Think back: when was the last time you PLAYED?
I don’t mean a spirited round of golf. Or your weekly baseball team’s game.
I mean purely playing, running around like a ten-year-old, completely unconcerned with how your hair looked, or who was watching.
Over the past two years I’ve spent some good quality time with my friend Kris Beauchesne. One of the key pillars in her consulting business is using play as a team-building exercise. And she’s told me how different people become once they allow themselves to play, to shed their self-consciousness and just be. And run around. And shout. And laugh.
I’ve seen the quote in the following image many times:
I think it’s absolutely true. Too often I see people (and sadly, particularly women) who won’t let themselves enjoy a moment of playfulness because “someone might be watching.” And because that’s not what “grown ups do.”
Years ago I took my nephew to an indoor play park called Cosmic Adventures. I think I was the only woman actively playing there with the other children. To me, it was a wonderful chance to spend time with my nephew. To laugh, be silly, and let’s be honest, to get some exercise. Climbing those rigs is serious business.
I looked down at the moms there with their kids. Nearly all of them were busy on their phones.
I don’t understand when this happens but it does. Certainly in our society there comes a point where running around just isn’t “ladylike” anymore. And goodness gracious, it certainly isn’t mature or adult-like!
My nephew has taught me the importance of play. How fun it is to make believe and pretend we’re fighting dragons. And maybe, just maybe, get a little sweaty and dirty. In a good way.
Last week I found a great video on Instagram (I don't know how to post it here, but you can find it through this account: @shammi_ltd). I absolutely love that these men sit around in the rain ASKING for drivers to splash them. Not a care in the world. Just wild cheering when someone complies.
Personally, I’m not giving up on playing and being silly. I know I’m a mature, tough, tax-paying adult when I have to be. But the rest of the time I won’t pass up a chance to blow some bubbles in my backyard. Or play “hide-and-seek” with my husband when appropriate. Sometimes when he comes upstairs looking for me I hide. I’m on the smallish side, so I fit into weird spots. And I hear him saying, “ah, my wife is hiding on me. Where could she be?” When he does find me we laugh a lot.
I hope this post will inspire you to shed your cares (for 10 minutes) and let loose. Who knows. You might just have a great time and release some endorphins.