Playfulness. It is an intentional choice for me. I tend to be matter of fact, focused on the next task or planning the next thing; or given an hour of free time, you'll find my nose in a good book (reading female author Tana French now – she is ah-mazing, if murder mystery is your thing).
But the childhood I want to cultivate for my girls includes a playful mama. And since I’m not naturally wired that way, I make a choice each (ok, most) days to be playful.
Hide and seek, fort building, art projects, puppet shows, barbies, dress up, dance parties, nature walks. With two girls, aged 5 and 2, play is their fulltime job. Oh, the lessons I learn from them.
It’s amazing the effect of five minutes of pure play.
My wish for you, my friend, is to play. Whatever that means for you. Maybe it’s a salsa class at your local gym, grabbing a tub of neon pink playdoh for your desk, or creating story time for your niece or nephew.
Cheers to more play time, more connection, more laughter.
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If you really struggle with this, simply jam out to your favorite song by yourself, or with your kids, your dog, your partner. Or ask them to share their favorite song – yes, you, I know your pet has a fav! Be your own hype squad, circa 1999.