Today’s task: Play

Be Playful. Blog written by Danny W. Pettry II, M.Ed., LPC, NCC, CTRS

Week # 11 out of 52. Goal one blog entry every week in 2022.

Put away your smart phone and play a game (that isn’t on your phone).

So that means – no playing candy crush, angry birds, pong or whatever is popular now.

You must do one of the following 50 activities this week to add a bit of play to your life. Your age doesn’t matter. Some of them may sound childlike, but do it anyway. It might help us to stay young and fun.

1. Play catch
2. Play alone
3. Play sports
4. Play Bingo
5. Play a song
6. Play indoors
7. Watch a play
8. Play a video
9. Play charades
10. Play dominoes
11. Play hopscotch
12. Play outdoors
13. Act in a play
14. Play Simon Says
15. Play the radio
16. Play marbles
17. Play tic-tac-toe
18. Play with a pet
19. Play with costumes
20. Play a new game
21. Play hot potato
22. Play in the sand
23. Play with paper
24. Play freeze dance
25. Play in the water
26. Play 20 questions
27. Play a board game
28. Play with bubbles
29. Play with plah-doh
30. Play with balloons
31. Play a card game
32. Play at the park
33. Play with friends
34. Play improv comedy
35. Play an instrument
36. Play role-play games
37. Play hide-and-go-seek
38. Play rock, paper, scissors
39. Play with home-made slime
40. Play a game on your own
41. Play with building blocks
42. Play pin the tail on the donkey
43. Play with finger paints
44. Play with make-up
45.  Play a game of tug of war
46. Play a prank (just kidding—don’t do that)
47. Play with glitter (just kidding – that’s a bad idea too). Laugh aloud.
48. Play in the snow (yes – it snowed here in West Virginia today 3/12/2022)
49. Play an old school video game like Atari or Nintendo. (just not on your phone).
50. Pay Elf on the shelf (with someone besides the elf – and not your co-workers keys).

 

Practice Activity: Do this now:

Play Pretend. I really want you to do this.

Pretend that play didn’t exist in our world.

Imagine if it was all work and responsibilities.

No games, fun or enjoyment during our lifespan.

None of the games listed above would be in our world.

Sigh. That world sounds a dull and depressing.

 

Reminder: Your Goal for this Week:

Be playful in your communications with people this week.

Be easy-going, fun, and make a real connection with someone.

Be sure to play at least one of the activities listed above this week with someone you care about.

Take a photo of you playing with your family, friends, cat or community. We’ll post it at our blog.