Author: Maria | BSc Aquaculture, MSc Fish Nutrition
Creativity is often misunderstood.
Many people hear the word and immediately think of painting, music, or artistic talent. But creativity doesn’t belong only to artists. In truth, each of us has a creative side—something we express consciously, practise instinctively, or carry quietly within us, waiting for the right moment to surface.
Creativity can show up in the way we solve everyday problems, communicate with others, adapt to change, or re‑imagine routines that no longer serve us. It doesn’t need a label to be real. And it doesn’t need an audience to be meaningful.
In recent years, creativity has begun to receive renewed attention—not merely as a talent, but as an important contributor to mental health and emotional wellbeing.
That shift is no coincidence.
Creativity and Mental Health: More Than a Hobby
As conversations around stress, burnout, and emotional wellbeing become more common, creativity is being recognised for what it often is:
a coping mechanism, a form of self‑expression, and a way to restore balance when life feels overwhelming.
Creative outlets—whether writing, cooking, designing, gardening, journaling, or simply changing how we do something familiar—allow us to:
- process emotions safely
- regain a sense of control
- reconnect with ourselves
- slow the mind and become more present
These activities don’t demand perfection. They don’t have deadlines or grades. They simply ask us to engage.
Perhaps that’s why periods of increased stress often coincide with people rediscovering old interests—or trying something creative for the first time. Or perhaps creativity has always been there, quietly supporting resilience, waiting for the right moment to be noticed.
How Resilience Fuels Creativity (and Vice Versa)
Resilience and creativity are deeply connected.
Growing up in a third world country was, in many ways, a formative training ground for resilience. Life presented limited resources and opportunities, and meeting everyday challenges often required ingenuity. Necessity demanded solutions that were practical, resourceful, and sometimes unconventional.
That ingenuity naturally led to creativity.
Over time, one lesson became clear:
resilience nurtures ingenuity, and ingenuity fuels creativity.
When life doesn’t offer ideal conditions, creativity steps in—not as decoration, but as a tool for adaptation.
A Small Idea That Changed Everything
As a teenager, I wanted to earn my own money during the summer so I could buy a bicycle. I didn’t want to burden my parents with the expense, so I found a summer job disposing of mounted, dried seaweed specimens in the laboratory of a research facility on a university campus.
While taking inventory of a vast collection, something unexpected happened—a quiet “light bulb” moment.
I was struck by the intricate designs and rich colours of the dried seaweed. Each specimen was delicate, patterned, and completely unique. And a simple thought formed:
Wouldn’t this be beautiful mounted on linen paper and made into handmade cards?
From Observation to Creation
What began as curiosity quickly became a process.
I expanded my materials to include land‑based plants—grasses and tiny flowers collected on walks home from school. I pressed them between thick phone books. I sourced pre‑cut linen cards with matching envelopes from a factory. I learned how to emboss borders, apply soft pastel backgrounds, and carefully mount each dried specimen.
Some customers asked if greetings could be written inside the cards. That led me to learn calligraphy, practise refining my handwriting, and write greetings or short poems suited to different occasions.
Each card was different.
No two designs were ever replicated.
Before long, I was creating handmade birthday blessings, words of encouragement, and Christmas greetings—each one carrying time, care, and intention.
The Quiet Power of Creating Something Meaningful
The experience was deeply fulfilling.
Seeing the delight on customers’ faces when they collected their orders brought a quiet and lasting satisfaction. It taught me something important: beauty truly does lie in the eyes of the beholder.
Some designs I felt unsure about were often chosen instantly. Others drew people in slowly, as they watched how each card was made. Their faces would light up—not just at the finished product, but at understanding the process.
It became clear that creation isn’t only about the outcome.
It’s about connection—to ourselves, and to others.
Creativity as a Lifelong Companion
Today, creativity continues to play a vital role in my life.
It shows up in many forms:
handmade cards, bracelets, and special‑occasion giveaways; writing poetry and words of encouragement; floristry; journaling; gardening; small event decorating; co‑authoring a book; and contributing a published chapter available on Amazon.
The forms change over time—but the purpose remains the same.
Creativity is always a form of expression. It adds value not only to our own mental and emotional wellbeing, but also to the lives of those who receive what we create. It offers respite from the noise of the modern world and gently guides the mind toward mindfulness, gratitude, and appreciation.
The more time we spend in these spaces, the more beauty and meaning we notice in everyday life.
Here's a few examples of how I enjoy being creative:
Why Small Creative Acts Matter for Wellbeing
Accomplishing any creative endeavour—no matter how small—brings something powerful:
the quiet satisfaction of having created something meaningful.
Not perfect.
Not impressive.
Just meaningful.
In a world that often rewards productivity and speed, creativity offers something different. It slows us down. It anchors us. It reminds us that value doesn’t always need to be measured. It can be something as fun as trying a new recipe or prioritising your hobbies.
That’s why creativity matters—not just during Mental Health Awareness Month, but throughout life.
Listening for Your Own Creative Whisper
Creativity doesn’t usually arrive with fanfare.
It whispers.
It hints.
It nudges.
It invites.
Sometimes it appears when our hands are busy and our minds finally quiet. Other times it surfaces through necessity, curiosity, or simple enjoyment.
So the question isn’t whether you’re creative.
The question is:
Where does your creativity first whisper to you—and are you ready to listen?
