Give Yourself Permission to Play

Good Morning everyone!

I hope you have all enjoyed playing in the sun over the weekend... In the spirit of summer, I want to talk about the importance in finding joy this season and getting in touch with that sense of childlike wonder and joy that we once had.

As we grow up, we tend to lose that sense of excitement, wonder and joy in the simple things. We cease to ask questions and be curious, we get lost in the routine of surviving, while focusing on worry, fear and stress. Its understandable; its hard to be excited about things like bills, taxes, health insurance, planning for retirement, and getting up at the crack of dawn to go to a job you don't enjoy. Obviously, not everyone has a job that they dread, and luckily we are all learning how to have more of a work/life balance; but the majority of people go to a job they don't enjoy, and recieve a paycheck that barely covers their bills. But this blog isn't about that, in fact, it's the opposite. There are many reasons to live a life of worry, fear, stress and seriousness; but taking a hiatus, and giving in to that sense of joy that we experienced as children is a beautiful thing that we should protect.

Here are just a few ways we can nurture this childlike sense of joy.

Ask questions, learn something new, and be open to new experiences.

Getting out of our comfort zone and being inquisitive opens us up to experiencing life through new eyes, like those of a child. It opens us up to a sense of wonder about the world around us and unexpected discoveries, which can gives us a renewed appreciation for the world.

Travel to new places.

Changing your environment can give you a renewed sense of openness to the world, excitement and inspiration. Sometimes being in the same place for too long can stifle our growth and creativity. Be bold and leave the nest of comfort!

I'll be there first to admit that I STRUGGLE with this! I get stuck in a routine thats comfortable, but doesn't challenge me.

I tell myself I'm 'this or that' kind of person without actually discovering a different side of myself.

Embrace playfulness, be creative and don't take yourself too seriously.

Engage in activities you enjoyed as a child and rediscover the joy of unstructured play. As adults everything we do is scheduled, counted or measured in some way. Try doing something that brings out your creative side, like painting, drawing, playing music, etc... and don't have a time constraint. Allow yourself to be goofy, silly and laugh more! Whenever I'm feeling like life is really heavy I watch stand up comedy, this helps me get out of my head and laugh at simple and relatable things.

Look for beauty and wonder in simple things and engage your senses.

Pay attention to whats around you; the little details, the smells, the sounds, how something feels, or tastes. If you struggle with slowing down and paying attention to the details, try bringing a journal with you and writing down what you see, how something looks, and how it makes you feel. Even the smallest things can be extraordinary if you take the time to appreciate them ✨️

Seek out Inspiration.

Spend time with people you don't typically hang with, like children or a friend thats different from you. Spending time with children can inspire you to look at the world with a sense of natural curiosity and joy, and spending time with people who are different from you will help you to see the world from a different perspective.

Spend time in nature.

Not only is nature soothing in the way it takes you away from the hecticness of life, but it also unlocks that part of your brain that stimulates creativity.

Let's all experience new things this summer and make 2025 a year of exploration and growth! Life is a gift, it's too short to waste wishing you had done more. Blessings and

Happy Sunday 💛☀️💛