Maybe Creativity Matters Even When You're Not Good at It

Good Morning.

Somewhere along the way, many of us stop doing things we're not particularly good at.

As children, this hardly seems to matter. Making something can be enjoyable before we have any idea whether the result is good. Later, the result starts to matter more.

That can change our relationship with creativity.

We begin to associate creative pursuits with ability. If we can't draw well, perhaps drawing isn't for us. If what we make isn't impressive, it can seem difficult to justify the time spent making it.

Research suggests we may be overlooking part of the value.

Studies examining creativity and well-being have found a positive relationship between creative activity and how people feel. In one daily study, people who spent more time doing something creative reported greater well-being afterward. Other research examining multiple studies has found a similar connection.

What's interesting is that creativity doesn't have to lead anywhere for the experience itself to matter.

Making something asks something different of the mind than consuming something someone else has made. You begin with an idea that doesn't yet exist in quite that form, and for a while, your attention is occupied with bringing it into the world.

Whether the result is any good is a separate question.

That distinction becomes easy to lose as we get older. We become accustomed to evaluating what we do. Creative activities can begin to feel as though they need an outcome before they're worth our time.

But creativity existed long before anyone saw the finished product.

Perhaps that's why being bad at something creative can still be surprisingly satisfying. You can recognize every flaw in what you've made and still enjoy having made it.

Skill may determine what we can produce.

It doesn't necessarily determine what we can get from producing it.

And sometimes making something badly may be considerably better than never making it at all.

Longevity

The Long Game
One small thing for a longer life

Try This

Swap one refined grain for a whole grain today.

White bread for whole grain, white rice for brown, regular pasta for whole wheat, or oats instead of a sugary cereal.

In a large review of 45 studies, eating about three servings of whole grains a day was associated with a 17% lower risk of dying from any cause, along with lower cardiovascular risk. Even smaller increases appeared to be beneficial.

One swap is a small way to move in that direction.

Nutrition is one of the six factors that shape how well we age. The Worthyest Longevity Index measures all six in 4 minutes. Yours, personalized.

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Source: Aune et al., BMJ, Systematic review and meta-analysis of 45 studies.

The Curiosity Edit

Today’s Insight: Gut Health

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Coffee contains far more than caffeine. New research is revealing how some of its other compounds may interact with the microbes living in the gut, with effects that could reach beyond digestion. Read the full story here.

Modern Living:

Energy & Well-Being

What to Do When You're Running on Empty

We usually notice when our phone is running low. Our own energy can be easier to ignore until there's almost nothing left. Read the full story here.

Health & Wellness

Health Clues Hiding in Plain Sight

Some useful health information comes from knowing where to look, whether it's understanding how an infection spreads, noticing what the body can reveal about aging, or recognizing the surfaces where germs accumulate. This collection takes a closer look at three things that are easy to overlook.

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Microbiologists Warn This Overlooked Surface Is Covered in Germs, Especially During Cold and Flu Season
We tend to think about doorknobs, phones, and other frequently touched surfaces during cold and flu season. Microbiologists point to another common surface that gets plenty of hands on it but considerably less attention.

The Conscious Plate:

Food, Nutrition & Elevated Living

What to Eat for the Health You Want

Food choices can influence the body in ways that extend well beyond the meal itself. This collection looks at a whole grain that may support healthier blood pressure, foods that could help with uninterrupted sleep, and supplements commonly associated with kidney health.

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Whole grains bring fiber and other nutrients to the plate, but some have particular advantages for cardiovascular health. Dietitians point to one familiar option worth considering if healthier blood pressure is the goal.

The 5 Best Foods to Eat Before Bed for Uninterrupted Sleep, According to Sleep Experts
A late-night snack doesn't necessarily have to work against a good night's sleep. Sleep experts identify several foods whose nutritional profiles may make them better choices when hunger strikes before bed.

Can Supplements Actually Support Kidney Health?
The kidneys depend on adequate nutrition to perform their many jobs, but supplements aren't automatically beneficial just because they're marketed for kidney health. Here's a look at several that may have a role, along with why people with kidney problems should be particularly careful about what they take.

Final Note

This is what we leave you with. A thought to end the day, carry in your pocket, or come back to later. Nothing big. Just something to reflect on.

When the Options Change

One new possibility can make an old limitation suddenly look negotiable.

We often organize our choices around what seems possible at the time. A constraint becomes something we learn to work around, and eventually we stop questioning whether it has to be there at all.

Then something changes. A new opportunity appears, someone finds another way, or circumstances open a door that wasn't available before.

The limitation may still exist.

It just no longer gets to make the decision.

Pass It On

Sometimes a thought, an idea, or a perspective connects at just the right time. If something here feels like it might resonate with someone you know, share it with them.

Your voice matters. Let’s inspire more people together.

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