Why Creativity Can No Longer Be A Luxury
We're living through a paradigm-shift - and mini-c creativity is essential for the next generation.
Head in the Clouds is a publication + educational resource from Daydreamers. At Daydreamers, we’ve turned Creative Health into a way of being - for everyone. We built the Daydreamers Universe to rebel against the stressors of modern life, and harness our human superpower - creativity - for well-being, power + fulfillment.
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Hey there,
DD HQ here. Be honest with us: How often does ‘being creative’ feel like a luxury?
For some reason or another, creativity always falls to the bottom of our collective To Do list. We never have enough time. We don’t have the resources. Heck, maybe we even think we don’t have the ‘talent.’
No matter which way we look at it, creativity is seen as a a frivolous, I’ll-do-it-later-when-I’m-not-so (exhausted, stressed, fill in the blank) type of thing.
We’re here to tell you that it can no longer be the last item on your agenda - because creativity is…the future. Not to be dramatic 😅, but what we’re talking about here is bigger than just doodling to reduce stress before a meeting or brainstorming a new recipe.
Our Creative Health - both individually and collectively - is how we will continue to survive and thrive as a species.
Think about it this way: As humans, we aren’t the fastest species. Or the strongest. But, we do have the capacity to think differently. To imagine new ways of doing things. To let our curiosity build cities or ideas or spaceships.
Sadly, our world today doesn’t foster that way of being at all. We prioritize straight lines and linear pathways. We eradicate curiosity, adaptability and openness in favor of fitting in.
So, at Daydreamers we see it as our job to teach us all how to think again. How to be human again. And most importantly, how to feel alive again.
We came back from Rejuvenation Week with more fire than we’ve ever had, because the threats are looming large. Whether it’s robots writing sonnets, or impending climate doom - the only thing that’s going to save us, as a species, is using our creative brains.
You already know how vital creativity is to our individual health + happiness and importantly, how it can help us rebel against Achievement Culture writ large (if not, read up!).
So now, let’s dive into the science behind creativity as a world-changing tool that lives right here…in our DNA.
Expanding your POV: Creativity is a way of thinking, not just “art”
What if we told you that creativity is something we’re all born with - equally?
A lot of people come to Daydreamers and tell us they’re ‘not creative.’ They spend their days as engineers solving massive problems - but they’ve lived their lives believing they’re only logical thinkers. Or they’re storytellers who constantly imagine things that aren’t “real”- but once, someone told them they couldn’t paint as a kid.
They’re moms and dads; secret Lego-makers, once-in-a-while bakers. Adaptable, curious, creative thinkers.
But, for some reason the world has convinced them that creativity is a product, not a perspective. That it’s only for kids, not a ‘serious’ thing to do if it’s not your job.
And then, they get stuck in the rote, linear thinking that the world requires of us; answering emails, churning through To Do lists, until that creative spark is barely crackling.
Sound familiar?
When we look at how creativity is defined in the scientific literature, it’s so much broader than we think. It’s not making a pretty picture; it’s a way of thinking, a way of being, a way of existing in the world.
At Daydreamers, we like to define creativity across three different scientific approaches, based in psychology, neuroscience and social-emotional learning. Here’s a quick peek:
Openness [psychology]: One’s ability to seek out variety of experiences, be comfortable with the unfamiliar, and pay attention to their inner feelings.
Mental flexibility [neuroscience]: Our brain's ability to adapt to new, changing, or unplanned events.
Curiosity [social-emotional]: Our motivation and desire to learn, gain knowledge or explore something new.
Each of these elements have one thing in common - they help us see the world in a new and different way. And the best part is that even though they’re natural parts of being human - we can improve them over time with practice.
Not only are these qualities at the center of helping us feel happier and healthier - they’re so much more worthwhile to invest in than cracking the next AI tool or learning to code at 38. Mini-c creativity is at the root of problem-solving and critical thinking - a literal mental tool we can take with us no matter what new technology arises.
Even more - creativity makes us kinder, more empathetic humans. A recent study out of the Creative Research Journal showed that creativity and empathy are interconnected elements of human cognition. Essentially, empathizing with others is a creative process onto itself.
So, if creativity helps us build a kinder, more open, more curious and imaginative world - why wouldn’t we prioritize it more often?
Why this matters: Creativity is the future
Of all people, when OpenAI’s founder, Sam Altman, was asked what kids should be studying in school right now he said this:
“Resilience, adaptability, a high rate of learning, and creativity.”
Creativity, at least the way we define it here at Daydreamers, is the future.
The coolest part to us is that this isn’t just for kids in school. It applies to all of us - and it’s never too late to start.
We actually measure each of these facets in the Daydreamers Universe as a core element of your Creative Health. And we’ve seen that regardless of age, creative comfort level or background - every single element can improve with practice.
The more we create, even for fun (or especially for fun), the more we strengthen our human superpower.
A long time ago, Steve Jobs said: “Those who think differently are the creative spirits in the world who are here to change it. While some may see them as the crazy ones, we see genius.”
At Daydreamers, we think of it differently: instead of genius, we see human. To be human is to be creative. So, for all of our round pegs trying to fit into square holes: your brain is here to change the world. Let’s unleash it, together.
See you in a few weeks (or very soon!) -
Katina, Dupi
and the team at DD HQ
Experiment with the concept:
Creativity isn’t frivolous - it’s the foundation for the future.
THE WHY: The world is changing faster than ever, and the only constant is our ability to adapt, grow and create. As adults, our capacity to be open, flexible and curious doesn’t necessarily deteriorate, but it does require practice. And the best part? It makes us - and our world - a happier, healthier place, too.
THE HOW: Your brain can become more creative, with practice. At Daydreamers, we measure the impact that consistent, creative practice can have on your openness, resilience, mental flexibility and more. And it only takes regular, micro-moments of mini-c creativity in order for you to move the needle 🧠.
Where DD HQ’s heads are at:
WE’VE BEEN READING: The Runaway Species: How Human Creativity Remakes The World by Dr. David Eagleman and Dr. Anthony Brandt. This book has been a top favorite on the Daydreamers bookshelf for a long time, but we can never stop thinking about it. The mix of neuroscience, history and philosophy feels especially relevant to our deep dive today.
AN IDEA WE’VE BEEN NOODLING ON: “[Art] is not a luxury for our downtime, but an important contributor to our physical and mental well-being.” Susan Magsamen, neuroscientist, co-author of Your Brain on Art (and fan of DD!). Want to go down more of a Creative Health rabbit-hole? Read the full article here.
Did this newsletter expand your brain? It’s our mission to give every single adult access to their natural creativity, and turn it into an active part of daily life.
If this free resource changed your POV, share it with friends, too. When you reach 10 shares, you’ll get a special discount + an opportunity chat with our co-founders when you join Daydreamers Early Access.