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How to be more Playful…
Most people think being playful is not that important. It is seen as something frivolous and unnecessay. Afterall, life is something to be take seriously, right?
We have jobs and obligations, and after all the necessities are taken care of all there is little time left for play.
But have you ever noticed that some of the most successful people in life aren’t that serious?
I remember the first time I watched the Beatles movie, “A hard Day’s Night.”
Here were these grown men acting absolutely ridiculous, sliding down hills, making weird music… And they were rolling in money and success.
Something in me clicked… I thought about all the people I knew living serious lives and doing what they were supposed to do. All them were stressed out most of the time!
I was only a teenager at the time and I didn’t really have that many responsibilities, but when I saw that movie I resolved in myself that I would never be a “normal adult.”
I wanted to be someone that had fun no matter how old I was, because what is the point of living if you are bored all the time?
Being playful not only makes life more fun and enjoyable. It also optimizes the brain for learning.
It is easy to see in animals. For instance, cats practice hunting by playing with each other.
I could go on and on about the benefits of being playful, but if you are reading this, chances are you’ve already decided that having fun in life is something worth cultivating, so here are 5 practical ways to be more playful no matter how old you are…
1) Set an Intention to be more Playful
Simply setting an intention is a great place to start adding more play into your life.
Decide that you want to have fun at times when you are not supposed to, such as when you’re working or performing errands.
Letting go of the idea that you can’t have fun in certain places opens up opportunities that you might not otherwise notice.
2) Make time to do things “Just for Fun”
Doing things just for fun can be a bit challenging at first. Afterall, so much of our days are usually filled with things we don’t actually want to do.
But doing something fun doesn’t have to be that extreme. It can be something as simple as stopping at a park on the way home from work.
In my free time, I love to go on random road trips to place I’ve never been before. Most of friends are musicians so we just set up on the streets and see what happens.
Whatever you decide to do, just make sure there is no goal of accomplishing anything or gaining any recognition.
3) Imagine yourself being more playful throughout the day.
Imagine yourself having fun at work or doing random errands.
Ask yourself, “What would a life full of play look and feel like? Embody the feeling of play. What would you do if you could just spend every day playing?
Let your imagination run wild!
I first learned how to do this in a book by Shakti Gawaiin called Creative Visualization, and it has made a huge difference in my life.
4) Incorporate a Hobby or Activity into your Life that puts your into a playful state
A surefire way to get into a playful state is to incorporate a hobby or activity into your life that you really enjoy doing. It doesn’t matter how silly it is.
For me, writing puts me into a state of play because I can literally create any scenario I want with characters.
Everyone is different though. For some, cooking is playful. It might take a little bit of experimentation, but that can be fun too!
5) “Consume” more Comedy and Silliness
Everything we consume becomes part of our energy. If you find that you are watching a lot of news or dramas, try adding a bit of comedy.
You’ll be surprised at how much it can change your energy throughout the day.
If you enjoy reading, look for books that are of a lighter nature.
I myself realized I was addicted to consuming drama and negativity. I admittedly still do indulge in it, I but make sure I add some comedy in the mix. It really helps lighten things up!
6) Follow through on Ideas no matter how Silly they seem
Do you ever find yourself in light hearted conversation where you just come up with silly ideas.
So many great ideas get birthed in playful conversations, and yet very few people follow through with them.
Why not actually do some of them and see what happens? It doesn’t matter what the result is if following through on the idea is fun.
I hope you found these methods to add more play into your life helpful!
Just remember that no matter that there are always opportunities to be more playful if you look for them.
Need some Guidance in your journey….
I am a lifecoach specializing in happiness and life purpose.
Because I believe everyone’s needs and goals are different I offer as little or as many sessions as needed.
For a free 15 minute consultation email me at aglassofcheri@gmail.com