Invoking the magic of rest and play – 6 ways to bring more peace and joy into your life today.
As we get older, we are encouraged to let go of the things that fill our days as children to make room for the habits that will help us become productive adults.
Learning becomes less about curiosity and more about how to pass exams. Moving our body becomes a chore or about gains rather than pure fun and rest becomes something we have to earn.
And where does that get us? Overworked, overwhelmed, disconnected and under nurtured. We often have little energy or motivation left at the end of our day to do more than sit in front of one big screen whilst we scroll endlessly through a smaller one.
We seem to have created a world where productivity is the key measure of success – but it’s also a world that leaves us exhausted, short of creative inspiration and in a deficit of joy.
So, what would it feel like to bring some rebel magic to that world and turn the tide of toxic productivity? And I say rebel magic because 1) in a world that wants you to be as productive as possible, these intentional acts of rest and play can feel revolutionary and 2) the impact on your health, wellbeing and sense of self can be truly transformational – pure magic! Here are 6 simple ways you can bring some of the magic into your life.
1. Return to what you did as a child that brought you joy. Maybe it was playing in the woods, collecting shells on the beach, drawing, painting or simply going on a bike ride. Whatever it was, connect back to your inner child and do more of what brings them joy. Making time for things “just for fun” is so rewarding and will give your creativity a boost too.
2. Explore what rest looks like beyond a good night’s sleep. Did you know there are 7 types of rest and physical rest is just one of them? There is also emotional rest, social rest and spiritual rest amongst others. Each type of rest supports your wellbeing in a different way so having a holistic approach to rest that goes beyond having an early night now and then will support you feel generally more rested.
3. Embody your future self. Perhaps you appreciate the value of having downtime and have promised yourself that once you hit those big life milestones, you’ll slow down, take the pressure off and have some fun. But doesn’t the now version of you deserve some of that joy now? What would it feel like to imagine the ideal day for a future version of you – what time would they get up, what would they do with their time, how would they treat themselves etc – and bring something of that ideal future into your now so you can benefit too. Delaying joy, postponing rest and telling yourself “I’ll be happy when…” simply stops you loving life now. And you 100% deserve some of that happiness now, so go take some!
4. Get creative. Remember that inner child joy from tip one? What if you took that to a next level and joined a local/online club or class where that joy can become a regular feature? Having fun with others, developing skills and learning new things are great ways to build connection, confidence and reinforce those good habits you want to keep. Restorative bike rides or art sessions become much more likely if you are dedicated and invested in that time with like minded folks who support you and your passions.
5. Let your shadow have a say. If the idea of joining a club or picking up a paintbrush after so many years feels daunting, then borrow some audacity from your shadow side. Our shadow is the part of us we usually keep hidden, but if we tap into the energy of that part of us, we can borrow confidence, audacity and determination to see something through. If there is something that part of you really wants to do, but fear is holding you back – then invite your shadow side to get involved and cheer you on. Borrowing a little confidence may be all you need to get you started and from there, the joy you unlock will be reward enough!
6. Turn simple daily practices into mini rituals. Whether it’s adding uplifting affirmations to your daily skincare routine; treating yourself to a mindful massage when you use your favourite lotion or transforming the act of taking your makeup off into a full on, gorgeous and restorative skincare routine, try and bring some intentional to your everyday habits. Being present, being mindful and taking real care with the simple things can sprinkle your day with tiny restful moments of connection and meaning.
We all deserve more rest and play in our lives and the benefits to our wellbeing and the knock-on effect that has to our relationships, careers and family make it really worth while prioritize intentional rest and play in your life.
And you can start today – simply decide it’s something you want, and then ask your inner child to lead the way…
Thank you for reading…
Invoking the magic of rest and play was written by certified life coach of The Curious Life Coaching – Sadie Tichelaar
