Rediscovering the Spark: Why Adulthood Doesn’t Have to Mean Losing Your Playfulness
Ever catch yourself staring at the ceiling, wondering where the hell your zest for life went? I’ve been there. Mid-30s, pink bathroom (check), weird cats (double check), but something’s missing. That childhood spark—the one that made everything feel like an adventure—seems to have fizzled out.
Personally, I think this is one of those universal adult struggles we don’t talk about enough. We’re told to grow up, be responsible, and suddenly, playfulness feels like a luxury we can’t afford. But what if I told you there’s a way to reclaim that spark without quitting your job or running away to join the circus?
Enter Austin Kleon, the guy who’s made a career out of reminding us that creativity isn’t just for kids. His latest book, Don’t Call It Art, isn’t your typical self-help manifesto. It’s more like a permission slip to be silly, to experiment, and to remember what it feels like to create for the sheer joy of it.
The Problem with Adulthood (and Why It’s Not Just You)
One thing that immediately stands out is how Kleon acknowledges the dullness of adulthood. He’s not some guru who’s never experienced a slump. He’s been there, staring at his own ceiling, wondering, “Now what?” What makes this particularly fascinating is his solution: look to kids. Not in a “let’s all regress to kindergarten” way, but as a reminder of how to approach the world with curiosity and fearlessness.
What many people don’t realize is that adulthood often trains us to prioritize efficiency over exploration. We stop playing because it feels unproductive. Kleon argues that this is exactly why we feel stuck. Play isn’t just for fun; it’s how we reconnect with our creativity, our passions, and ultimately, ourselves.
The Power of Being a Beginner
Kleon’s advice to “become a beginner” hit me hard. As adults, we’re expected to know things, to be competent. But what if we allowed ourselves to suck at something new? If you take a step back and think about it, that’s where the magic happens. It’s in the awkwardness of trying, the excitement of discovery, that we find our spark.
I tried his “daily playtime” challenge, and let me tell you, it was humiliating at first. Sitting at my long-neglected desk, surrounded by laundry and cat hair, I felt ridiculous. But that’s the point, Kleon says. Feeling silly is a sign you’re on the right track. It means you’re breaking free from the need to be perfect.
The Analogue Revolution
A detail that I find especially interesting is Kleon’s emphasis on analogue activities. In a world dominated by screens, he advocates for pen and paper, scissors and glue. His blackout poetry exercise, where you redact words from a newspaper to create something new, was a revelation. It was tactile, messy, and surprisingly liberating.
What this really suggests is that our digital lives, while convenient, can stifle our creativity. There’s something about the physical act of making that engages our senses in a way screens never can. It’s a reminder that creativity isn’t just about the end product; it’s about the process, the joy of getting your hands dirty.
The Art of Obsessing
Kleon’s encouragement to “find what you really, really like” feels like a radical act in a world that constantly tells us to diversify our interests. Remember being a kid and obsessing over dinosaurs or space or that one band? Kleon says we need to reclaim that intensity.
This raises a deeper question: why do we feel the need to be well-rounded adults? What if focusing deeply on one thing, no matter how quirky, is the key to feeling alive? I’ve started diving into ancient Egypt, inspired by Kleon’s owl obsession. It’s absurd, maybe a little childish, but it’s brought a sense of wonder back into my days.
Parenting Yourself (Without the Tantrums)
Kleon’s idea of “being your own parent” is both hilarious and profound. We’d never tell a child they don’t have time to play, yet we deny ourselves that same luxury. What if we treated ourselves with the same care and encouragement we’d give a kid?
This isn’t about indulging every whim, but about recognizing our needs. Play isn’t frivolous; it’s essential. It’s how we recharge, how we reconnect with our inner child, and how we keep our spirits alive.
Final Thoughts
Kleon’s message isn’t about becoming a professional artist or even creating anything groundbreaking. It’s about rediscovering the joy of making, of exploring, of simply being present in the moment.
Personally, I’m still figuring this out. Some days, playtime feels forced, and I’d rather scroll through Instagram. But I’m starting to see the value in those small, silly acts of creation. They’re reminders that life doesn’t have to be all work and no play.
So, wear the ridiculous apron, doodle like a five-year-old, and obsess over something completely random. Your inner child will thank you. And who knows? You might just find that spark you thought was lost forever.
