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Nan Tepper's avatar

I need to read this about 3 more times. It's so good. I realize that I feel like a good part of my day IS play. I have fun doing what I do. My business on Substack, and of course, the WRITING! That's me, allowing myself to play. That's me, allowing myself to be who I am meant to be, after a lifetime of fear about taking risks, exposing my truth, and maybe failing at it. My mom asked me the other day what I do for fun. I answered, "I live my life. My life is fun." It wasn't always that way, not by a long shot. Transformation can happen. I do a lot of the same things as an adult that I enjoyed as a kid. Quiet, art, reading, writing, and occasional meet-ups with friends. Life is good, even in the midst of chaos, because I've made a commitment to my well-being. I never had an imaginary friend when I was a kid. I tried to conjure one, but it just felt silly to me! That kind of imagination always escaped me! Thanks for another great post, Jamie. xo

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Jess Greenwood's avatar

I knew it would be worth the wait. 😉 We're now on to Day 4 of no school thanks to snowmageddon. I wish I could say I've enjoyed all the play, but the stress of having to do the things during the play has sucked some of the joy out of it. I've also realized I draw a blank when asked to come up with the game or activity myself. If it doesn't involve my computer, a chore, or cooking, I'm woefully unprepared to engage my imagination in a new activity. All this to say, I concur. We need play more than ever. And not just on snow days, although that's a good start. I, for one, have to figure out how to play again, but just that ignites a creative part of my brain that isn't present when I'm folding laundry or doing our budget. I feel a fort coming on today...blankets and pillows and turrets and all! And I'm going to absolve myself of the guilt of taking time away from all the things to do it.

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