Midlife Creative

I’ve been on the look out lately for people around me who are extremely creative, but don’t recognize or acknowledge their gifts. These people love art and are attracted to artists, but don’t fully realize their potential. They are meant to be a part of a creative tribe and find joy in calling themselves artists, but have been telling themselves a different story because of fear of failure or insecurity. They often excuse their gifts by saying “it’s just something I do for fun” or “I’m not as good as most” or “I could never ask for money for this” or “I would do more, but I just don’t have the time”

I’m thinking about the stay at home mom who makes her kids’ sandwiches into shapes and paints original murals on their bedroom walls. I’m thinking of the neighbor who spends his evenings and weekends on woodworking projects after coming home from his day job. Im remembering the engineer who is writing a novel and the neighbor who is learning everything there is to know about quilting and loving it. How about the retiree who plays clarinet in the city band or the woman who dreams of going on outdoor adventures and writing about it?

These everyday people may not ever be recognized as “artists” by the masses. We tend to put people into categories based on how they make their living. Those we call artists are those who get paid for it.

Another category of people that I am discovering are those who have had a creative practice earlier in life, but have quit. I have lost count of the number of parents of my piano students who have told me they used to enjoy playing the piano, but don’t play anymore. I’ve also heard people tell me they went to college for art or journalism, but have set their work aside since having kids or starting their career. I’ve heard stories of people who “used to travel and go on adventures” and others who “used to write, or paint, or sculpt”.

I’m on the look out for hiding or sleeping artists because I once was one. I was so consumed with taking care of others that I didn’t make time to discover what I liked and what I was good at. Since going through The Artist’s Way by Julia Cameron and being intentional about living a more creative life, I have started to come alive. I now consider myself a writer. I also have begun to see piano teaching not just as my vocation, but as a creative outlet. I have begun looking for new ways to connect with students using off the bench activities, games, and improvisation.

Part of waking up to this inner artist is being around other artists and seeking out people who will encourage your artistic pursuits. Another helpful practice is naming what you are proud of about yourself and things you want to work on and sharing these with others who will keep you accountable. We are born to live in community and relationship, and sometimes going it alone can cause us to quit or slowly drift away from creating.

Starting and stopping are normal and nothing to be ashamed of. Why not pick up that thing you’ve been thinking about for awhile? Why not join a creative group or start your own? Why not start calling yourself an artist? You just might already be one.

Everyone has a story to tell. I want to find the stories of the artists living in secret and challenge their coming out. The world needs to see and hear about their unique creations – but most importantly – they need to create. It may be the difference for them between having a Midlife Crisis or becoming a Midlife Creative.