June 25th, 2026
What are you doing to play in your life? In what ways does play show up for you? Do you seek it out?
A few years ago, my word for the year was play. I intentionally sought out experiences where I could be playful. One of those was rowing. It had so many ingredients that felt like play to me: a sport, on the water, meeting new people, and doing it alongside one of my favorite people.
After six months, I learned that rowing is an incredible sport. It is technical, challenging, and requires each person to be deeply aware of themselves and everyone else in the boat. Things I love, and yet for a novice like me, it didn't feel playful at all.
So what actually is play? One definition: "behavior in which the means are more valued than the end." Not serious. Possibly with rules, but rules that leave room for creativity. Not stressful. A delight!
The beautiful thing is that play looks different for everyone. What feels like pure joy and freedom to one person might feel like effort to another. (I see you, rowing! 👀)
A Next Step
What feels like play for you? Go do more of that!
