MICRO EP: Why adults need play in their lives
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I want to talk about play and why adults need it in their lives. During COVID lockdown, I had this insight that part of our cultural depression wasn't just fear or worry, it was that we weren't enjoying ourselves enough. Since becoming a parent, I've experienced a huge sense of loss for opportunities to play, and I think many of us feel this way as adults.
I have a challenge for you. Think back through your entire life and remember what you did for play. Construction and Lego, imaginative role play, physical games, sports, social activities, dancing, reading, hiking, music. Not everything works for everyone, but what are your things? What gets your heart racing and connects you to your wants and desires? Spend time fantasizing about what you miss most, then figure out what aspects you can still fit into your daily routine, weekly schedule, or monthly calendar.
If you're a parent thinking you have no time, I understand completely. It's not all or nothing. We owe it to our children and ourselves to carve out space for play, to access those parts of ourselves that aren't responsible or in service of others' needs. You come back better, stronger, more fulfilled, and able to give more to the people in your life. As a parent, it's actually our responsibility to offer this to ourselves.
Follow Carly on:
Website: https://onthecouchwithcarly.com/
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCfBi56xQookfRGL3zvWVzCg
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/onthecouchwithcarly/?hl=en
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/onthecouchwithcarly/
TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@onthecouchwithcarly
Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/za/podcast/on-the-couch-with-carly/id1497585376
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/3t7A2FMnISQ2fz9D5p0Xuw
I have a challenge for you. Think back through your entire life and remember what you did for play. Construction and Lego, imaginative role play, physical games, sports, social activities, dancing, reading, hiking, music. Not everything works for everyone, but what are your things? What gets your heart racing and connects you to your wants and desires? Spend time fantasizing about what you miss most, then figure out what aspects you can still fit into your daily routine, weekly schedule, or monthly calendar.
If you're a parent thinking you have no time, I understand completely. It's not all or nothing. We owe it to our children and ourselves to carve out space for play, to access those parts of ourselves that aren't responsible or in service of others' needs. You come back better, stronger, more fulfilled, and able to give more to the people in your life. As a parent, it's actually our responsibility to offer this to ourselves.
Follow Carly on:
Website: https://onthecouchwithcarly.com/
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCfBi56xQookfRGL3zvWVzCg
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/onthecouchwithcarly/?hl=en
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/onthecouchwithcarly/
TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@onthecouchwithcarly
Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/za/podcast/on-the-couch-with-carly/id1497585376
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/3t7A2FMnISQ2fz9D5p0Xuw
Chapters
- 00:14 Adults need play in their lives
- 01:37 Create play escapes and weekends away
- 02:12 Challenge: Think about play since childhood
- 02:37 Construction play, imaginative play, role play
- 02:58 Physical games: hopscotch, jumping rope, dodgeball
- 03:20 Formal sports as we get older
- 03:49 Social activities, partying, drinking as play spaces
- 04:09 Leisure activities: reading, hiking, music, theater
- 04:49 What gets your heart racing?
- 05:07 Play connects us to our wants and desires
- 05:26 COVID taught us basic needs aren't enough
- 05:50 What would you do without responsibilities?
- 06:27 What can you fit into your daily routine?
- 07:18 For exhausted parents: it's not all or nothing
- 08:24 Play is our responsibility as parents
