How to Get Your Creativity Back: Why We Lose It as Adults

Creativity level: so high I literally face-planted into the coloring book. 🙃

The other day, I stumbled on an old photo of myself as a toddler. Crayons clutched in my hand, coloring book open, and me fast asleep mid-doodle. I created until I literally couldn’t keep my eyes open. That picture reminded me of something important: we’re all born overflowing with creativity. It pours out of us so naturally, we don’t even think about it.

But somewhere along the way, most of us lose that freedom. And that’s why, as adults, so many of us ask: why did I stop being creative? And more importantly, how do I get that spark back?

Why We Lose Creativity as We Grow

As kids, our days were filled with imagination, but slowly, structure took its place. In school, we learned there was a “right” answer and a “wrong” one. Coloring "inside" the lines became a thing. Bit by bit, creativity was replaced with correctness.

And then came “adulting.” Work, family, bills, and endless to-do lists began to crowd out the space where creativity once thrived. Play and creativity, the very things that fed our imagination's became something that was last, or not even on our list of priorities.

At some point, we also started to look over our shoulder. We wondered if what we were making was “good enough,” or if someone else would think it was silly. That fear of judgment crept in quietly, but it was powerful. Suddenly, the sketchbook stayed closed, the words went unwritten, the song remained unsung.

And then came perfectionism. As kids, we didn’t care if our horse was purple or if our stick figures were wobbly. But as adults, we began to believe that if something wasn’t flawless, it wasn’t worth doing. We measured our creations against impossible standards, and instead of letting ourselves play, we stopped before we even started.

And so, little by little, that wide-open creative freedom faded.

The truth? That spark never really disappears. It’s still inside you — waiting to be uncovered.

How to Spark Creativity Again

If you’ve ever wondered how to be more creative as an adult, the answer is simpler than you think. It’s about giving yourself permission to explore again, even in small ways.

1. Start Small & Playful: Remember when you used to doodle in the margins of your notebooks? Start there again. Scribble. Rearrange a shelf. Add a splash of color somewhere unexpected. Small steps rekindle that creative flame.

2. Make Time for Wonder:Think of how, as a child, you could get lost staring at the clouds. Give yourself that gift again. Step outside, look at the sky, listen to the rustle of leaves. Creativity often begins with noticing.

3. Release the Outcome: As kids, we didn’t care if our horse was purple or our song was off-key. Try creating without expectation. Paint messy. Write freely. Dance like no one’s watching. Creation doesn’t need an audience.

4. Reconnect with Childhood Joys: Ask yourself: What did I love doing as a child? Then do it. Build a fort. Sing loudly. Finger paint. Let your inner child play.

5. Surround Yourself with Creative Energy:Join a workshop, try a new hobby, or spend time with people who create. Inspiration spreads like wildfire, just like laughter.

   
   

Creative Exercises for Adults

If you’re ready to reconnect with your creativity, try one of these simple practices this week:

• Doodle for five minutes — no rules.

• Write a short poem or story without editing.

• Try a new recipe and add your own twist.

• Rearrange a space in your home for fresh energy.

• Play music you love and move your body.

• Go outside and take photos of patterns, colors, or shapes you notice.

✨ That little girl with crayons scattered at her side wasn’t worried about perfection. She just created until her eyes closed. That same spirit still lives within you.

So go ahead, pick up the crayon, the brush, the pen. Invite creativity back in, not as a duty, but as a joyful return to yourself.

And when you do, I’d love to hear about it. Share your heart exercise, doodles, or creative sparks with me — tag me on Instagram @mypeacefulheartart and use #LivePeaceGivePeace so we can inspire one another. Your creativity might just be the nudge someone else needs to rediscover their own. ✨