Everyday Creativity, Real-Life Gains

Lola Brooks

Hey everyone, welcome back to Living in Technicolor by the Art of Living Well Academy. I’m Lola Brooks, here—Florida sunshine in my veins, curiosity in my bones. And joining me is my favorite partner in curiosity, and the producer of our Living in Technicolor Podcast, Alan Jordan. Alan, how’s it going?

Alan Jordan

Well, hey now, Lola. Feelin' mighty fine over here, appreciate you sayin’ that. If I sound a little too relaxed today, it’s 'cause I just spent half my morning on the porch with my grandbaby making watercolor “masterpieces”—that’s in air quotes. You know, 'creative expression,' as the therapists like to say.

Lola Brooks

That actually sounds perfect for today’s topic—today, we’re getting into “The Creativity Dividend”—what nobody really tells you about creativity and why it actually matters in regular, everyday life. And, Alan, I love that you just did art with someone so young because a lot of what we’ll talk about is how creativity isn’t just for so-called “artists.”

Alan Jordan

Right, and it's not just about painting or music or making stuff either. Folks sometimes get this image of creativity, like it’s all about being a tortured genius, locked in a studio somewhere. But it’s way broader than that. You can be creative when you’re figuring out how to get your three-year-old to eat broccoli, or, you know, when you’re coming up with new ways to handle a tough day at work.

Lola Brooks

Exactly. We’re talking little-c creativity—the kind that’s woven into how we solve problems and connect with people. And that’s where this “creativity dividend” comes from. Because yeah, we know inventors and artists change the world, but what about how creativity boosts your mood, helps you find meaning, or even supports social justice?

Alan Jordan

That's such a great point. And, you know, we’ve danced around this idea in past episodes, like when we talked about passion fueling growth, or how optimism shapes your outlook, but creativity’s kinda the energy drink that blends ‘em all together. It ain’t just feel-good fluff, either—there’s science to back up how creative acts affect your brain, your emotions, and even your resilience.

Lola Brooks

So let’s dig in. Because what I love is that creativity can literally shift your mood. I was reading about these studies—Drake and her colleagues looked at people who were sad or anxious —and when those people were asked to draw something unrelated to their feelings, they felt less unpleasant emotion. Isn’t that wild?

Alan Jordan

Yeah, it’s like giving your brain a vacation from whatever’s weighing you down. It’s almost funny, though, 'cause sometimes you think the way to handle challenging emotions is to dig in and analyze 'em. But a little creative distraction is sometimes just what we need. Instead of getting stuck in overthinking—oh, remember when we talked about that in Episode One?—maybe pick up a pencil and doodle, or build something, or cook something new. It’s a healthy detour.

Lola Brooks

Absolutely. And it goes even deeper—creative thinking actually helps us reframe emotional situations. Like, let’s say you’re in a meeting, Alan, and someone takes your idea and totally runs off with it in their own direction. How you interpret that is everything. Creative thinking lets us change the story in our heads—maybe the other person wasn’t being rude, perhaps they just got super excited. That reframe? That’s creative.

Alan Jordan

Yeah, that's vital. I mean, I’ve worked with so many folks—women especially—who’ll get tangled up in “Was that about me?” or “Did I mess up?” A creative lens helps you find a fresh story, not just the “default” story your mind wants to feed you. I always say that building that creativity muscle makes you more adaptable. You stop taking everything so personally.

Lola Brooks

I love that you called it a muscle, because that's precisely it—creativity’s something you build through little routines. It’s not magic. It’s not a lightning bolt that strikes. Some studies show that routines and even small challenges, like setting aside 5 minutes a day to make something, can really enhance your creative capacity.

Alan Jordan

Yeah, routines! You know, some folks think routines kill creativity, but it’s the opposite for a lot of us. Structure gives your mind breathing room. I keep a notebook next to the bed—I call it my “half-asleep journal”—and jot down stray ideas, dreams, or whatever pops up. Some of it’s utter nonsense, but a chunk of it leads to real-life solutions. And journaling’s a form of expressive writing, which researchers say is one of those not-so-secret ways creativity gives us more meaning and helps us sort through tough stuff.

Lola Brooks

And you just brought us to another advantage! Creativity actually boosts meaning in life. And psychologists break “meaning” down into coherence—understanding your own life and purpose—having goals that drive you —and significance—feeling like you matter. Simple creative acts spark all these things. Even a homemade birthday card or trying a new recipe you invent—those can make you feel purposeful and significant.

Alan Jordan

It’s so true. I mean, people picture significance as, say, curing cancer or composing symphonies, but honestly, passing down a family recipe or writing a heartfelt letter to a friend can give you that same sense of “I matter, and this matters.” Even in therapy, one of the things we do is get folks to tell their story differently. That’s creativity at work—thinking, “How else can I see this? What else can this mean for me?”

Lola Brooks

And that connects to something we both care about—a creative mindset can actually fuel long-term healing and growth. Research shows that after adversity, those who stay creatively engaged—whether they’re painting, writing, or just approaching life creatively—are more likely to view tough events as sources of resilience rather than just pain. That’s huge.

Alan Jordan

That's like what we talked about with resilience a few episodes back—it’s not always about bouncing back to who you were, but about bouncing forward, adapting, and using creative problem-solving to carve out new paths. And y’know, for some folks, creativity becomes their identity—they think, “I’m a painter,” “I’m a grandma who invents wild pancake recipes,” whatever it is. It’s purpose is with a personal stamp on it.

Lola Brooks

I want to loop in another angle here—a lot of people are surprised to hear that creativity isn’t just good for your own well-being, but it can be a tool for equity and social justice. When you use your creative abilities to understand other perspectives, or to navigate ambiguous situations without jumping to rigid categories, you’re actually helping build a more inclusive community. It’s about creative perspective-taking—imagining yourself in someone else’s shoes. That’s essential for bridging divides.

Alan Jordan

You hit on something crucial there, Lola. That willingness to sit with uncertainty and not rush to put everyone and everything in boxes, I mean, it’s a big part of compassion and empathy. In my work, I see this every day—a creative mind helps you relate better, connect, and ultimately, enables you to help others more.

Lola Brooks

And if we’re talking about connection, don’t forget how creative activities can bring people together. Whether it’s music, cooking, community projects—when we get creative together, we build relationships, spark new conversations, and sometimes even change our own perspectives. Social interactions amplify creativity and vice versa.

Alan Jordan

That’s right. We’re fed this myth that creativity’s a lonely pursuit. Still, honestly, new ideas happen best when we’re bouncing off each other—whether that’s in a brainstorming session, playing with grandkids, or even hashing things out with a friend over coffee or, well, a podcast episode like this!

Lola Brooks

So let’s recap for our listeners before we sign off: creativity isn’t just about making art—it’s about how you think, solve problems, care for yourself and others, and find meaning in the everyday. It can regulate emotions, boost confidence, open up opportunities, and even help us move toward a more just and connected world.

Alan Jordan

And don’t forget—it starts with little daily habits. Maybe set aside time for creative play, make your routines a bit more fun, or just try seeing things from a slightly different angle. It’s the little stuff that adds up. And you don’t have to be Picasso to benefit from a creative life.

Lola Brooks

That’s so true. And—shameless plug—we’ve got more coming on unlocking your inner genius, using creativity to handle life’s detours, and how to nurture creative confidence. Alan, thanks for being your creative, wise self as always! To everyone listening, thanks for joining us. Remember, life’s richer in technicolor—so go make things, break things, try new ideas, and let us know how it shapes your world.

Alan Jordan

All right, y’all—until next time, keep living full-color—Lola, always a pleasure. See y’all soon!

Lola Brooks

Bye, Alan, bye everyone! Stay curious and creative!