What was your favorite part about childhood? Mud pies? Make believe? Dressing up? Climbing trees? Running for no reason Capture the flag? Sidewalk chalk? Forts? All these activities share something in common: unbridled freedom, creativity, and fun!
Photo by Marjorie Bertrand on Unsplash
Why do we stop using the word play?
If I had one phrase to capture my early childhood it would be: “Do you want to come out and play?” That simple question began many adventures. In Chinese, the word 玩 wan means to play. I would often have my students or friends ask me if I wanted to go play on the weekends before I understood Chinese. I explained to them that when translated into English, this phrase sounds strange. “Only children use that phrase,” I said. “Adults or teenagers set appointments. We hang out. We don’t play.”
My Sidewalk Art
What is the cost of giving up play?
Well, why not? As adults, how do we rob ourselves by trading in our Forrest Gump “I just felt like running…” runs for timed jogs with heart rate monitors? Brainstorming sessions rather than an afternoon of make believe. Organized football instead of tag. Rock climbing instead of tree climbing. Halloween as the only acceptable day to play dress up. Don’t get me wrong, I love rock climbing, runs, Halloween, and brainstorming, but is there a cost to structuring fun?
Childlike vs. Childish
Some say it is a sign of maturity that we give up parts of ourselves to transition into adulthood. There is a balance. Perhaps we can leave the “childish” parts of ourselves while having the courage to keep the childlike sense of imagination, adventure, and spontaneity. One of my favorite aspects of my Grandmother was that she never seemed old to me. Even on her 100th birthday, her eyes still sparkled with youth, playfulness, and joy of a 6-year-old.
In this spirit, I am honoring my upcoming birthday as a 20-something by hosting a giant capture the flag game in the park, costumes included! The pink tutu has been bought. Water guns and balloons may also make an appearance, and the guest list is open to everyone.
Who wants to come out and play?
Oh I miss playing Barbies! On the lawn with moss as carpet. I know you will have a great time on your birthday!!!! Yahoo, Happy Birthday.
That’s a great memory! I loved Barbies!
Mudpies, Barbies, creating tents out of comforters and bed sheets, and riding my bike until it was dark out. Oh…to be a kid again!
My colleague made me a “birthday fort” at my office! It’s pretty fantastic!
This is you in a nutshell…I wish I was there for your birthday.
And I still remember when you introduced me to Sigur Ros in your apt at the campus in HZ, do you remember that night?
Hugs
Luca
🙂 I wish you could’ve been there too, Luca! I remember that day well, sitting on my orange couch, dancing around my apartment with you. Miss you lots!! xoxo
Some of my favorite memories of college were field days and exam reading days where we would play childhood games. It was acceptable b/c it was all under the auspices of burning off steam and stress but it made me delriously happy about doing something so fun and pure without having to worry about what I looked like or what people were thinking about me. This is a great idea and I may just have to steal it!
Sounds like you went to a great college, Jessica! Go for it! I hope that you have tons of fun playing Capture the Flag, tag, etc. Be sure to get a bright pink tutu or a cape! 😉
now, though i consider myself as an adult, i still have the child in me to explore… im a very adventurous type of person. beautiful article… =)
Thanks for visiting! One of my all-time favorite movies is Hook. It reminds me to keep that child-like sense of imagination and wonder about the world. Your blog and your adventurous spirit are inspiring!