Writing on her Psychology Today blog, Shelley H. Carson, Ph.D. says:
“The aging brain resembles the creative brain in several ways. For instance, the aging brain is more distractible and somewhat more disinhibited than the younger brain (so is the creative brain).
Aging brains score better on tests of crystallized IQ (and creative brains use crystallized knowledge to make novel and original associations).
These changes in the aging brain may make it ideally suited to accomplish work in a number of creative domains.
So instead of promoting retirement at age 65, perhaps we as a society should be promoting transition at age 65: transition into a creative field where our growing resource of individuals with aging brains can preserve their wisdom in culturally-valued works of art, music, or writing."
She adds: “Both older individuals and creative types are more willing to speak their minds and disregard social expectations than are their younger, more conventional counterparts.”
She finishes with this: “I challenge each citizen, whether you are currently a senior citizen or a senior-to-be: first, consider one life lesson that you would like to pass on to future generations. Second, decide upon a creative medium in which you could embed this lesson - perhaps a novel or a painting or a musical piece. Then make it the work of your post-retirement years to grow proficient in that medium and to produce a work that embeds your message.”
I think that’s a good challenge no matter what your age. Why wait for your post-retirement years?
(Your brain can benefit from a monthly free injection of tips and techniques on how to be more creative-via my Brainstorm e-bulletin. Just send an email request now to [email protected])
