BEING CREATIVE IN AN EVER-CHANGING WORLD: A YOUNG PERSON'S VIEW

We live in an ever-changing world. It is a world that values certain ideals; academic performance, stability and presenting a strong outwards image. But these are not easy to achieve, especially for a young person who might be struggling. 

Creativity to me is one thing that is apart from the competitive and difficult environment elsewhere. It is a process where mistakes don't matter and the outcome is not actually that important. It is a hugely important skill that gives us so many benefits and is an essential part of our humanity.

Creativity is about self discovery and expression. To some extent we have become an emoji generation, but not all emotions fit neatly into one yellow expression. Creativity allows us to engage with the feelings that are hard to realise and deal with, as it can encapsulate the complex feelings in a way that words and emojis cannot. 

Art, music and drama allow me to process the things that have happened and the way that I feel about them, and to some extent creates an element of release for these feelings.  Also, in the increasingly stressful environments that surround us, it can be a form of active meditation, something that allows us to unwind and disengage. 

Creative activities help to lower the stress hormone, cortisol, which so often spikes in day to day life and when we immerse ourselves in a task it can bring huge peace of mind. It is something for me that will always be separate from the stressful environment of school or college.  Not only that, but if we look at life as a series of problems and challenges then the values of creativity become clear. 

Creativity firstly allows me to express my emotions, then to take a break from them and finally I feel that I can solve the everyday problems that I face. Being creative and uninhibited can provide an approach from different angles into difficult problems, especially ones that initially were harder to express. The science supports this. For any brain, but in particular a young one, creativity creates new neural pathways in the brain, particularly in the areas relating to emotional regulation and problem-solving.

It is a process that can be applied to any situation, school, home or, for some of us, work. Every single act of creativity adds value to my life, whilst nurturing my mental health and reinventing my everyday. It is just so important.

Sofia, 15

Sofia joins us for work experience and is now a member of our Youth Advisory Board