When Did We Get So Serious About Play?

When was the last time you did something simply because it sounded fun?

I’ve been thinking about that question a lot, especially because of something I’ve noticed over many years of photographing both children and adults.

Give a child an idea or the beginning of a story, and they usually don’t need much encouragement. Pretty soon they’ve decided who they want to be, what’s happening next, and probably added a few details I never would have thought of.

Adults tend to approach things differently. We want to know the why and the how. Then self-doubt creeps in, along with that nagging thought about what other people might think.

I see the same thing when adults sit down to make art. Before the pen even touches the paper, I often hear, “I’m not artistic.” It’s interesting, because most children don’t seem nearly as concerned about whether they qualify to participate. They just start.

Adults don’t suddenly lose their imagination or curiosity. But work, parenting, responsibilities, expectations, and years of being rewarded for doing things correctly can make it harder to do something without knowing what the outcome will be.

That’s one reason play still matters as adults.

Research on adult playfulness has linked it to positive emotions, stronger relationships, greater engagement, a sense of meaning, and overall well-being. People also describe play as something that helps them step away from stress, connect with others, and learn something about themselves.

Creative activities can offer some of those same benefits. In one study from Drexel University, adults spent 45 minutes making art with simple materials. Cortisol, one of the hormones involved in the stress response, decreased in about 75 percent of participants. What I find especially encouraging is that previous art experience didn’t make a significant difference. You don’t have to be “good at art” for the experience to matter.

I see that often during my mindful art classes. When adults are given enough structure

to feel comfortable, but enough freedom to make their own choices, they are often surprised by how much fun this kind of play can be. They stop worrying quite so much about getting it right and start experimenting. Sometimes they laugh at what happened on the paper, and almost always, they surprise themselves.

And play doesn’t have to mean making art or stepping in front of a camera dressed as a superhero. Although, for the record, it is a lot of fun.

It might be gardening, dancing, trying a new recipe, singing in the car, playing dress-up just for fun, building something, learning something completely new, or returning to something your younger self used to love.

Have you asked yourself lately, “What did I enjoy before I started worrying about whether I was good at it?” That answer might surprise you.

As adults, we spend a lot of time doing what needs to be done. Play gives us a chance to be curious again, to experiment without needing a useful outcome, and sometimes simply to enjoy ourselves.

Wellness Loudoun offers plenty of opportunities to try something different, whether that’s art, movement, mindfulness, meditation, or any experience that catches your attention. Pick something because it sounds interesting, and then go play.

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Kerstin Becker is a Transformational Arts Coach, fine-art photographer, and Certified

Zentangle Teacher in Ashburn, VA.

Through ArtCafe Studios, she integrates mindful art (Zentangle®, Neurographic Art, and more), gentle breathwork, and soothing sound meditation into experiences that support gentle healing, restore calm, spark clarity, and build confidence. No art experience is needed, just a willingness to let go for a moment.

Kerstin has master-level training in sound-based relaxation (Master Sound Healer) and brings an empathetic, heart-centered approach to everything she does. Through her background in fine art and fantasy portraiture, she helps people notice beauty in small details and everyday moments.

Her mission is simple and hopeful: to create an uplifting space where people can exhale, imagine, and leave with something that lasts: a portrait, a piece of art, or a little more peace.