The Importance of a Creative Outlet
by Alex Hey, ADHD Coach and Inattentive ADHD Coalition board member
I perform in an improve group, write poetry and design jerseys. Why do I do these things? I need to have creativity in my life. Flexing my creative juices keeps me sane. Without a creative outlet, I get restless and depressed. I need to be creative; all ADHDers need a creative outlet. Here's why:
It's fun
Being creative and making something is downright fun. If a creative activity is not fun, find another one because we need to have fun. Having fun makes the sucky parts of life bearable.
It provides a sense of accomplishment
When you complete a creative task, you can say, "I did that." I smile when I finish an improv scene because I enjoy myself and make the audience laugh. When I finish a poem, I take pride in writing something artful with my thoughts and feelings. When I post a new jersey design on my Instagram account, I always get at least one "Like." That appreciation is enough to make my day. When I create something, I feel capable, boosting my self-esteem.
It's a great stress reliever
They say laughter is the best medicine. When the audience laughs at our improv scene, I benefit, feeling any anxious feelings I had melt away. When I need a laugh to lighten my life, I go to improve.
When I feel discouraged, I pick up my pen and write. My poems help me make sense of my life and make me feel better. Designing jerseys completely engages my mind so that I can push any worries or anxiety aside.
You can join a community
I do improv as part of a team. Over time we have gotten to know and enjoy each other's company. We are always laughing.
I was most depressed when I had my most prolific poetry writing phase. I was in a poetry community and benefitted from sharing my writing and hearing what others wrote about their life challenges.
Because there is a whole online community of jersey designers, I never lack for the community.
Creativity benefits other areas of your life
My experience with improv makes me a better coach. I quickly add occasional humor to lighten difficult conversations. Writing poetry gets me in touch with my feelings. Recognizing my feelings, even sad ones, frees me to be better and happier. Designing sports jerseys gives me something to discuss with others and has led to interesting conversations. When I am unsure about what to say or can't think of anything to say, my fallback is to mention that I design sports jerseys. This never fails to provoke my interest.
Now you've read how creativity improves my life. What about you? How do you creatively express yourself? How do your creative pursuits benefit you?