The best days of my life were my childhood days. Life was so simple then, stripped of the complications of technology and soap opera-inspired drama. All a child needed to thrive was having these four basic needs met: food, shelter, clothing and play. I could say with absolute certainty that, luckily, I was one kid who had all these needs satisfied. Although I may have been on the waifish side, I was never lacking in play.
I couldn’t care less about getting my skin burned to a crisp as I spent hours under the sun. If I wasn’t out on the streets, playing skipping rope with the neighborhood posse, I was diving and splashing at the village pool. When the homework was done, I’d grab a quick snack and once again convene with the neighborhood kids for a session of role-playing games. We’d play teacher-student or husband-wife-with-kids.
And then this question begs to be recognized: Do I still play as an adult?
Since it may seem awkward- maybe even ghastly- to see a woman in her late thirties take to the streets and jump up and down on a skipping rope (bobbing breasts, notwithstanding!), I have chosen other alternatives to play.
After a long and tiring day at work, I sometimes pick up the guitar and play a few ditties. Alice Cooper would’ve been proud. On days when I don’t feel so musically inclined, I instead try to do a bit of yoga. When inspired, I write. These days, anything that’s relaxing is play to me. Going on Facebook, by the way, hardly qualifies as relaxing (just a side note!).
We all know that all work and no play makes for a dull person. Find whatever it is that brings you joy and indulge yourself. The last thing you’d want to be is dry and lifeless.
