Let Yourself play: Creativity for fun

A while ago, I went to see a bunch of kids (including one of my own) sing and play instruments at our local pub. It was fun, I was proud, and it got me thinking… Why do adults not play more?

Making paperbark pictures with Miss 10

I feel confident that most schools could easily pull together a set full of kiddos who are willing to give performing a go. But, could any workplace? Perhaps they could, but in general, it feels as if children are more willing to put their reputation on the line (and shake off an unfavourable outcome) easier than an adult.

But that's it, isn't it?

In general, adults are less willing to look silly and more worried about what other people think.

Colouring with Mr 5a. Thanks for the sheet alistairlawsonbooks.com.au

I want you to ponder these things:

Are people so worried about what others think of them that they are TOO BUSY to think poorly of anyone else?

Or, if there are negative opinions about other people, are they more reflective of a person's own feelings about THEMSELVES (and their insecurities) than the other people?

Hrmm

I believe that the more people are willing to try and fail, the more it gives permission to other people to try and fail, and then we can get to a place in society where it is more about the trying than the failing.

Because isn't that what we're told as children?

"Just give it your best shot"

"Try your best"

"If at first you don't succeed, try again"

"Shoot for the moon and if you miss, you'll land among the stars"

Okay, so what's your point, Marley?

My point is that we need to let ourselves play and do things badly!

I feel SO passionate about this! How many people reading this think "Oh, I'm not creative at all" and don't ever try to write a poem, colour a picture, paper mache a balloon, weave grasses, paint a canvas, knit a scarf, or write a story? If you don't enjoy doing any of those things, then of course I don't expect you to do them; but what did you enjoy doing before you started worrying so much about whether you could do them well, whether they are a waste of time, or what people think? Building Lego? Drawing Pokemon? Why don't you try doing that again?

Let yourself play!

We also need to fight this culture of perfectionism, threatening to take away our fun!

You don't need to do things perfectly to make them worth doing.

Art doesn't have to be good to resonate

You know what I have found with my comics and my books; People relate to the imperfection. It resonates with them more.

Let me challenge you to give someone a homemade gift; perhaps a badly drawn card, or a scarf with holes, a painting you've done, or a poem you've written all about them (Maybe you could try filling out a copy of The Perfect Gift!) - See what reaction you get.

It's not a perfect painting or a perfect scarf that means the most, its the effort you put in and the meaning behind it.

... and you don't have to be good at what you do to reap the benefits.

What benefits?

Play is fun! Play is stress relief! Playing can help to improve your mental health.

Playing can help you connect with people, but you don't have to share what you do, either. If you want to write poems that never see the light of day or crochet mushrooms that become your dog's next chew toy, that is fine too! Please still let yourself do it. Decorate a cake for yourself. Collect bark to make a picture that you use as a fire starter. You still get to reap the positive benefits of play. Your brain creates new neural pathways, releases more endorphins, and it helps to reduce the risk of dementia (See more: The Importance of Play for Adults - National Institute for Play).

Creativity and play make you HAPPIER!

Make bad art... then destroy it!

One of the reasons I feel so passionate about this is because it is what I do, not only as an author and artist, but also as a leisure and lifestyle assistant in aged care. I run craft sessions, play bingo, and do sing-alongs. We paint with water, make popsicle stick quilts, do wordfinds, play with fidgets in a sensory room, play balloon tennis and target practice, make cards, and colour in. This is not just to fill time, but to provide important health benefits and meet the social, emotional, spiritual, cognitive, mental, and physical needs of the people I work with.

So, we recognise the benefits, and we play as children, and we play as older people - there shouldn't be a gap in between!

Let me also point out that when it comes to creativity, art is SUBJECTIVE. One person's favourite painting is 'Blue Poles', while another person thinks it's just a mess.

So... why not just PLAY!

Show me your creations. Tell me about your homemade gifts. I can't wait to hear about the things you do.

Happy playtime!

Much love,

Marley x