Getting your spark back
“Recs for getting your spark back?”
14 answers from 14 people · Updated Nov 2, 2026
Kate Berlant told me to read this book on @Poog Podcast and it literally changed my life. Quit my job and opened a store! My bff and I read it aloud to each other on a trip to Tuscany (bliss). It’s basically the TLDR version of every book jungian analyst James Hollis has ever written— each chapter is like 4 pages long and you’re only allowed to read one chapter a day. The actual truths of life that are too inconvient for grift-y self help books. The ONLY man I trust!
926
I’ve read so much self-help, and I think this book is the only one that I recommend that people come back and later thank me for. I’ve even had someone I recommended it too forget and recommend it to me later. It’s just motivating months later which I think is the hard part of trying to evolve. Eventually, you lose the courage or the why. And there’s no better reminder than being more conscientious of time passing. Also, I am sorry you are going through this. When I had my last break-up, a friend went to a used bookstore and bought me her favorite books. She took me to a Korean spa and explained why she chose each one… and we both read. And I can’t help but think how much I wish I could do that for someone else. Maybe you might want to? It’s nice to return to what makes you happy… and there’s no better way to get out of your own head than to think of how to make someone else happy who deserves your love. Also, retail therapy.
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22 recs
breaking free from algorithms, slowing down, returning to things i forgot i loved
Pick a new hobby and commit to being bad at it
Seriously. I was depressed, empty, burnt out, uninspired, and bland. I talked about it in therapy often. My therapist told me to pick something I could do for just me. No one would need to know or see it. So it could be really bad. I kept mentioning I wanted to learn how to do Lino prints. So I bought some basic supplies and started. It was the beginning of finding my spark back. I made mistakes, had big flops, but I also made something with my own two hands. It was an incredibly physical process. It was repetitive and cathartic and healed my nervous system enough to find joy and creativity back. Your spark isn’t gone for good. It just needs some more kindling to make it grow into a brilliant roaring flame. Rooting for you. :)
61
i believe this author has since updated her work and branding, but this book/workbook changed my life. reordered how i think about should, could and would. it’s a very fun exercise that makes life planning much less about being a productive member of society with money and more about you.
254
Big Leap, The: Conquer Your Hidden Fear and Take Life to the Next Level
since we all reach our upper limit and this book gives you a new perspective on your glass ceilings. we reach a new goal, and it suddenly does not feel good, but why? the book gives an answer and how to break through our comfort zone. it's a book that changes you on a deeper level and let you reach new heights <3 it's helped me a lot!
5
Teaching a free class on something you love
On a whim, I decided to try and host a class at the local lesbian bar about one of my favorite grandma hobbies (scoring a baseball game) and it was so fun and my heart felt so full. Why not host something for your community? Why not feel better than you have in ages?
472
productive rest sounds like an oxymoron but there’s truth to it. i’ve been struggggling with burn out this month and my normal rest routines haven’t been working. ive turned to the rest wheel on many occasions to help me figure out what i actually need to unwind and de-stress
1515
Life-changing perspective read for when you feel stuck.
Madness, Rack, and Honey (Mary Ruefle)
This collection of lectures Mary Ruefle gave to her poetry students. This book changed my life because it made me want to think (and consider, and wonder, and mull over, and investigate, and articulate myself) in new ways, and I think it helped change my brain's pathways for the better. It changed the way I think of the moon and I've re-read her piece "My Emily Dickinson" many times and every time I gasp aloud at a certain part. If your library doesn't have it, try interlibrary loan!
8
Do the thing you loved to do most when you were 10
This practice is especially useful if you’ve grown out of touch with joy.
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