Ways to engage in play
In the last blog post about play, we explored the importance of play and why we, even as adults should make more time to engage in play. For this post, I want to share with you ways of engaging in play, maybe as a way to explore new ideas or to validate the ways in which you may already be subconsciously engaging in play. Before I get into that list, I want to invite you to try out the following exercise with me first…
Take a moment to pause -whether you are seated, standing or laying-try to pause whatever else you may be doing.
Close your eyes and take a full, deep breath.
And then take 3 more full, deep breaths as you ground further into your body.
Once you are done, take a moment to reflect on and maybe even visualize yourself as a child - really noticing and tapping into the energy of the “little you.” As you do, I invite you to think of this idea of play and notice any memories associated that come up. Maybe you remember games you enjoyed playing or activities that felt fun for you. There is no right or wrong answer, simply take the time to see if anything comes up for you.
You can grab a piece of paper to write them down - and let that becomes your list for ways in which you can engage in play.
Here are some other ideas and ways in which you can engage in play (that maybe you hadn’t thought about) :
running in the rain
grabbing a large canvas and pouring paint on it
building a sand castle on the beach
make a scrapbook of your summer
baking your favorite sweet treat
playing music as you sing and dance your heart out
set up a scavenger hunt with friends/loved ones
There are so so many ways of engaging in play, half of the battle is simply allowing yourself the permission to do so! So if you need the permission, here it is…
you are allowed to play - whatever and however that may look like for you
If you are looking for a virtual container to explore this idea of play, join me on Tuesdays at 2 PM via zoom for the Creative Journal Club where we will be exploring the theme of play (through art making) for the months of June and July. Click here to find out more and sign up for your first session FREE.
