Finding creativity and curiosity after retirement
- col-lee-elliot-aging-graciously
- June 15, 2025
- 90
Throughout elementary school, high school and college, I never attempted to draw or paint anything, because when I saw what others had accomplished, I knew I couldn’t do that. It wasn’t within my brain. Somehow, midlife, I doodled myself into thinking I might be able to create something on paper, and a couple of weeks ago, I pulled out a box of acrylic paintings I hadn’t seen for 40 years. They weren’t bad, but they definitely weren’t good.
Thus it is that I took my first watercolor lesson this past week. What a wonderful experience. There were seven of us in the class — two very talented teens, four of us in the 60-80 range and a 97-year-old who paints like all get out. Everyone was far more experienced and, I think, talented than me.
All knew the routine, the tools and the rules, and I was a rank beginner. No difference. All were kind, patient and encouraging, as was the amazing teacher. I came home excited and renewed, with plans to be hanging in the Metropolitan any day now.
Part of my art avoidance may be that I have a spatial perception problem. Truly, I can stand in my downstairs and not be able to picture which room is above me or what I would see if I looked out the window in that room. When I am designing a stage set, I can’t envision the sizes of doors and windows or the amount of space I’m going to need. This probably goes along with my very bad sense of direction. Thank goodness for excellent set builders and computerized verbal directions in the car. I’m hoping my art lessons may help with that.
It is really easy, when you have worked hard and retired, to get into a habit of not doing much. No one cooks or entertains much, gardens go by the wayside and “I used to play the organ” is a given. I am a firm believer that curiosity, learning and doing are what keep us shuffling into a happy old age. Fortunately for me, my parents encouraged my unquenchable curiosity about everything in the world, except boxing or any kind of sport where people are deliberately beaten up.
There are so many things one can do besides the puzzles that are always suggested. I love to work the crossword (most old English teachers do), but when it is done, it is done, and then what do I do?
How about joining a writing group? You still have something to say, and there you find people to listen and enjoy your perspective. Music can change your mood in a heartbeat. Sing in a choir. Learn a new instrument. Wouldn’t it be fun to be able to play the piano or guitar at 90?
Garden in two containers — one for tomatoes and one for peppers — then invite friends in for a bacon and tomato sandwich lunch. Start a new dinner group that meets once a month to try out a new restaurant if you don’t like to cook any more. Attend the many activities and speakers at our libraries and read. Turn off the horrible world news and transport yourself into someone else’s world who may have even worse problems than you think you do.
If you don’t want to be out with other people, take a stand on something and write letters, sharing your viewpoint. Learn to FaceTime with faraway family and friends. None of these things is difficult to do, and each is guaranteed to bless you with newfound energy.
I have to stop now as I have a partially finished painting awaiting my attention. I am learning to paint trees. Next week it will be rocks and then water and flowers, et cetera. Finally, one day it may be a portrait of my beautiful Willow. I have already taken her picture and am waiting until the time I can challenge my teacher to help me put her on canvas. This is really fun.