Wanna Play?
I’m talking knees skidding in the dirt, torso strapped to an inverted rollercoaster, shoulders squared to the tee, body covered in foam… whatever it is that sets your heart skipping, adrenaline soaring, and laughter bubbling kind of play.
If you’re scratching your head trying to remember the last time that happened, then consider this issue your personal permission slip.
Look… we all love hearing the cackling, giggling, and uninhibited screams of joy from children playing. So why do we deny ourselves that pleasure? Choosing work and responsibility over freedom and fun. Yawn.
What if, instead, we tap into play as a way to enhance our life experiences, our professions, our relationships, and our family lives altogether? Who wouldn’t like to experience more moments of lightness and freedom in our days, right? Plus, what’s so fantastic about playing as an adult is that it’s very much a case of each-to-their-own. What works for you may infuriate someone else, and that’s perfectly acceptable. No trips to HR required. It’s all about doing what you enjoy for an extended period, so you can briefly forget about the world around you.
For Publisher Jamie Mark (and not-coincidentally soccer star David Beckham), it’s Legos. For Stephen Herron, it’s throwing outrageous foam parties. For Derek and Ashley Anderson, it’s giant yard games. For Kim Drury, it’s pickleball. For Kat O’Brian, it’s exploring play as an indoor sport.
The most important point being—the choice is yours.
Personally, I have many go-to activities that give me the rejuvenating boost and balance I need. Live music. Paddleboarding the Springs. Sweating my way through a spin class or trail ride. Hiking switchbacks and slot canyons. Swimming with whale sharks. Dating. Lord, give me strength.
This month, I challenge you to engage in at least one new playful activity. Take a chance. Say yes to something that scares you. You may be surprised by which activity sparks the most pleasure. It might not always be obvious—who knew we could have so much fun playing pickleball, painting with lemurs, and smashing bottles in a fit of rage? But we did, and we are all the better for it.
Heather Anne Lee
Editor
