As I was searching for a picture on the topic of play – I thought this was appropriate for most adults. Here is this cute little tricycle – chained up and without one of it’s wheels. Is it waiting to be fixed? Has it been forgotten?
I write about self care often in this blog. Self care comes in many forms every day of our lives but this photographs reminds me of the life I have had at some times and the lives of my friends. We mean well and say we are going to go and do something fun but meanwhile we chain up the fun ideas or lock them in a closet and don’t have make time.
Last week, for the first time in forever, I PLAYED!
I took a totally different route for a run, one that took me by the local elementar school. School was out for Spring Break and as I went past the playground – I looked at the swings. It was off of the path but I went directly to them and for the first time in I can’t remember when – I sat on that swing and went higher and higher. (Yes, those are my legs and I was determined to take a picture against the blue sky).
It was so much fun that I found myself laughing! You know, the laughter that comes from a little girl who is just enjoying something so much that there is nothing else going on in her mind but that moment. I didn’t care what anyone who saw me might have thought and just had FUN!
I typically don’t go to a playground – we don’t have kids, and sometimes it can be sad to see the kids there, and it’s not really socially acceptable to go swing with a bunch of kids who aren’t your own. (You know how people are).
I would have stayed longer than a half an hour but storm clouds were beginning to come and I didn’t want to chance having to run a mile home in the rain (although that could have been fun). I didn’t even care that this messed my “set” schedule up for the day.
I posted on Instagram and Facebook and was surprised at the comments I
received from others. Everyone could relate – and then tonight, a friend posted her own picture and thanked me for reminding her to take some time to play. She said I inspired her – and I am humbled by her statement.
So when is the last time you took some time for good old fashion play? You know, the type that truly gets nothing accomplished other than bringing a smile to your face and making you laugh.
This week I encourage you to unlock whatever the tricycle may be in your life and go play for a while – ride a bike, color or paint, or go and spend some time on the swings.
If you do go to the swings, I would love to see your pictures. You can find me on Instagram @HowToMakALife
Here’s to a Great Week Ahead!
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Love this. As a mom to 5, I get lots of opportunity to play with them, but I realize that I don’t really get to play with just myself. stopping by via the lets be friends hops.
Thanks for stopping by- as adults we need some true play for ourselves (we forget ourselves). Hope you can squeeze in some play for yourself
That’s awesome! We go to parks and playgrounds a lot and now we play outside in our backyard with the kids. I also love being silly with them in stores too. Who cares about the weird looks I get. I’m gaving fun with my kids.
I’ve finally reached the age where I don’t care what people think. It feels good to remember what it felt like to be a kid when it didn’t matter. Swinging has always been something I loved – I am a little bit of an adrenaline junkie – love going higher and higher.
I love that you took the time to go out and be playful. A little while back, I took a really big box and decided to go at it like a kid and make a house out of it. A few whacks of the scissors later and I made a house with windows and a door… for my dog. It felt so great to just let my imagination run wild and I felt all the better for it.
Good for you! I bet you had so much fun. We just have to remember to do things like this more often.
Finding my way back to playing a whole lot more! <3
That’s so good to hear!
I can’t help myself, if I pass an empty playground I just have to have a go on the swings! It has been a little too long since the last time I did this though! 🙂