It's Playtime!

Now that we're adults, we don't allow ourselves enough time for play.  

I remember reading years ago how cats are hardwired to have a certain amount of play in their day.  They need it, and if they don't get it, they become all wacko. 

Since I'm not a cat person, I wouldn't be able to differentiate when they're being wacko due to a playtime deficiency, as opposed to their other kooky antics, so I'm happy to defer to the cat behavior experts on this one.

I like this concept though.  I think a lot of our procrastination tactics could be reduced if we gave ourselves permission to play.  Instead, we try to deny ourselves that pleasure because we have so much work to accomplish.  We avoid what we should be doing, and sneak in something we WANT to do, but then we feel guilty about it, so we don't end up enjoying an activity that was supposed to be fun.   

I have a poster by Mary Anne Radmacher on my wall that says:

"A reminder.  Some days are simply meant for playing." 

In one way it's sad that we even need a reminder.  But on the other hand, it's great that we can slap our foreheads and say, "Oh yeah! I need to play!"  

Here's a radical idea.  What if we penciled in at least an hour a day for nothing else but playing?

Dealer's choice too. It could be yakking with your Twitter friends, or a rousing game of solitaire on the laptop, or painting your fingernails.  Whatever it is that makes you feel free, like a little kid, knowing that you've got one entire hour to spend the way that you decide.

Don't think about how you SHOULD spend it.  Think instead how you WANT to use that time. 

You are being proactive, not procrastinating.

So let's set aside our writing tasks and have a play date.  Or at least a play hour.  For those of you who can't give in to having fun, I'll let you count it as "research".  This time.  But remember, this is designed to keep you from going wacko, so technically it's like medicine.  It's good for you.

Here's a good place to start.  Paper dolls, online!  Just click on "Dress Up Dolls" and you'll have a chance to dress (and I suppose, undress) a Regency era gentleman and lady.  They are in separate rooms, so no hanky panky can happen once you've got them half-dressed.  There is also an 18th century woman, as well as the main character from the book SOULLESS by Gail Carriger.  (What an imaginative bit of marketing that is, by the way.)

Have some fun today, and see what it does to inspire your writing.  I expect a full report on what you did with your hour of playtime!

Comments

[Maureen]

But do they have any pirate dolls? Or I'd settle for Carmen Miranda...

All for playing! I love watching Bonnie run and she is always happier afterward!

[Melissa]

I think I wind up doing plenty of play, but I always feel guilty about it, so good point about allowing or giving ourselves permission to play!

On the other hand, doing work and thinking it's play is usually the best way I learn anything. Most of my classes have interactive web sites with flash cards, games, etc., so I think this helps train the "play is good" mentality. Or maybe it trains a "work is bad" mentality? Ugh. I don't know. Maybe eventually it all comes together to "work is play" and "play is work." LOL

[Donna Cummings]

Maureen, I didn't see any pirate dolls, but maybe she takes requests? Or commissions? She is an artist after all. I thought you'd like the Soulless one, since it's a bit steampunkish, and I know you liked the books. :)

[Donna Cummings]

Melissa, so good to see you! Are you back at school now? Hope it's not wearing you out.

This topic came to mind because I was doing plenty of play things that weren't fun, and all I felt was guilt. So it seemed like I needed to switch things around.

I definitely agree that if you can make work into play it's a great way to learn. What's that quote if you love your work you'll never work a day in your life?

[Terri Osburn]

I can attest to the cat thing. When Bumbles was the lone cat in the house, he was quite wacko at times. Now that he has Caelen to play with, it's much better. They're both still goofy, but the wacko is reduced.

I don't typically lean toward play, unless watching television counts. And then I play WAY too much. Or if visiting blogs while at the day job. Does that count?

I think I do this and don't realize it. I often take an hour or so to do Sudoku puzzles. Love those things. I used to always feel guitly about what I "should" be doing, but I'm made a real effort to simplify my life and somehow, that guilt isn't near what it used to be.

[Donna Cummings]

Thanks, Terri, for verifying the cats and play theory. It's good to know that "wacko" has been dialed back to "goofy". LOL

I think it's great that you take the time to do the Sudoku puzzles--it's what you want to do, and it brings you enjoyment. That's how it should be. Proactive. No guilt. Enjoying what we choose to spend our time on, no matter what it is.

I've declared 2011 The Year of Fun. :)

[Maureen]

The Year of Fun...sounds fabulous!