Unlocking Your Creativity

Recently, I listened to a great podcast called “The Diary of a CEO” with Steven Bartlett. In the episode titled “Neuroscientist Reveals Four Hacks to Rewire Your Brain for Growth and Success,” Bartlett and neurologist Tara Swart discuss how making minor changes in your life can supercharge neuroplasticity — train your brain for growth and success. These items include eating dark-skinned food like blueberries (and dark coffee too), using positive self-talk, and exercising.

After opening an arts and crafts store in Severna Park just over six months ago, I’m in the business of helping people “exercise” their brains to become more successful at creativity.

Raising four kids over the last 22 years, I developed a saying, “The more you do, the more you do. The less you do, the less you do.” My kids are sick of hearing me say that, but they know what I mean: Be active and you will want to stay active; be still and you will find it hard to get motivated. I believe this applies to not only exercise and staying active but also to creativity.

I have never felt more creative and inspired, and I have also never been involved in so many creative projects and been so social with others who are creative or want to become creative in some way.

And I propose that we are all creative! As humans, we creatively solve problems to survive. Many people who come into the shop say, “Oh, I’m not creative. I’m just here because my friend is a quilter.” And then I frequently find out that he or she is a baker, a gardener, a writer, a teacher, a frequent party host, or a great stylist. These are all creative outlets. By expanding our creativity and using positive self-talk, our brains become strong muscles of creativity, capable of so much original thought and output.

Getting kids to try a craft, any craft, is a great opportunity to give them positive feedback and to show them how to move out of their comfort zones — exercising their creativity. I’m thrilled when kids want to take part in something they have never done. Using their hands to mold something out of clay, using colored pencils on black paper, crocheting a little animal, or sculpting with pipe cleaners are all things that help them learn how to be creative thinkers. Positive feedback and positive self-talk train their brains to continue this behavior and grow into creative beings.

At Cottonwood, we host nonprofit groups like Stitches of Kindness and have open stitch nights that foster a sense of community and give people the chance to talk with others about being creative. Making minor changes in your life can supercharge your brain. Instead of family game night, perhaps family craft night is a fun alternative and will spark some hidden talent in the family. Keep those neurons firing in the realm of creativity!