You too can reignite your creativity!
Last week, I spent an afternoon at a local high school talking with a group of creative writing students about what makes a good antagonist.
At first, they were polite and a little reserved. You could feel that quiet self-consciousness that hangs in the air when people aren’t sure what’s expected of them. But then something shifted. Once they realized they had permission to play—to let their imaginations run loose and see where the stories took them—the energy in the room changed.
Suddenly they were laughing, building on each other’s ideas, and creating outrageous villains with unexpected motives. What had started as a formal “class” turned into a lively exchange of imagination.
Reignite Creativity in a Playful Atmosphere
That’s what I love most about spending time with young people. They’re still close to that part of themselves that sees creativity as play. Once they’re given even a little permission, that spark comes right back to life.
As adults, it’s easy to forget that part of ourselves. We get busy. We learn to act “appropriately.” We trade curiosity for efficiency and start believing that play is something for kids. But the truth is, play never stops being essential. It just gets buried under responsibility.
Studies have found that adults who remain playful report higher well-being and life satisfaction, and that creative thinking can fade with age unless we keep using it. The research backs up what those students reminded me of: creativity thrives on freedom, laughter, and the willingness to experiment.
Reignite Creativity at Home
So this week, maybe give yourself a bit of that permission too.
Do something simply because it’s fun—dance to music in your kitchen, draw something ridiculous, or tell a story that makes you laugh. It doesn’t have to mean anything or lead anywhere. It’s enough that it wakes something up.
That high school class reminded me that imagination isn’t something we lose—it’s something we stop visiting. And it’s always waiting for us to come back.