DAY THREE of our 29 Days of Self-Care:
Play.
When was the last time you unabashedly played without care, stress, worry or insecurity? Why is this important for our self-care?
Most of us are lucky enough to have had play incorporated into our childhoods. Park grounds, hide and seek, laser tag showdowns, schoolyard games. At some point though, somewhere around our teen years, we abandon the idea of 'play' as immaturity. Uncool behavior. Childish.
Fast forward into our adult lives, and we are entirely consumed by responsibilities, stress, and obligations. The notion of play becomes utterly foreign to us. To-do lists, work projects and general 'adulting' kick into high gear and years fly by before we realize that we don't even know HOW to play anymore. We get insecure or unsure of the idea of even attempting to re-learn how to play.
Why is it that we give ourselves (or others) such a hard time about being playful or child-like in our behavior? What is the point of all our hard work and sacrifice if we aren't going to embrace and enjoy every single moment of it? It becomes a total loss, and that is heartbreaking.
We don't remember what it's like to play anymore let alone practice child-like enthusiasm. The blessing in that is, when we are around those who re-claim their inner child, we observe and celebrate. We take notes and practice letting go of all our worries, responsibilities, stress, social judgment and/or concerns and try. Who cares if we look silly? Isn't that the point?!
Test yourself. We only have one life to live and one body to live it with. Get outside and play those old schoolyard games. Invite loved ones, friends and strangers to join you. Embrace and accept all the beauty and freedom that comes with embracing your inner-child. Release yourself from all the social 'adulting' burdens and re-learn how to LIVE freely and whole-heartedly. Re-introduce yourself to yourself and love the bleep out of life.
See you at the playground.
Thanks for reading amigos, stay tuned for DAY FOUR of our 29 Days of Self-Care Series!
xo
Kris