Play

Play is essential for learning, for mental flexibility, for relaxation and joy! Yet many people stop playing as they get older, under social pressure to leave childish things behind. Now is your chance to reawaken the childlike spirit within yourself to support wholeness and happiness. It’s okay to be silly sometimes, whether you’re fully grown or not! This challenge offers a chance to build mental and emotional resilience with the relaxation and creativity of play.

Habit:
Do something lighthearted and spontaneous
Take yourself less seriously

To Do:
Play inside (do a coloring sheet, draw a picture, play with toys, talk to your pets or stuffed animals)
Play outside (build a snowman or a sandcastle, make a fort, blow bubbles, draw with chalk)
Play a game offline (board game or card game)
Play a game on the computer
Tell the Guild what you enjoyed most!

Reflection:
This was a lot of fun, and came at a good time. Those dull, dark days of winter just beg to be lightened up with a little playfulness, and a spirit of play can enhance our closest relationships. I took the opportunity to go sledding, make art, have a snowball fight, and play a new word game on the iPad. I also worked to be more lighthearted about my responsibilities, and take things less seriously in my relationships. It was all a big breath of fresh air.

I first rediscovered the transformative magic of play in college, and this was a wonderful opportunity to remind myself of its importance. Having a young child in the house is great for this in some regards–I’m exercising my creativity almost daily–but I also need the reminder to claim some of that spontaneity for myself, in my adult life.