Rediscovering Joy: How Play Realigns Us with Our True Self

Are you ready to tap into the transformative power of play? Join me as we explore how it can revolutionize every aspect of your life. This insightful discussion is inspired by Stuart Brown’s book “Play: How It Shapes the Brain, Opens the Imagination, and Invigorates the Soul.” Brown’s book emphasizes the importance of play and rediscovering joy, which I believe is essential for everyone.

Listen in on the podcast below and keep reading to learn more.

Confronting Our Fears and Rediscovering Joy through Play

Imagine a day off dedicated purely to fun. What thoughts and stories flood your mind? For many of us, it’s money, guilt, worthiness, and the fear of not being productive. Consequently, many of us are afraid to let go and experience joy. What if I told you that play is not only essential for our well-being; it’s also a fast-track way to uncover the underlying stories that hold us back?

When we consciously choose to embrace play, we invite these stories to the surface. It’s an opportunity to examine them closely and decide which we’re willing to let go. These stories, like self-doubt, are the very barriers preventing us from attaining the life we truly desire: more time, more freedom, and more abundance.

Why are we so resistant to receiving what we say we want? The answer lies in our ability to embrace play. Play strengthens our “receiving muscle.” By immersing ourselves in it, we learn to accept and appreciate the gifts life offers us without the need to prove anything.

The True Nature of Play

According to Stuart Brown, play is purposeless—a space where we can simply be. It allows us to transcend time and enter a state of flow, where our ego takes a back seat and our true selves emerge. Rediscovering joy is one of the most powerful benefits of play. In addition, play can help us overcome our fears and limitations.

When we play, we allow ourselves to let go of our inhibitions and simply be in the moment. We experience a sense of freedom and lightness that can be incredibly refreshing. By redirecting our focus from our thoughts to our bodies, we find a sense of ease and surrender. It’s like stepping into a world of effortless joy and self-discovery.

The Joy and Self-Expression Derived from Play

The importance of play is something that we often overlook as adults, but it is essential for our well-being. It can be easy to forget the joy and curiosity that comes with play. We get caught up in our routines, responsibilities, and judgments. What if we slowed down and allowed ourselves to experience anticipation and pleasure? In such a fast-paced world, there is little space for us to live by our design. As Generators, we are meant to live in our bodies and respond to what life has to offer us.

When we can look forward to our lives with anticipation, we tap into a genuine curiosity that can bring a sense of wonder and excitement. And when we’re surprised by something unexpected, it opens us up to new perspectives and ideas. The pleasure we feel when we engage in activities we love releases a burst of dopamine, making us feel good and alive. Therefore, it is important to make time for play in our lives.

Understanding is not just about acquiring new knowledge. It is about embodying these new ideas and skills. When I was learning to surf, I had to remember and incorporate so many new things. It was a challenge, and it made me stronger and more resilient.

Play also allows us to face our fears and come out stronger on the other side. Whether it’s completing an obstacle course or pushing our bodies to new limits, we feel a sense of accomplishment and pride. And when we find balance in our lives, nourishing our bodies, minds, and souls through play, we experience a profound sense of poise and contentment.

Embracing Play as Adults

So, why did we stop playing? Society, upbringing, and the pressures of life tell us that it is childish and unimportant. The truth is, the opposite of play isn’t work—it’s depression. In other words, play is essential for our mental and emotional health. When we neglect play, we miss out on a vital source of joy and self-expression.

As Generators, we are meant to be lit up about our lives. We generate more energy when we are doing things we love, whether that be with work or through play. Let’s tap into our curiosity, embrace surprise, and find pleasure in the activities that make us feel alive. Let’s cultivate strength, resilience, and balance. By taking action against our fears and challenging ourselves, we can break the cycle of the mundane.

According to Brown, many of us are missing out on the joy and fulfillment we deserve. Just like there are tests for heart disease or diabetes, Brown suggests that there should be a test for our happiness and fulfillment. If there were, it would show that we’re in grave danger of not living up to our true potential.

Reconnecting with Ourselves Through Play

So here’s a challenge for you: schedule time for play in your calendar. I know it may sound silly, and in the beginning, we have to be intentional about making time for fun. Even just putting it on your calendar can bring up some internal resistance, and it’s worth it.

If you’re not sure what you enjoy doing, start by reconnecting with your inner child. Think about the activities you loved when you were younger. And if you can’t remember, that’s okay too.

Try out different things until you find something that lights you up. This is where we get to practice tapping into our sacral, asking ourselves yes or no questions, to turn back on the part of us that we have ignored. When we get still, our body will show us what we enjoy. You will start to feel a pull toward things you like and push away from things you don’t. This is a great place to start playing with tuning back into our sacral.

Remember, this isn’t just another item on your to-do list. Instead, it is an opportunity to connect with our inner child and rediscover joy in the simple things. It’s about nourishing your soul and prioritizing your well-being. Nothing is more important than taking care of yourself and making time for what brings you joy.

Supporting you to foster your play personality

If you struggle with this and feel stuck or overwhelmed, you aren’t alone. As humans and Generators, we aren’t taught how to take care of ourselves or prioritize joy in our lives. I provide one-on-one support specifically catered to Generators in Human Design, and we work together to help you let go of the beliefs that are keeping you stuck so that you can begin to live in alignment with who you truly are.You can schedule a call here.

In the next podcast and blog post, I’ll break down different play personalities so you can identify which resonates with you and start incorporating them into your life more often.

You deserve to be filled with joy and fulfillment.

From my soul to yours,

Erin Gray

Let’s connect on Instagram @theeringray

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