The Importance of Being Silly: Why Your Therapist Wants You To Play More
Written by Shelby Synder, LCSW
If you’re not chronically online, the concept of whimsy may be foreign to you. Or maybe you’re already working on reclaiming your whimsical prowess. For many of us, external circumstances prompted us to grow up way too fast. Play was abruptly stopped or encouraged to stop in favor of growing up or protecting ourselves. But play didn’t stop being necessary because you’re an accomplished adult now. Play is human nature.
Because the very nature of play and whimsy prompts us to tap into a child like state of wonder, excitement and curiosity it’s the perfect way to reconnect with our inner child, encouraging the healing of old wounds and allowing for joy to be present in our lives. It also helps us decrease stress and improves our ability to cope.
So how, exactly, do I play? What is whimsy? Will glitter solve all of this? (yes, probably).
I like to help my clients explore the different play styles and how exactly they relate to and apply each of them. According to the National Play Institute, play can be broken down into 8 styles.
The Joker: do you love making others laugh? The Joker may be a big form of play for you. Sending the video you know will have your friends silent laughing while tears stream down your face? Congrats Jokester, you’re playing.
The Kinesthetic: Is trying a new exercise or movement type class your favorite way to spend your time? Does hitting a new PR or nailing choreography fill you with joy? Slay my Kinesthetic queen, play means body movement to you.
The Explorer/ Investigator: Reading every plaque in a museum bring you joy? Or tracking the planetary alignments as they relate to the changing seasons? What about a good documentary? You might play by learning and understanding. You little genius!
The Competitor: Love to win? Is there nothing that beats the rush of knowing that you’re the best–even if it’s the best at putting away dishes? Or beating the estimated time of arrival on your GPS? You probably play through competition. Hold on while I update your contact info to GOAT.
The Director: You probably love organizing and creating systems. A spread sheet hates to see you coming. Your Pinterest boards? Organized and aesthetic. Themed nights out for your friend group? All in a days work. You play by taking command, and getting things in order is soothing to you. The color coded Google calendar in me sees and honors the color coded Google calendar in you.
The Collector: Do you care deeply about sourcing the coolest vintage t-shirts? Or spend your time hunting down the latest drop of Pokemon cards? Maybe your walls are lined with gemstones and other interesting rocks. You’re a collector! Look at all your shiny things!
The Storyteller: Find yourself spinning tales of yore? Finding lessons and sharing them along the way? Are you often the main event around a campfire, with everyone hanging on your every word? You’re a storyteller! You likely have a unique and engaging way of viewing the world. Are your stories more fact or fiction? Your secret’s safe with me.
The Creator: You’re a crafty bitch! You can take nothing and make something! Sometimes creating looks like painting or photography. Other times it may look like imagining and creating the perfect veggie garden.
Were you able to identify how you play? Or do you need more support incorporating play into your life? Lucky for you, Arches is right here, with whimsy to spare.
