Playing is good for you #124-125

Play more!

“It’s like a life-size Wendy House”

So said my friend Jen¹ as she proudly showed me around her new camper van. The swivelling front seat. The pop-up roof. The sliding backseat-come-double-bed. The fold-away table. Not to mention the collapsible kettle, saucepan and washing-up bowl. And not forgetting, of course, the travel-friendly wine rack.

“It’s like a real-life Post Office”

Jen’s excitement took me straight back to my business partner Linda and me, back in the day, when we ran our financial planning business. One Friday afternoon, after a particularly satisfying week, we sat reflecting on our good fortune - our team, our clients, our light, airy and effortlessly cool office - and each had exactly the same thought. It was our grown-up version of the imaginary post office ‘shop’ game we’d each played as children in the early 70s, except now we had a proper functional document stamp proudly announcing our business name, a rubber thumb cover and a franking machine.

“It’s like a real-life bike adventure”

As you’re reading this, Jen, Claire and I will be on a bike-packing adventure in Norfolk, travelling lightly with our bare essentials hanging off our bikes. Our adventure culminates in Cley next the Sea on Thursday, where we’ll meet friends to celebrate Kate’s fifty-something birthday. The route was planned weeks ago. As I write this, my fellow travellers are affixing bike racks, pumping up tyres and oiling chains. All that’s needed now is the execution.

Three very different types of play - a camper van, a business, a bike ride - the same spirit running through all of them. A sense of imagination, planning and possibility. We had it in buckets as children. But somehow, as adults we sometimes forget to make room for it.

For me, play is a wonderful opportunity to spend time with friends, evoke life-affirming nostalgia and create future memories. I love the sense of courage and possibility that comes from sharing time with people I care about and the way we bring out the best in each other when we do.

I know life gets busy. Responsibilities call, resources can be stretched and sometimes play feels like a luxury to be enjoyed by others. But whatever stage of life you’re at, particularly as we get older, I’d encourage you to make space for it. Play gives us purpose, connection, and both physical and mental exercise. It needn’t be expensive or elaborate. We just need to make it happen.

You

As ever, I’m interested in you. When and how do you make time for play? Who are you with, and what do you do? Grab yourself a Dandelion & Burdock, or other childhood pop of choice, and drop me a line, I’d love to hear from you.

And remember, you’re never going to be any younger than you are today. Go plan, book or do that adventure you’ve been dreaming of. I know you won’t regret it.

Until next week my friends,

Ruth x

Do drop me a line, I love to hear from you, it keeps me writing and the creative juices flowing. And if you enjoyed reading my words why not leave me a ❤️, share or subscribe. Thank you.

1. If you look closely you can see Jen and Cyd the travelling Mini Schnauzer in the photo!