What happens if I play?

I don't think of myself as a fun person, and if you've met me, you might agree.

I'm not the person who lights up the room at a party.

I'm not the first to get out on the dance floor.

I'm not the one who makes your one-year-old giggle uncontrollably.

That's why it's so weird that I'm getting so much out of my Secret Play Dates.

Digression!

(My husband will confirm that I start hyperventilating when I see toys that I loved or coveted as a child.

[gasp] 'I love Lite Brite!'

[gasp] 'I would have loved that tiny pottery wheel!'

[gasp] 'Dollhouse furniture!'

[gasp] 'Easy Bake Oven! I was never allowed to have one! You could bake tiny cakes!'

Husband: You do know you could get one now, right?)

What happens?

I knew I needed more play in my life.

Yet I'm not the kind of person who's usually up for a silly dance or twirling a cape.

But play also means playing around, investigating, being curious.

Once I got that, I had one of those 'whoa' moments.

Art-making ... and figuring out what's going on in my head and in my body .. and what helps my people feel safe and supported ... and what helps them reach their people and support themselves -- that's all essentially play.

Play is 'What happens if I do it this way?' 'What happens if I do it that way?' 'How about if I introduce this?' 'How about if I take away that?'

So many things break down to just that:

Making things:

What happens if I put this color over that one?

What happens if I add nutmeg instead of cinnamon?

What happens if I use a heavier wool?

Getting to know me:

What happens if I Fake a Nap instead of pushing through the fatigue?

What happens if I write a letter to my body?

Setting the tone:

What happens if I change the design of my site?

What happens if I stop writing 'Top 10 Ways to do Whatever' newsletters and just let my people know when they can join me in a class?

What happens if I let some classes and courses go?

Helping my people reach their people:

Asking them what happens when you stop charging your private customers wholesale prices?

Asking them what happens if you let go of the need to be an expert?

Asking them what happens when you talk to your people as you would in your own backyard?

It's all play.

Comments commence!

Where are you finding play in your life and work? Is there room for experimentation? I'd love to know.

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Tomorrow, and March, and April.

Tomorrow, right here, join me for a date with play.

And if you like more structure and support, the treehouse door is open for Society of the Secret Play Date in March and April. Take a peek if crayons and a cheering section sound like just the thing for you.