8 (Pretty Fantastic) Ways to Bring Play into Your Life

Life is an amazing gift. Kids get this, but serious adults can sometimes forget.

Here are eight ways to make play part of your life and recapture some much-needed joy.

1. Go barefoot. Walk on grass, dance in the kitchen with your toddler, or simply kick your fee up. Sans shoe moments make life more casual and fun.

2. Open the windows. On drives, while sleeping at night, and in the house. There’s something about wind in your hair or soft, gentle breezes that invigorate the soul.

3. Analog over digital. Sure, we all need to be digitally connected. But journaling with a pen, doing crafts with paper, or reading a hardbound novel lights up our brains in good ways.

4. Laugh at yourself. Taking ourselves too seriously is the curse of adulting. Tap into your inner child, remember that you’re not perfect, and laugh at the mistakes.

5. Embrace silly. Read a story in a goofy voice, throw a costume party for your family, or chuckle at the antics of cats. A spoonful of silly is always needed medicine.

6. Say, “Wow!” When’s the last time you were, to quote Mr. C.S. Lewis, surprised by joy? Stare in awe at God’s sunsets, marvel at hummingbird wings, or be thankful for the simple miracle of being able to breathe.

7. Sabbath well. Enjoy this sweet gift from God and do something that makes your soul come alive.

8. Embrace the cake fail.  Dreaming of something that might embarrass you in the process? Good! Whether learning to bake, trying out the guitar, or wheezing through a half marathon, it’s okay knowing there’s a bit of failure in every first attempt.