Be a creativity slut: the benefits of having multiple creative hobbies

This blog post is inspired by a chat I had with Jae Herman on her #RealTalk🎙in Real-time podcast last year. She asked about multiple creative hobbies versus dedication to one single craft.

I told her that I felt creative people should have more than one hobby. For example, writing isn’t my only creative endeavour — I also play the drums, do taxidermy, go horse riding, and love a good cross-stitch.

I make art sometimes, too. Here's a mixed media ‘brain scan’ I made for the Creative Rehab zine two years ago. 👇👇👇

But are there actual benefits to spraying your creativity over lots of different past-times? Actual scientific benefits?

Yes, mam. Let’s get into it…

Personal growth and development

Slutting about all over the creative landscape isn’t just a fun way to pass the time, it’s also a great way to grow. Not just skills-wise but also on a personal level. You’re setting recurring challenges and watching yourself rise to meet them. It’s very rewarding and great for your self-esteem, too!

The first time I learned about swung drum grooves, I thought I’d never be able to get it right. I hated it. Fast forward to today, and that shit doesn’t phase me. I can swing a sixteenth note groove and not even think about it.

Escapism

Now, more than ever (lol) escapism is so incredibly tempting. It’s great for your mental health to take a brain holiday from the fuckery we’re all mired in right now.

It’s wicked to have something for yourself, that you do because you want to. And better yet, you absolutely smash it.

You’ve got more creativity to give

It’s a known fact that when you spend time nurturing yourself, you usually have more to give to others. This is true in so many walks of life and creativity is no different.

It’s all too easy to shrivel up and dry out when you pour all your creativity into work-related tasks. You need to replenish yourself by feeding into your own creative endeavours.

You probably couldn’t stop yourself even if you wanted to

If you’re anything like me, you can’t help finding new ways to be creative. Even if you wanted to dedicate yourself to the pursuit of perfection in one creative discipline…could you really stop yourself?

Give me a shout on Twitter and let me know your thoughts!