
Photo by Roman Melnychuk on Unsplash
Many people can relate to losing their spark, especially when transitioning to a completely new phase of their lives, which takes them away from a familiar environment. Learning how to get your spark back is not an easy thing to do, and it feels like you’re searching for a part of yourself that is long lost.
But, what if learning how to get your spark back is not about trying to become who you were before, but embracing who you are now, and connecting deeper with yourself?
This post is all about how to get your spark back and why you might have felt like you lost it in the first place.
Why do I feel like I lost my spark?
“I have always been an energetic and extroverted child, I don’t know what happened to me when I grew up”. I believe that I have probably heard this from at least five people in life, or at least something similar.
Reflecting on these conversations and my own experiences, I’ve noticed one common factor: lack of rest. It’s not about turning into a “boring adult”—it’s about constantly neglecting an entire hemisphere of your brain and a very important dimension in life: rest.
We’re conditioned as a culture to live entirely in our logical left brain hemisphere and this is the cause of a huge part of our societal problems, including burnout and feelings of disconnection, from ourselves and those around us.
As you might know, there are two sides of the brain: a left part that is more logical and prioritizes productivity, seeks control, and sees everything as separate, and there’s our right side that is focused on creativity and connection.
The way the world makes us think, conditions us to believe that leading or living life using your left brain hemisphere is what will bring you forward–make you successful.
How do you get your spark back when you’re constantly thinking about the next thing you’re going to achieve? When you’re all doing and not being and connecting?
The benefits that our left brain hemisphere adds to our lives are undeniable. Having control over your life, being able to think logically, rationalizing things, and bringing you closer to your dreams.
But the right brain hemisphere is far more intelligent–in its unique way. Connecting to your right brain hemisphere is the answer to how to get your spark back because it thinks creatively, intuitively, and holistically.
The right brain hemisphere sees us, individuals, as a part of a greater whole. As a society that is based on connection, and not individuals who all do is burn themselves for end goals that don’t guarantee happiness when there’s a whole world out there that is based on balance and interconnectedness.
Without the right brain leading, the left brain becomes overly controlling and not connected to reality, leaving us feeling detached from ourselves and those around us.
According to Laine McGrilchrist, a neuroscientist and psychiatrist, these are three ways how to get your spark back.
1. Somatic practices:
These are practices that bring you out of your mind and into your body. They help you connect with your physical sensations and release tension. That’s why a lot of people start crying when they go to activities like yoga or even simply stretching—since they have some tension in their body that gets released.
Some simple somatic practices include:
- Yoga or stretching
- Dancing freely to music
- Deep breathing exercises
- Mindful walking or tai chi
2. Creative practices:
any practice that brings out the creative side of you. The side that is curious and likes to explore instead of expecting a specific outcome. The side that plays instead of perfects and is genuinely curious about the world, not controlling.
Try these creative practices:
- Journaling without structure or rules
- Painting, sketching, or doodling
- Playing a musical instrument
- Writing poetry or short stories
- Engaging in DIY projects or crafting
The key is to let go of expectations. Allow yourself to create just for the sake of it, without worrying about the outcome.
3. Reconnecting with nature:
Simple yet life-changing. Whenever I feel like my problems or responsibilities are too much, I go out in nature and see how insignificant every problem is when compared to the size of the world. I see myself as a part of a greater whole and part of the nature around me, which has an instantly grounding and humbling effect.
Spending time in nature can be as simple as:
- Taking a walk in the park
- Sitting by a body of water
- Observing the trees, sky, or animals
- Gardening or tending to houseplants
Nature has an instantly grounding effect. It slows us down and reconnects us to the present moment, offering a sense of peace and clarity.
Finding yourself again
Getting your spark back is about learning how to have fun again—how to enjoy life outside of productivity and achievement. Think back to childhood, when your only goal was to explore, play, and be curious. That spark was never about external success; it was about the joy of simply experiencing life.
As adults, we need to cultivate a balance between the logical left brain and the intuitive right brain. We need structure, yes, but we also need creativity, play, and connection. By integrating somatic practices, creative outlets, and time in nature, we can rediscover our spark and reconnect with the joy of being alive.
So, what’s one small step you can take today to reconnect with yourself and bring back your spark?
Other posts you might like:
Why Feeling Lost at 25 is Completely Normal
7 Signs You Might be Addicted to Cortisol – Are You Caught Up in the Stress Trap?
Mindfulness at Work: Easy Practices for Staying Grounded During the 9-to-5
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