“When was the last time you took a day off,” my friend Renee asked me.
“A what?” I replied.
She rolled her eyes at me. “A day off. No email, no Facebook, no rushing, no getting caught up on your to-do list. Just a day where you did what you wanted to do; you know, had a little a fun?”
I stared at her as though she’d grown two heads.
That was last Fall.
As I continued to ignore her question – I was too busy to take a day off! – the Universe kept sending me little reminders. Four head colds in one month followed by a two-month bout with walking pneumonia, and a picture in a magazine that read, “Your weekend called. It wants its fun back” later, I remembered to take my own advice, practice what I preach, and have a little fun.
Why on earth would you sacrifice your precious work/family time to have fun, to do something just for you, to play? That’s a great question – one that I kept asking myself for years until I finally got it. Here’s the thing: you will be more productive if you take more time off. Yes, you read that right the first time, but it bears repeating: you will be more productive, not to mention saner, if you take more time off.
This is why: Our brains and our bodies need frequent breaks and entire days off to recharge and replenish so that we can give it our all on the days when we need to focus. In other words, you’re less likely to get mired in quicksand if you make time for yourself each day. When you build in relaxation time, your brain gets to relax, your quick-temper calms down, and your body gives a big sigh of relief. We are human be-ings, not human do-ings. We aren’t meant to go, go, go all the time. We’re meant to spend a significant portion of our day, week, month, year just be-ing…
One of my friends, Brenda, likes to stay grounded by painting a little bit every day. Painting may not be your thing, but most women feel empowered when they allow themselves time to play, explore, and be creative. The best kind of play is spontaneous. Things like running through the sprinklers like you did when you were a kid. Grabbing some chalk and drawing on your driveway. Singing at the top of your lungs in the car or shower. The only rule is that it has to be something that makes you forget yourself for just a minute and makes you feel free.
Re-Ignition Tip: You Can Dance if You Want to (or sing or draw…)
Many women are so out of touch with their creative sides, they have no clue where to begin. Although spontaneity is ideal, it isn’t always practical – at least in the beginning. So here are a few ideas you can explore when you want to play but don’t know where to start.
- Take a dance class – ballroom, hip hop, belly dancing, ballet, pole dancing – whatever type of movement makes you feel like the luscious, sensual goddess you are! I belly dance at least 3 nights a week and practice nearly every day!
- Pick up a paint brush or crayon or piece of chalk and start drawing – Melody got so into it she ended up painting a mural on her bedroom wall! Painting got me through my divorce. I painted my pain, my hurt, my sorrow, and found my joy, my happiness, my light. I still paint on occasion because I love it!
- Go for a nature walk – if the thought of playing scares you, start small – just get out there and move. But don’t be Type A about it, and no iPods! Notice things… the birds chirping, the way the grass feels under your bare feet, the sound of water running in the stream next to you. If that’s too much to ask, then go sit outside and enjoy the feeling of the sun on your shoulders.
- Take a drama class or act in a community play – I used to love to act and have several friends that use this as their form of play.
- Take voice lessons or join a choir – it doesn’t matter if you have talent or not, the point is to do something you enjoy that gets you a little out of your comfort zone. I sing every day – not that I’m any good at it! But if you want to socialize while you play and like to sing, this can be a great option for you.
- Grab your child’s coloring book and some crayons and go to town – color Elmo purple while you’re at it. Remember: there’s nothing right or wrong when you’re letting your creative self out of play. I love to color and haven’t done so in a while. Time to get out the markers and coloring books!
- Take a jewelry making class and design yourself a beautiful pendant – I’m a jewelry girl. My granddad owned a jewelry store, so I’m blaming genetics for that one! But making your own jewelry can be so rewarding too. I made my friends bracelets for Christmas a few years back.
- Take a pottery class – make and/or decorate your own flower vase. Then go buy or pick some flowers to put in it! This is on my bucket list and will happen this year. I haven’t really sculpted since junior high but I loved the feeling of clay in my hands. It could mold into anything.
- Grab a marker and draw your feelings – see what shape and color your feelings look like right now – as I mentioned earlier I painted my way through my divorce. This was an incredibly fun and healing process for me.
- Pick wildflowers – just make sure they’re not in your neighbors front yard! 😉
- Learn to sew, knit, or crochet and make yourself a beautiful, flowy dress or skirt – I used to love to crochet. My carpal tunnel prevents it now, but I miss it.
- Write a poem – it doesn’t even have to rhyme. Just put the words down on paper. – I journal every day. Writing, expressing my emotions is my sanity.
- Start that novel you’ve been meaning to write for the past 15 years. – I’ve written 4! Now I just have to publish them….
- Color your hair a fun color – even if it’s only one strand in the back that only you will know about – I had my grey streak dyed purple and I love it!
- Get a tattoo that symbolizes your newfound freedom – every time you look at it, it will serve as a reminder that you are a goddess – this one is also on my bucket list and will happen this year.
I could go on, but my Inner Goddess is telling me to get out and play and enjoy my day! Get out there and enjoy yours!
