In the hustle and bustle of today’s fast-paced world, we have been conditioned to measure every moment by its output. If an activity isn’t explicitly building a career, earning income, or optimizing our resume, society deems it a waste of time. It feels like no one simply draws, plays, or creates for the sake of it anymore. But by sacrificing play on the altar of productivity, we are losing something fundamental to being human.
The Myth of Productivity and the Necessity of Brain Balance
True well-being requires a balance between our analytical, goal-oriented mindset and our intuitive, creative selves. Having a creative outlet is what allows us to de-stress, process our experiences, and truly connect with who we are.
It allows us to feel good and productive while not having to have a specific final product in mind. My favorite part of being creative is that there is no right or wrong answer; you just have to do what makes you feel good.Â
For example, adult coloring books allow you to color random mystical patterns, providing a sensory experience and escape from the real world. Even 15 minutes of sitting down and coloring a day can make you feel better almost immediately. When we create something with our hands, whether that be an art, a craft, or an article, the feeling of being able to say “I made that” is one of accomplishment and peace; a feeling we tend to chase in today’s productivity-oriented society.Â
Creativity allows us to feel productive without forcing us to worry about a specific final product. My favorite part of being creative is that there is no right or wrong answer; the goal isn’t to achieve perfection; you just have to do what makes you feel alive.
“Rotting” vs. Real Rest
For me, writing is that essential outlet. Yet, as life has become busier, I find myself falling into the trap of thinking: I just don’t have time to write.
In reality, that isn’t true. It isn’t a lack of time; it’s that I don’t prioritize giving myself the space to write or connect with my creative side. Driven by a success-obsessed culture, our immediate impulse when we finally catch a break is to “rot”; to scroll endlessly on our phones and shut our brains down entirely. While passive consumption feels like rest, it rarely leaves us feeling restored. Reconnecting with a creative practice offers genuine renewal that mindless scrolling never can.
“One of the cardinal rules of creative writing is to turn off your inner censor when creating the first draft and if you’re lucky things will tumble out from your unconscious that will resonate in the unconscious of your readers and strike deep.” – “The Molecule of More,” Michael E. Long, Daniel Z. Lieberman
What Makes Us Human in the Age of AI
Creativity is a natural human capacity. We were built to be artistic, expressive, and imaginative. Unfortunately and ironically, as artificial intelligence takes over image generation, writing, and music synthesis, humans are increasingly turning off their own creative abilities.
Creative thinking requires people to let go of the conventional interpretations of the world in order to see things in a new way; in other words, they must break apart their preconceived notions of reality.Â
Recent research demonstrates that active creative expression is vital to our mental health and overall well-being. As we delegate our imagination to algorithms and consume more and more AI-generated media, we risk cognitive decline and losing the very thing that makes human expression unique.Â
Reconnect with your creative side
Reclaiming your creativity requires pushing back against a culture that demands instant gratification. Mastering or enjoying any art, whether that’s music, writing, or painting, takes time. In a fast-paced society, sitting with the uncertainty of a blank page or practicing a skill without immediate perfection can feel uncomfortable or unproductive.
Creative activities allow us to intellectually stimulate ourselves and do something we love; this combination allows us to feel happy and whole. Creative outlets provide us with hobbies, with an activity that we can always go to to get a quick pick-me-up or reconnect with ourselves.Â
Try leaning into a few simple habits to reconnect with your creative side.
Accept that making art takes time. Learn to enjoy the process rather than focusing solely on the end result.
Let your imagination wander, or keep a notebook nearby to jot down whatever crosses your mind. Daydreaming builds self-connection and creates space for new ideas.
Grab a pen, markers, or even just a pencil and take time to doodle. It doesn’t need to be fancy, polished, or shared with anyone else. Let yourself play for the pure joy of it.
Takeaways
Connecting with your creative side is a vital way to care for your mind. Give yourself permission to slow down, sit with uncertainty, and reconnect with your human side. In an era of computers and artificial intelligence, our touch to our human side is a relationship with creativity. Tap into your emotions and your humanity; allow your creativity to thrive.