Why Play is Trending
"Play is something done for its own sake," he explains. "It's voluntary, it's pleasurable, it offers a sense of engagement, it takes you out of time. And the act itself is more important than the outcome."
– Dr. Stuart Brown, National Institute for Play
Why is everyone talking about play? I asked myself this question a few months back when the California tour started taking shape. Three different retreats in 3 different cities, with 3 women who did not know each other…and yet..all of their events had this similar thread. Play.
Part of me was resistant.
Part of me is still resistant if I’m being completely honest. Not because I don't totally love to be silly and have fun, but because I really believe in doing deep work with people. I like the long soulful chats I have with my clients. I like helping people dream. I like helping people thrive in business. I like helping them connect to their own spirituality.
But play?
Well, I guess I don't really teach play. It’s more of a way of being for me. My work is play. My interactions with friends are all playful. Even the way I coach can sometimes come across as playful. In fact, play just for the sake of play actually sounds super fun to me.
You see, I looovveeee talking about success and impact and results. I love business chat! Nothing gets me spicier! But sometimes, we don't need more numbers. Sometimes we don't need to push harder or manifest better.
Sometimes the most potent medicine I prescribe to my clients…is play.
And I'll be honest, most of them have much more resistance to this homework assignment than any other one. Sometimes we spent months healing the play wound. (I think the play wound is probably pretty closely related to the witch wound honestly.)
Do you have an aversion to play?
Many of my private clients get frustrated when I tell them to go play. They would rather I tell them to delete their website and rebuild it from the ground up. Why is that?
Our society doesn't see value in play.
We’ve been taught to work hard and be serious – a little too demure.
And yet, play is where insights happen.
Play is where healing happens.
Play leads us to purpose and purpose leads us to joy and fulfillment.
In our never ending quest for impact, success and personal expression, play is paramount. Without play we’re just recreating the same stuffy society we’re trying to escape from now.
So what about you? If I were to tell you to leave your computer, or phone or tablet, right now and go outside and dance barefoot while Miley Cyrus’ “Party in the USA” blares from your speakers, how would you react? Do you automatically resist the invitation? Does your body seize up? Do you feel irritated?
Don’t judge yourself, just take note of what comes up for you.
What science says about play:
An article from Psych Central says this about play in adults:
Play boosts your overall well being
Play increases your sense of hope and appreciation
Play increases your creativity
Playful adults report lower stress levels
Play increases your physical health and natural desire to exercise
Even though your logical brain is telling you that play is a waste of time when you could be productive, the science actually says otherwise. Play is purposeful. There’s no arguing that play is essential for the development of children, yet as an adult; aren't you still developing too? If you’re interested in personal development, try play.
Play vs. Flow
Dr. Stuart Brown is head of the National Institute for Play. He says play is made up of these five things:
Play is something done for its own sake,
It's voluntary
it's pleasurable
it offers a sense of engagement, it takes you out of time.
The act itself is more important than the outcome.
If you’ve attended any of my workshops in the past you may have heard me talk all about flow. Being in that timeless, spaceless place within yourself where challenge and engagement meets true joy and satisfaction. Csikszentmihalyi, author of “Flow: The Psychology of Optimal Experience”, says flow is “a state in which people are so involved in an activity that nothing else seems to matter.”
I know I quickly drop into that state when I’m painting or writing.
When do you feel that way?
Play is an effortless bridge into the state of flow.
If the meaning of life is joy, play seems like a pretty good vehicle to find meaning.
My personal invitation for you today is to make play your new practice.
Peaceful Prompts ✍️
How can you invite more playfulness into your day today?
What’s one activity that you loved to play as a child but haven't done in years? Can you make space for that activity this week? Maybe you want to call up some girlfriends to join you! Maybe you want to include your kids or your partner. Be open to what feels fun and engaging to your senses.
Using Dr. Brown’s definition of play, what do you routinely do that is 1. done for its own sake 2. Voluntary 3. pleasurable, 4. offers a sense of engagement and 5. takes you out of time?
P.S. Here are a few ways you can practice play with me this fall…
Ways to practice play with me:
Cali Tour
-Join us for PlayFest, a 1.5 day SF Bay Area retreat featuring 6 speakers and 6 kinds of play to help you create more freedom (& joy!) in all areas of your life. All humans 18+ welcome. Pssst…tickets are on sale TODAY and the first 20 come with a special discount!
-👀Looking for a tribe of women who will hold up mirrors so you shine even brighter?!? Join us on 9/21/2024 for our 3rd annual Celebrate-You-Palooza! Tickets available NOW!
-Let Go and Flow Retreat - Join us for a rejuvenating women’s retreat this fall with Mountain Om Yoga. Step away from your busy life and reconnect with yourself in a serene garden setting. Get your calm, here.
-Dream Big “Play”shop (Virtual Event) 8.28.2024
Slow down. Dream big. Get clear. Connect with your inner most desires and begin the manifestation playlist in this interactive virtual event. The Dream Big “Play”shop is happening 8.28 at 10am PST.
Get $7 off with promo code “CaliReady24” save your seat here!