are introducing goal-setting tools, skills-training programs, and networking opportunities for older workers navigating the job market.
In an effort to support continuous adaptation, various institutions offer ongoing learning opportunities in various fields, such as science, technology, and arts, promoting lifelong learning.
Collaboration between businesses and seniors' communities has emerged, fostering opportunities for older adults to engage in education, skill-sharing, and mentorship.
As a result, the NBA has recognized the potential of older players and has encouraged veterans to stay involved with the sport through coaching, paving the way for post-playing careers.
With the rise of e-learning and self-paced courses, education has become more accessible to those seeking to expand their knowledge base and skillset at any age.
In support of entrepreneurship, many local governments have established small business programs to empower retirees to leverage their lifetime learning experiences and unique perspectives in starting businesses.
The arts community encourages intergenerational collaboration to break down age stereotypes, allowing older artists to engage with fellow creatives and showcase their work, making the landscape of crafts even more diverse and dynamic.