Rediscovering Play 🙃

At the start of 2024, I decided to follow the trend of choosing a single word to guide my year. My word? Play.

For me, play is about bringing fun, laughter and experimentation into everyday life – a deliberate attempt to balance out the many responsibilities that come with work, family and adulthood. My progress has not been linear and there's still scope for me to be even more playful, but ten months on, I’m loving the new lightness and energy this focus on play brings to my life.

Why Play Matters

As adults, it’s easy to get stuck in routines and lose the spontaneity we had as children. I chose play as an antidote to the structure and seriousness of everyday responsibilities, and simply to bring a smile to my face. I see this with my clients, too; we often neglect fun in favour of productivity and feel guilty about setting aside time for ourselves. But PLAY IS ESSENTIAL – it gives us energy, boosts creativity, and enhances our well-being.

This year, I’ve noticed that even small pockets of play can create a big difference. Making time for a weekly date night with my husband, for example, has been a simple but impactful way to reconnect and have fun. Some weeks, it’s just a walk or a quick drink; other weeks, we try something new, like a gallery or an outdoor activity. These moments remind me that play doesn’t have to be grand – it just needs to be intentional.

Bringing Play Into Work

Another revelation has been that play can be part of my professional life, too. After connecting with a successful coach here in Madrid who emphasises curiosity and fun, I’ve tried to bring a lighter approach to my work. Hosting my first webinar and sharing my face more on social media, for instance, were experiments that pushed me out of my comfort zone and brought a surprising sense of enjoyment.

Integrating play into my work doesn’t mean being unprofessional; it’s about allowing room for creativity and embracing a more spontaneous, flexible mindset. I encourage my clients to do the same – to see challenges from a fresh angle and make work feel a little less rigid. In fact, this energy is something I aim to bring into my coaching sessions, showing that personal growth doesn’t have to be all serious and heavy.

Ideas to Be More Playful

If you’re looking to incorporate more play into your own life, start small. Here are a few ideas that have worked for me or that I’m eager to try:

Try something creative: Whether it’s book folding, painting, cooking or sewing, exploring a new hobby can really shake things up. For me, a Friday morning workshop at Holly Albert’s studio is the perfect way to disconnect and experiment - Holly is a talented British artist based in Madrid who teaches even the most uncreative amongst us to produce artistic masterpieces!

Shift your routine: If your days feel repetitive, even a small change – like switching up your breakfast or taking a new route on your morning walk – can make life feel fresher and more open.

Inject play into your day every day: Look for little opportunities for fun. Play a song you love while you're putting your makeup on, have a five-minute dance break or leave a note for a loved one.

Let yourself say “yes” more: This doesn’t mean overcommitting but rather giving yourself permission to explore new activities or accept an invitation you’d usually turn down. Play is often about being open to the unknown.
 
By inviting play into our lives, we allow ourselves to experience more freedom and joy, even amid the hustle and bustle of life. So, what’s one playful thing you’ll do this week? Send me a message through the contact form – I’d love to hear your ideas!

And if your idea of play involves trying something new, then check out my post from last month: Doing Something For the First Time? 🍒