So much of our health takes into account what we eat, how we rest, how we think and how to modify it. It’s all very serious business, the business of living. However, we as adults like to turn it into something very serious. We apply so much meaning to life, “good” and “bad” living, that we forget to take advantage of the moment, and to be silly and to play.
Some of you, of course, have completely turned off already, thinking;
“What the hell is she talking about?! I’d love to ‘play’ if I had a minute to myself to do something for myself, without thousands of things on my plate!”
I hear you. I myself have a busy schedule, but this isn’t a competition. It’s about all of us remembering that we get really tired as adults of the “roles” and “identities” we have created for ourselves. What about actually exploring what brings us happiness and joy?
Many people dislike their jobs, as an example. They are not sure exactly though what their passions or interests really are, because they spend a lot of time being responsible and just doing the job they have. Which is completely fine, but then we lose sight of who we are if we’re not honouring what we actually need, even if not just a little.
How we can find that of course, is by exploring. Playing a silly video game on your phone. Going to that free seminar on drumming and rhythm. Trying a new food. Going to karaoke and singing a song that you don’t know the words. Just playing and switching it up.
If you give yourself a few minutes each day to have the space to try something new, or read something different, your natural curiosity will keep growing. Trying something new can allow you to find what you actually like doing, or just to remind you that you’re not an “adult” but just a human exploring this world.
For those of you that are goal-oriented, finding play again helps to reduce your stress (both mentally, emotionally, and physically), it connects you to the playful nature of others around you, it helps you to make new friends, or get to know the friends and family you have in a more understanding way, it promotes growth…so not just for childhood, but our whole lives through!
So much of adulthood is about accepting things for what they are and learning to deal with that. Wouldn’t it be easier to deal if we also allowed ourselves to be ourselves, whomever that is? That also includes playing.
We don’t stop playing because we’re old; we grow old because we stop playing”
-George Bernard Shaw
Food for thought.