Does creativity really disappear as we age?
It seems we could find several theories to support yes or no. The strongest direction is that we do and I can see why but it seems to depend on the long term consequences of creativity, some which are learned , some due to circumstances, personality, professional success that locks us into certain output and style,and then physical limitations, economic, and emotional limitations and why one chooses to create in the first place (as in ego driven or profit driven) .That’s the way I am reading it and I am trying not to look for confirmation bias against the idea we lose creativity.
There are 12 traits of creative people and at 68 I don’t seem to have slowed down or lost these traits. I may have peaked professionally in my 40's and 50's but that's not the same as inherent creativity. I don’t argue there is some cognitive slowing down or diminishment, but does that really equate to creativity disappearing? I may have slowed down and I may not be ambitious or interested in the business side of art, but again that's not an indication of diminished creativity. It only signifies that I don’t need to focus on the art market, or pleasing a gallery, or feeding an ego. So many articles mention these factors in the progression of our creative lives . What I do know is that I need to create on a daily basis either drawing, painting, crafting with polymer , photography , along with trying new mediums and techniques.
I did find this article in Scientific American by Psychologist Dean Smith Simonton interesting and he stated In response to the question “it depends if creativity is assessed by productivity or by making original and valuable contributions to fields such as science and art. ". So if you are concerned it is definately worth a read.
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