A Vox Culture explainer argues that rediscovering creativity can begin with three simple steps, even for adults who feel they have drifted from playful habits. The piece draws on toy designer Cas Holman, author of Playful, who says the impulse to play survives into adulthood, though it changes with responsibilities and routines. It also cites Yale psychologist Zorana Ivcevic Pringle and Wharton professor Katy Milkman, who describe how pursuing a hobby can spark creative thinking and carry into other areas of life.
Holman says the play instinct is still there. We all became who we are through play, and we can still connect to that play from childhood. But also, there is a play inside of us that has evolved with us and will look and feel different than the play did when we were children. Pringle notes that drawing can reduce feelings of sadness and anger, and she adds that you can notice, This is doing something for me emotionally, Pringle says. Milkman emphasizes that the activity should be fun and have a personal hook, noting that, Whatever makes something more fun for you tends to make you more motivated to keep doing it, and that the best approach is measuring whether it has a personal charm or hook. She adds that, Is it fun and alluring, and does it have a hook for you personally? That question is different for every person. Gamifying the activity can help you stick with it, especially if it’s an activity you already enjoy. When life gets hectic, remind yourself that you’re carving out time for this because it matters to you. Start with that sense of identity, Pringle says, Because we do those things that are important to who we are as people, we can begin to design time around them.
First, tap into your history and interests. Motivation tends to spike at the start of a new project and then wane; choosing activities you genuinely liked as a kid makes it more likely you’ll persist. Milkman notes that motivation thrives when the activity feels fun and has a personal hook, and Holman adds that even simple nostalgia—singing in the shower or car, or casually doodling—can reinforce the habit. The idea is not to chase perfection but to preserve the sense of fun that drew you to creativity in the first place. If you’re resuming an old hobby, don’t fret about technical skill; progress, not perfection, builds confidence, Pringle says, and confidence keeps you going.
Second, keep it low pressure. You don’t need unscheduled hours or a studio to be creative. Look for moments in daily life to spark imagination—imagine backstories for people you see on a commute, or doodle after dinner on scrap paper. Holman says, It’s not about the outcome. It’s about sitting for a moment and doodling and playing with the colors. It can be demoralizing to expect craft-level proficiency right away, so give yourself permission to experiment. Pringle cautions that tying creativity to external rewards or money can shrink the space for exploration, while Milkman suggests that small, personal goals—like a 30-day challenge or a tiny, enjoyable habit—can maintain momentum.
Third, free yourself from shoulds. Holman argues that play isn’t something you master; it can be woven into everyday life and, paradoxically, make other tasks feel easier because you’re more authentically yourself. Prize the process over the product, and resist the urge to monetize every hobby. If you can loosen the rules and allow for play to be its own reward, you’ll create room for discoveries that extend beyond the hobby itself. Pringle echoes this by noting that creativity often requires fewer constraints and rules, not more.
Taken together, the Vox piece frames rekindled creativity as a practical, repeatable practice rather than a radical reboot. Researchers say the unstructured, exploratory thinking fostered by a hobby can spill into other areas of life, potentially driving breakthroughs at work. But experts also caution that turning every pastime into a side hustle can pressure you to perform rather than explore, which may close off avenues for genuine creative growth. If you’re seeking a manageable way to boost imagination, starting from what you loved as a child, keeping the practice light, and resisting immediate monetization can help keep the flame alive and connected to who you are today.