When’s the last time you remember playing? Not childhood playing necessarily, but enjoying yourself without any expectations?
After all, that’s what playing is – doing something that brings us joy without expecting a product or specific outcome.
It didn’t dawn on me just how long it had been since I played until I played on Tuesday and realized just how long it had been! Not only did I have a hoot, but I was reminded to take life less seriously.
Look. I’m all for living by my core values and doing life on purpose, but that doesn’t mean I must take everything so seriously! Playing to have a good time can be enough reason to do something.
As a former preschool teacher, I know first-hand the value of play. I’ve read the research and designed lessons that foster play because I believe play is the ultimate teacher.
Play develops creativity, resilience, and problem-solving skills. More importantly, play better represents our dynamic lives outside of school.
Healthy risk-taking, spontaneity, and joy are just a few of the resulting dispositions that come with quality play, and who doesn’t want those things?
Why can we recognize the value of play for preschool kids but not adults? Are adults too old to reap the benefits? I think not.
Yesterday, I played. Not on the floor with blocks and certainly not on a jungle gym, but with ink and paper. There was no purpose, desired outcome, or end product. I just pulled out my neglected fountain pens, bottles of ink, and reams of Tomoe River paper and gave myself the freedom to do whatever I wanted. I didn’t worry about wasted time or wasted materials. I just played.
It’s sad to admit that it was the most fun I’ve had in a long time. And it wasn’t sad because it took so little to bring me joy but because it illuminated the reality of my mind: I had forgotten how to play and the value it offers.
The past few years have been heavy, and it wasn’t until I took a moment to step off the hamster wheel of adulting, and give myself permission to play, that I remembered something somewhat profound – simple but profound:
Life is hard enough without also deferring opportunities for play.
The truth is, our happiness is enough reason to take a break from the seriousness of life. It’s okay, even healthy, to goof off a bit! When your spirits are lifted, you cause a ripple effect of joy, and everyone you come in contact with is better off because you’ve had some fun.
Get messy! Experiment! Make mistakes! Just make sure that whatever you choose to play, you allow joy to be your purpose.
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