As we enter their 60s, we often find ourselves with more free time and fewer responsibilities than we had during our younger years.
While this newfound freedom can be liberating, it can also be challenging to fill the extra hours with meaningful and enjoyable activities.
In my case, I turned to writing while also exploring more of my comedic talents via acting and public speaking.
You certainly don’t have to be a writer or actor to access more of your creativity after 60. What you do need is an open mind and a willingness to allow your inner child a safe space to play and create without limits as she once did.
In the fifth and final article and video of this five-part series for Sixty and Me readers on “The Healing Power of Laughter,” you will learn new, playful ways to activate your creative side through laughter.
Overcome Challenges to Creativity
Creativity knows no age limit. All of us are born with an unlimited supply of creativity, which means you can engage in creative pursuits well beyond 60.
There are, however, certain challenges we all face when it comes to being more creative. Whatever your personal challenge may be, to overcome it you must first acknowledge the story behind the perceived challenge.
By bringing the story out of the dark recesses of your mind and into the light of your awareness, you can see the limiting beliefs that frame it. This means you can see the truth of that story, making it easier to no longer allow it to define you.
To help you identify your challenges, here are four common obstacles women face when wanting to be more creative after 60.
- Confidence & Self-Expression
- Imposter Syndrome
- Limited Time & Energy
- Perceived Lack of Relevance
I share more insights on each of these in the accompanying video you can find above the article.
An important part of redefining yourself after 60 is to recognize and honor how these challenges have affected your beliefs about your creativity. For as much as these challenges can be difficult, they can also liberate you from limiting beliefs.
Where does laughter come into all of this? And how does laughter help you activate your creative side?
Laughing Your Way to Creativity
Laughter is a sure-fire approach to overcome a lack of belief in your creative expressions. It releases the stress associated with self-imposed limitations, making it easier and a lot more fun to tap into your creativity.
From journal prompts and fun-filled exercises to creative brainstorming and collaborating with others, laughter can provide a safe space and pave a stress-free avenue for self-expression, introspection, and creative exploration.
Here are seven joy-filled ideas to help you foster your creativity through laughter:
Funny Moments Journal
Set aside a dedicated journal to jot down funny and amusing moments from your day-to-day life. Reflect on humorous incidents, amusing conversations, or anything that made you laugh. Writing down the details makes it easier to relive the experience and spark creative ideas.
Comic Collage
Collect comic strips, cartoons, online memes, or funny illustrations from different sources. Create a comic collage by cutting out your favorite images and arranging them in a unique and creative way. This visual representation of humor can evoke laughter and inspire your own creative ideas.
Lighthearted Poetry
Explore the world of lighthearted poetry by writing humorous verses or limericks. Play with words, rhyme schemes, and unexpected twists. Let your childhood imagination run wild as you experiment with different forms of poetry to express funny anecdotes, observations, or witty thoughts.
Silly Storytelling
Gather a group of friends or join a local community group and engage in a silly storytelling session. Take turns sharing funny and imaginative stories, building upon each other’s ideas. This collaborative activity encourages creativity, laughter, and promotes the joy of storytelling.
Laughter Yoga
Laughter yoga combines deep breathing techniques with playful exercises and laughter, without relying on jokes or humor. The contagious nature of laughter will boost your mood, relieve stress, and ignite your creative spirit.
Laughter & Art
Paint or draw whimsical and comical scenes, experiment with vibrant colors, and let your childhood imagination guide you. The process of creating art, with laughter as your muse, is enjoyable and inspiring.
Improvisation
Engage in improvisational activities, such as improv theater or improv games with friends. These exercises encourage quick thinking and spontaneity, and activates your creativity.
Embrace Laughter
These ideas and exercises can serve as a starting point to activate your creative side. Feel free to adapt and personalize them to suit your preferences and interests.
The key to all of this is embracing a playful growth mindset. Doing so allows you to let go of inhibitions, limiting beliefs, and immerse yourself in the joy of laughter and creative expression.
Above all else, embrace laughter, embrace creativity, and have more fun!
I invite you to join me in the video as I share additional insights on overcoming challenges to being more creative after 60. I will also share how you can integrate what you’re learning through journaling.
Let’s Have a Conversation:
How does laughter help you to be more creative? What strategies have you used to incorporate more laughter into your life?
