Rediscovering Play

Have you ever had a moment when you have rediscovered an old love? That in the next moment, you wondered why you ever stopped doing it? This past week, I’ve experienced that very moment.

I was introducing my three year old daughter to an old haunt of mine. As we drove to our location, I explained we would be doing something I loved as a little girl. Exploring the rocky cliffs of our local beach. She innocently and poignantly asked “Why did you stop doing it Mama?”. It was a good question and it stuck with me all morning.

As we clambered around the rocks, peering into dozens of rock pools, testing the limits of our gumboots, and lifting rocks to observe crabs, I couldn’t help but smile. The familiar excitement and curiosity I had experienced as a child surfaced. My daughter’s own delight fed into mine, and mine into hers. We buzzed together in the joy of discovery and challenge.

What I realised later was that my daughter was teaching me how to play again. This playful experience brought connection, exploration, and contentedness. While I’ve understood for a while that play helps build our resilience and joy, my heart had forgotten it’s importance. It needed the joy of a child and a shared experience to bring it to life again. Man am I grateful.

When was the last time you played? Go for it! What do you have to loose!

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