How to Play Again
As adults, many of us have lost the innate sense of wonder, joy, and creativity that we had in childhood. Time passes and we forget how to play. Being able to access that part of ourselves might feel impossible when the world feels so heavy. Or maybe our childhoods were tough, and we felt like we never had opportunities to just be a kid. But the good news is, it's entirely possible to reclaim that childlike sense of playfulness, no matter how old you are.
Revisit your favorite childhood activities
What did you love to do when you were younger? Or, if you don’t have found memories of your childhood, what did you wish you could do as a child? Did you always want to sign up for an art class? Did you love swimming? Start by identifying what you used to love and seeing if there are opportunities to engage with those activities as an adult.
Use your imagination
I see imagination as the one form of play we are most likely to allow ourselves as adults. Dream about your future goals and allow yourself time and space, alone or in conversation with others, to visualize this future. Make a vision board collage or even a virtual Pinterest board to illustrate your dreams.
Stay present
We’re all in the habit of zoning out, thinking about responsibilities, or just checking the unimportant notifications on our phones. As a child, we didn’t have those distractions, and they can remove us from our playful state pretty quickly and mindlessly. Try to be intentional about staying in the moment and keep your phone out of sight.
Let go of perfection
Play is not about perfection! As adults, we can be so quick to judge and critique our work, which eliminates the entire purpose of the activity. Does it matter if your cookies came out a bit dry when you enjoyed making the dough? Is it okay if you messed up the choreography if you had fun in the dance class?
Add creativity and fun to routine
If engaging in a whole new activity feels tough right now, see if there are ways that you can add some play and fun to your daily routines. Can you make your breakfast in the shape of a smiley face? Can you pick up pretty leaves while you’re walking the dog? Can you listen to your favorite childhood album while brushing your teeth?
It can make such a difference to integrate the delight of childhood into our adult experiences. By adding more play and creativity, we can access some of the wonder and joy that we’ve carried with us from childhood.
