Why your next birthday should include a paintbrush

“Art is a guarantee of sanity.”
French-American artist Louise Bourgeois

Did you know that Cuban-American artist, Carmen Herrera, sold her first painting at the age of 89? She had painted almost every day over six decades, not for fame or money, but simply because she loved it. She called painting her reason for being. And she kept going, well past 100, showing up in her New York studio with endless curiosity. She lived to 106.

There’s something powerful about staying curious, expressive, and playful. It may be one of the most important things we can do for a long and meaningful life. And research backs this up. Creative expression has been linked to better mental health, improved memory, and longer lives.

Picasso, Matisse, Monet – all continued creating well into their elder years. Henri Matisse turned to paper cut-outs in his 70s and 80s when illness made painting difficult. He called it “drawing with scissors in his second life” – and some say it was his most joyful work. Georgia O’Keeffe continued making art even after losing her eyesight. She lived to 98. And Louise Bourgeois, one of the most celebrated sculptors of the 20th century, only had her first major solo exhibition at 71. She worked almost daily until she died at 98.

Last month, I witnessed the power of creativity first-hand. A group of clients came together in Cape Town for an apron-painting workshop. On the surface, it may have looked like a morning of arts and crafts. But it was so much more. Laughter flowed as freely as the paint. There was connection, expression, and a wonderful reminder that doing something purely for the joy of it is reason enough.

As I’ve explored the science of creativity and ageing, I’ve discovered some fascinating facts. A study published in the Journal of Aging and Health found that people who regularly engage in creative activities report higher levels of happiness and life satisfaction. And research from Harvard suggests that creativity stimulates the brain in ways that help protect against cognitive decline.

Here are a few reasons why creativity deserves a place in your week:

• It lifts your mood. Creative activity releases dopamine, the feel-good chemical that reduces anxiety and helps combat low moods.
• It keeps your brain flexible. Creative hobbies like painting, writing, or even knitting activate different parts of the brain and improve memory.
• It’s good for your health. Studies have shown that creative expression is linked to fewer illnesses, better immune function, and greater longevity.
• It helps us connect. Creativity brings people together and keeps us connected to ourselves.

The best part? You don’t have to be an artist. Creativity lives in arranging flowers, cooking a beautiful meal, planting a new herb in the garden, or choosing a bright scarf simply because it makes you smile. If it brings you joy, it’s worth doing.

So, give yourself permission to play, whether it’s painting an apron, writing a few lines in a journal, doodling, baking, or rearranging your photos. Get messy. Experiment. And remember how good it feels to do something simply because it makes you happy.