The Cult of Creativity: How Daily Art Can Transform Our Lives
As we trudge through the second Friday of January, often dubbed "Quitter's Day" due to our tendency to abandon our New Year's resolutions, a fresh approach is gaining traction. Rather than relying on clichéd advice like giving up vices or taking up yoga, embracing creativity as part of daily life could be the key to unlocking a happier, healthier existence.
The science backs this claim. Research by Professor Daisy Fancourt from University College London has found that engaging regularly with art can lower our risk of mortality by 31%, regardless of socio-economic status, demographic or health factors. A monthly cultural activity can even cut our chances of depression in half. It's astounding that despite the overwhelming evidence, governments have slashed funding for arts education and the culture sector.
To fuel this creative revolution, a new batch of books has emerged, each urging readers to connect with their inner selves through art. Julia Cameron's daily companion to her 1992 bestseller "The Artist's Way" offers inspiring quotes and prompts, while Katy Hessel's "How to Live An Artful Life" provides 366 thought-provoking reflections. Ben Luke's "What is Art For?" and Lydia Figes' "Survival Notes" feature advice from contemporary artists, including Anish Kapoor and Dayanita Singh.
However, there are valid concerns about the accessibility of art. Not everyone may find solace in ballet or pottery, and many museums and galleries can still seem intimidating and alienating. The cult of creativity also raises questions about art itself: is it truly universal, or does it cater to a select few? Should we be celebrating art that makes us happy, or should we be more nuanced in our approach?
Despite these concerns, the benefits of engaging with art are undeniable. Learning a new skill gives us a sense of control, joining a book group fosters community, and really looking at a painting forces us to slow down. As Charles Darwin wrote, "If I had my life to live over again, I would have made a rule to read some poetry and listen to some music at least once every week." It's time for us to follow his advice and make art a part of our daily lives.
By incorporating creativity into our routine, we can transform not just our individual wellbeing but also the way we interact with each other. In an era dominated by self-optimisation and life-hacking, embracing art as a daily habit offers a quietly radical shift in perspective. So, take up a pen and paper, visit your local museum, or join a dance class – your inner artist is waiting to be unleashed.
As we trudge through the second Friday of January, often dubbed "Quitter's Day" due to our tendency to abandon our New Year's resolutions, a fresh approach is gaining traction. Rather than relying on clichéd advice like giving up vices or taking up yoga, embracing creativity as part of daily life could be the key to unlocking a happier, healthier existence.
The science backs this claim. Research by Professor Daisy Fancourt from University College London has found that engaging regularly with art can lower our risk of mortality by 31%, regardless of socio-economic status, demographic or health factors. A monthly cultural activity can even cut our chances of depression in half. It's astounding that despite the overwhelming evidence, governments have slashed funding for arts education and the culture sector.
To fuel this creative revolution, a new batch of books has emerged, each urging readers to connect with their inner selves through art. Julia Cameron's daily companion to her 1992 bestseller "The Artist's Way" offers inspiring quotes and prompts, while Katy Hessel's "How to Live An Artful Life" provides 366 thought-provoking reflections. Ben Luke's "What is Art For?" and Lydia Figes' "Survival Notes" feature advice from contemporary artists, including Anish Kapoor and Dayanita Singh.
However, there are valid concerns about the accessibility of art. Not everyone may find solace in ballet or pottery, and many museums and galleries can still seem intimidating and alienating. The cult of creativity also raises questions about art itself: is it truly universal, or does it cater to a select few? Should we be celebrating art that makes us happy, or should we be more nuanced in our approach?
Despite these concerns, the benefits of engaging with art are undeniable. Learning a new skill gives us a sense of control, joining a book group fosters community, and really looking at a painting forces us to slow down. As Charles Darwin wrote, "If I had my life to live over again, I would have made a rule to read some poetry and listen to some music at least once every week." It's time for us to follow his advice and make art a part of our daily lives.
By incorporating creativity into our routine, we can transform not just our individual wellbeing but also the way we interact with each other. In an era dominated by self-optimisation and life-hacking, embracing art as a daily habit offers a quietly radical shift in perspective. So, take up a pen and paper, visit your local museum, or join a dance class – your inner artist is waiting to be unleashed.
! Art has always been a game changer for me, I mean have you seen that video of Banksy's latest graffiti piece? The way he weaves together social commentary and street art is pure magic 
. It's crazy how science has proven that it can literally change our lives, like 31% less risk of mortality?! That's wild! 
And I'm loving the new books coming out, Katy Hessel's "How to Live An Artful Life" sounds amazing 
. But yeah, accessibility is a major concern, not everyone can just pick up a paintbrush or join a dance class without feeling like an imposter 
. Maybe we need more art classes in schools or community centers? That way everyone can get in on the creative revolution 
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... i mean, sure, making art part of your daily life might have some benefits, but let's not get carried away here. what about the cost? museums and galleries are already struggling to stay afloat - do we really want to encourage more people to visit them without considering the financial implications?
... i mean, sure, some of it might be beautiful or thought-provoking, but what about people who don't connect with art? doesn't everyone deserve to have their own experience and expression?
... just don't expect me to start knitting sweaters or whatever the latest "creativity" craze is 
. Remember when we used to make our own cards for birthdays and holidays? That's what it should be about, not some fancy art school classes or expensive museum memberships 
. And don't even get me started on the cost of living – you can buy a whole set of pottery paints for less than the price of one art book 
. Still, I guess it couldn't hurt to give it a try... after all, what's the worst that could happen? 
It's time to get hands-on and make art for ourselves. Don't worry if you're not "good" at it, that's the point – it's about expressing yourself, not creating a masterpiece 
And can you imagine having a community of people who share your interests and passions? That's what I want, more connection in my life 
. I'm not saying giving up vices or taking up yoga isn't a good idea, but it's soooo basic 
. Art has been shown to literally lower our risk of mortality by 31% 
! Like, what even is that? And don't even get me started on the fact that governments are slashing funding for arts education 
. It's like they think we're all just gonna magically become more artistic or something 
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, but that's okay! The point is to find what speaks to you and make art a part of your life. Learning something new gives us control, joining a book group fosters community... it's all about finding ways to connect with each other on a deeper level 
. So let's get creative, people! 
. It makes total sense though - when we're not stuck in our daily routines, thinking about the same old things over and over, maybe we can tap into something more creative within ourselves. But at the same time, I'm a bit skeptical about this whole "cult of creativity" thing... does it really cater to everyone's tastes? Not everyone is gonna be into painting or pottery 
. And what about people who don't feel like they're artistic enough? I think we need to balance out the idea that art can save us with some real-world accessibility and inclusivity 
. Now shes all about photography and loves capturing moments on camera with me 
. Its really important to keep that creative spark alive, whether its making art or just taking time to appreciate the world around us 
.
it's like we've been neglecting our creativity for far too long and it's time to make amends 
I mean, who needs another fitness tracker when you can have a sketchbook or a paint set instead? 
whether it's drawing, writing, photography, or whatever 
I'm definitely checking out some of these books - Katy Hessel's "How to Live An Artful Life" sounds like just what I need to mix up my routine 
I love the idea of taking art seriously as a daily habit - it's time we ditched the quitter mentality and started embracing our inner artists 
like who comes up with this stuff? Its always the same old "be creative" or "follow your passion" but what about people who just want to pay their bills and live a normal life? And dont even get me started on how inaccessible art is - not everyone can afford to take a pottery class or join a book group. Can we just have a conversation about how to make creativity more inclusive instead of just telling us to "just do it"? 
. Whether it's painting, drawing, or even just doodling in a notebook, I think it would be amazing for them (and us!) to have that outlet.
. And if art can do that for us, then I'm all for giving it a try 
or simply taking a walk outside and noticing the colors of the world around you. And if we can find ways to make that more inclusive and accessible for everyone, then I'm all in 
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), but it can't hurt, right? The point is, creativity can transform our lives and bring people together 
.
. So yeah, let's definitely keep promoting the importance of creativity, but also acknowledge that it needs to be more inclusive and accessible to everyone 