Play.
Just play.
Look, if you’re anything like me, I know you are someone with big dreams, big ambitions and are serious about your “serious goals” almost 100% of the time.
Wonderful. Keep the main thing the main thing.
However, now at 35, as a Husband & Father, I’ve come to learn and discover that being all tightly wound, hard charging and hyper efficient can be a one way ticket to burnout, boredom and massive stress/panic attacks.
I’ve had to learn this the hard way.
For example, I am a Type A individual, who loves working intensely. To be even more detailed, I love working out on my own, hitting the weights hard. I love going 130 miles per hour, getting stuff done, checking off my to do list, tackling one project and then lazering in on the next project.
However, from my experience, that all comes at a cost.
You see, our mind and body is like a rubber band. If you stretch the band too much it’ll rip. But if you stretch it enough it then release the tension you will be able to continue stretching the rubber band and releasing the tension, over and over and over again.
So if we push too hard in our lives we will also break, not physically break apart like a rubber band but we we will begin to break down, mentally, physically & spiritually.
Enter “play”.
Do you remember when you were a kid and you just went out and “played” freely?
Right, wasn’t it, uh, what’s that word again…
Yeah that’s right, “fun”.
As someone who vows to be “forever young” I love to play, have fun and spark joy in my life.
Something magical happens when I take a pause from strenous, focused “work” and intentionally connect with my inner child. I literally “act like a kid again”.
A BIG part of this has been in large part to my son. So for my son, Kundun, baby boy if you’re reading this. “Thank YOU from the bottom of my heart in helping me rekindle that long lost relationship with my inner child. It has positively impacted EVERY part of my life. I love you baby boy!”.
So, by acting like a child again, I feel lighter, more care free, I take life a lot less seriously.
In fact, for me, it’s a form of meditation in that I let go of all thoughts and just BE in the present moment.
Especially when running with my son or jumping on the trampoline with him at Urban Air I’m fully immersed in “PLAY”.
What are some ways we can play? Well, I thought you’d never ask (Peter Pan voice haha):
- Turn on your favorite song
- Dance to your favorite song
- Sing like your in the shower
- Play with a child
- Play with a dog
- Get out into nature and walk, jog or run.
- Play your favorite sport
- Hike your favorite trails
- Ski or snowboard
- Boogie board or surf
- Ride a bike through a very scenic route in nature
- Play the piano, violin, guitar, clarinet, trumpet or your favorite instrument
- Read that thrilling novel you’ve been
- Eat your favorite, preferably, “Cheat Meal” foods
- Indulge in your desires (or find a safer alternative, if you know what I mean)
- Travel to a different town, city, country, village.
- Go somewhere near you that you’ve always wanted to go or have never been to
- Do 1 thing that either scares you or excites you.
- LAUGH OUT LOUD. SO LOUD AND HARD THAT YOUR STOMACH HURTS! (Russell Peters does it for me HAHA!)
- Close your eyes and dream your wildest and biggest DREAM again.
- Meditate
- Yoga
- Just wiggle your body around in WEIRD ways to free up the tension in your body and just PLAY with your body (I wasn’t suggesting what you were thinking but hey I am a free thinker and love freedom so hey if playing with your body is something fun and relaxing for you then LET’S GO! DO IT!
- Go to the beach and listen to the ocean waves, let the breeze hit your face.
- Do something nice for someone.
How does it affect my work?
Well, it has allowed me to return to my work in a more playful, joyful, recharged and re-energized state of mind, body, and soul. My SOUL is actually A LOT more YOUTHFUL. Meaning I see joy, fun, possibility and curiosity in everything.
I urge you to give a try if you’re in a phase of your life riddled with anxiety, depression, anger, stress, fatigue, burnout, etc.
It very well maybe the unlock for you to fall back in love with your work and life again. It has for me.