We're in a creativity 'crisis' and that means something.
“A creative life is an amplified life. It’s a bigger life, a happier life, an expanded life, and a hell of a lot more interesting life. Living in this manner—continually and stubbornly bringing forth the jewels that are hidden within you—is a fine art, in and of itself.”― Elizabeth Gilbert, Big Magic: Creative Living Beyond Fear Feet covered in saw dust, hands practically dipped in paint and a thousand threads sticking to my shirt, I looked over at my mother and smiled. She had on a similar ensemble, messy hair and all.
My weekends this summer were a fun test of hard work and creativity along side my mother. For all my life, she has been a maker. This year, I decided to join her.
Working with my mother in this capacity will forever hold a special place in my heart. Not only was physical work done, but work on our hearts was done as well. We’ve grown closer than ever and that is so special.All summer I’ve observed my mom as a mother to me and then me as a mother to my son. Having the opportunity to paint mindlessly for hours has the advantage of a lot of time to think. As I’m raising the next generation of our family, what things do I want to pass to my own child? Aside from a strong faith, manners and familial loyalty, I have to say that answer is creativity.
Growing up, my mother always encouraged creativity and the pursuit of passions.
We jokingly talk about the various phases we went through as children. Needless to say, hip-hop dancing attempt with three uncoordinated kids was a failed version of this pursuit. But there were passions that stuck. For my brother, it becoming a self-taught guitarist and the creation of music. For my sister, it is her way with words and problem solving that will turn her into the wonderful lawyer she is on her way to being. For me, I dabbled in various activities from creative writing to fine arts. I’ve found as I have pursued a career in research, the creation of something with my hands after a long day helps to destress me. While allowing us to be creative, my mother also showed us what it was to be creative as well. She was always working on something. We had beautiful handmade gifts at Christmas, she made quilts for school silent auctions and often donated her work for various causes. She loves to give her work to others {and often it’s me, pining away for something she’s made}. Among all of those creative projects, she also showed us what it is like to fail, to have a project go wrong. She had many projects that didn’t go her way. But that did not stop her from continuing to pursue her creativity. Outside of her creative work with her hands, she showed us what is was to live a creative, imaginative life. A life filled with stories and magic. She helped us learn how to creatively problem solve and allowed us to be bored so that the magic of creativity could begin.
SPEAKING OF CREATIVITY, we love the Tie Dye Lab in Avon.
Kyung Hee Kim’s article The Creativity Crisis reports American creativity declined from 1990’s to 2008 {and then again from 2008 to 2017 with an updated version} with 5-6 year olds suffering the greatest. Declines in various thinking such as “fluid and original thinking”, “elaboration and simplicity”, and “creative attitude” were all measured and showed significant decline. All of these skills are said to lead to successful lives, including employment skills. I say all of this because this is a problem in society that shouldn’t be ignored. I need the daily reminder that my child needs space to be creative. Children need less planned activities. They need more spaces in which creativity can thrive, in which they can be messy and explore.I got a hard look into reality this summer on who I want to be for my little kiddo. If being creative means that I have to embrace the mess, step on a few LEGOS {my son’s current choice of creativity} and plan fewer activities for him, I will help him in the pursuit of creativity. And I hope I am half the mother that my mom is to me and my siblings. Thanks mom, for another life lesson you’ve shown me through leading by example. <3
ABOUT THE AUTHOR: CityMom Alicia Hazelwood is pretty sure she will never actually graduate from school. She is currently pursing her Ph.D. in educational psychology with a focus in online learning.When she’s not knee-deep in research, Alicia serves in her favorite role as mommy to her four year old son.She enjoys crafting, Costco and chasing a good coupon deal. She uses cycling and running to compensate for her love of eating too many tacos.
