Does Creativity Decline with Age?

I read an article in the Times the other day on why creativity declines as we age. Studies were quoted and explanations offered. The gist is that to solve a problem, adults use pre-existing knowledge rather than discover something new. Young, preschool-age kids are more open to discovering something new and accepting the new information.

This has been labeled "exploitation vs. exploration" by computer scientists. Adult maturity stops when we have a "good enough" amount of knowledge to get by in the world. The problem is, stuff keep happening that requires creativity to solve it, and we rarely think outside the box!

The article comments that:

"When we face a new problem, we adults usually exploit the knowledge about the world we have acquired so far. We try to quickly find a pretty good solution that is close to the solutions we already have. On the other hand, exploration — trying something new — may lead us to a more unusual idea, a less obvious solution, a new piece of knowledge."

Talking with a client today reminded me that we often think we have a "good enough" life. My teacher, Dennis Leri, used to call it a "C+ existence." Why be complacent? Especially complacent with discomfort! Why not have more? More ease, more comfort, more reaching, bending, turning, jumping. More skill, more organization, more coordination, more flexibility, and more joy.

Creativity doesn't have to slow as we age. We can always choose to see the new data and let go of the "pretty good solution" in favor of responding fully and authentically. Unraveling ruts, compulsions, and repetitive patterns, said Dr. Feldenkrais, leaves us with freedom, spontaneity, and a true maturity.

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Use this puzzle lesson to explore your creativity as you figure out new solutions.