Welcome to Bloganuary. It’s this thing that WordPress is doing to encourage bloggers to post something every day by providing a regular prompt. I think that “Bloguary” would not only sound better but makes more sense. Maybe they’re saving that for next month. But if they go with Blogebruary I’m dropping out. Anyway, today’s prompt asks the question: Do you play in your daily life? What says “playtime” to you?

With the busy schedules we all keep, it can be tough to schedule in fun just for the sake of fun. But I’ve realized lately how restorative it is to take time to play, whether it’s a few rounds of solitaire, playtime with my pup, or getting lost in a good video game.

For me, one of the best forms of play lately has been diving back into some classic video games. I’ve had the PS5 for nearly a year but have only recently been totally sucked into the new Spider-Man game. Swinging through the streets of NYC and taking down bad guys brings me right back to being a kid on the couch with my old Super Nintendo. Of course, now the graphics are insane and the gameplay is so smooth. But it captures that sense of escape and adventure that used to come from games for me.

I’ve also been trying to build in more playtime with my dog, Krypto. He’s a high energy little guy cooped up in a small apartment, so anytime I can get him chasing his rope bone down the hallway is a good thing! It may look silly to outsiders, but seeing him dash around and have fun puts the biggest smile on my face.

So I encourage all of you to think about the things that say “playtime” to you. Maybe it’s pulling out those old board games with friends, heading to the park for some frisbee, or even just putting on some music and dancing around the house. Don’t underestimate the power of scheduling in unstructured fun. It’s so good for the soul!

Let me know in the comments below – what says “playtime” for you these days? I’d love to hear how you all make space for play, even with your busy schedules. Wishing you many moments of joy!

Feature Photo by cottonbro studio