Without the benefit of research, hard data, or information from “the experts,” my son answered and solved in a brief conversation all the reasons taking time to play is necessary to our hearts, minds, spirits.
Play is a topic many people laugh off as fluffy, aspirational, something only kids do, or a luxury for the privileged few. It’s top of mind for me this week as I’m on vacation with my family and strongly debated if I should take the time to write this week’s newsletter.
While I considered the question, I ran to the pool to play catch with my family for a few hours. In that time I realized the newsletter had already written itself. What follows below is a conversation between me and my son, who I’ll refer to as J.
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J: Mom! I thought you needed to work. Cool! You’re gonna play with us!?!Me: Yep! I got stuck on a problem and thought this would help me clear my head while hanging out and kicking your butts at Keep Away!
J: Yeah, right! But, you know mom, it IS super important for everyone – even grownups – to take breaks and have fun.
Me: Why do you think it’s so important to have fun?
J: Well…there are lots of different kinds of fun. There’s playing ball fun. Hanging out with friends fun. Legos fun. Drawing fun. Watching Netflix fun. Oh, and thinking fun.
Me: Huh. Which of those are more or less important than others, and why?
J: They’re all important. Just different. Pretty much all of them help me disconnect from the world, and focus on the moment. What’s going on right now. They help me forget things I’m worried about. And, by the time I’m done playing, whatevever it was doesn’t seem so bad.
Me: That is SUCH an amazing insight. What else does playing do for you?
J: You know, it normally makes me want to play more. And, sometimes the stuff I do when I’m drawing, or being creative, helps me think about how I can do other things better. Or…maybe…different.Me: What happens if you – or me, or dad – don’t take time to play?
J: I think it makes you super stressed and sleep deprived. Then EVERYTHING starts to feel like work. Even the fun stuff. Like how you were before you left your giant company and big job.
Me: Wow. That’s what you saw and felt?
J: Mom. Seriously, mom? That’s what everyone saw and felt. But you’re all better now. You’re fun again. So. Are we done?
Me (with a smile): Thanks, kiddo. Gimme a hug.
*****
Just like that, my son distilled thousands of pages of research into a few convesational comments. What struck me most was his observation that there are consequences to NOT having fun. And how matter-of-factly spotted them in me. Including how quickly I’ve recovered. Whew!
I hope you read this article, put down your device, and go do something fun. Me? I’m heading to the pool for round two of Keep Away!
