10 signs of a creative person

Me and the supportive husband, @saltairemakersfair

10 Signs of a Creative Person

The Paradoxes That Make Creative Minds Tick (Especially in Midlife and Beyond)

I’ve spent my life in creative spaces , teaching, making, mentoring and now, at 65, I’m embracing a new chapter. I’m turning my hands (and heart) toward something quieter, more personal, and joyfully imperfect.

This isn’t about retiring. It’s about reimagining.

If you’re a woman in midlife or beyond, wondering if it’s too late to rekindle your creativity , I can tell you: it isn’t. The creative spark doesn’t vanish with age. It evolves. And often, it burns brighter when we finally give ourselves permission to follow it. I’ve recently reinvented myself as a ceramic artist, specialising in porcelain jewellery. After a successful first maker’s fair, @saltaireinspired. I now have more confidence to persue something I thought had escaped me.

Here are ten signs you might be one of us , a beautifully creative soul, full of paradoxes that just might be your superpower.

1. You crave solitude but hate feeling lonely.

At this stage in life, space to reflect feels essential. But connection matters too. I’m building a business that offers both , solo making time and shared, gentle community.

2. You’re a perfectionist who thrives on imperfection.

In my past life as an educator, precision mattered. Now, I’m falling in love with wobbles, uneven edges, and golden traces. It’s the flaws that hold the feeling.

3. You feel everything… and nothing… all at once.

Some days, I’m full of energy and vision. Others, I feel stuck or invisible. That’s part of it. Creative living isn’t a straight line , it’s a rhythm. I’m learning to trust the quieter moments too.

4. You’re wildly curious but easily overwhelmed.

I want to try all the things, from coaching and ceramics to blog posts and new tools. But I’m also learning to slow down, honour the pace I need, and choose wisely.

5. You alternate between chaos and intense focus.

My desk is still a mess some days. But give me clay, ink, a pen and a quiet hour, and I’m transported. The magic happens when we stop apologising for how we work best.

6. You’re deeply intuitive… and deeply self-critical.

This one runs deep. For years I encouraged others, now I’m learning to be that kind to myself. I still hear the doubts, but I’m moving anyway.

7. You dream big but fear being seen.

Launching a new (very small) business in your sixties isn’t for the faint-hearted. But here I am, making, sharing, coaching and reminding myself (and others) that visibility can be soft, not shouty.

8. You make meaning out of everything.

A porcelain fold. A sea-washed colour. A quiet Sunday walk. I create because I see stories everywhere. Maybe you do too.

9. You start too many things… but they all lead somewhere.

Half-finished sketchbooks, saved Pinterest boards, abandoned business ideas, they’re not failures. They’re compost. They nourish what’s blooming now.

10. You can’t not create.

Even when I’m tired. Even when it’s hard. Making gives my days shape. It connects me to myself, to others, and to something quieter and deeper than words.

Does this sound like you too?

Maybe you’re not starting over, but starting from experience. Maybe you’ve always been creative but lost the thread for a while.

Either way, you are not too late, too old, too messy, or too unsure.

I’m building a space, through workshops, mentoring , and quiet inspiration, for women like us. Women with full lives and full hearts. Women with stories in their hands.

👇 Tell me, which of these paradoxes resonate with you? I’d love to hear in the comments or connect over a cuppa and a create.