Honestly, I wish Substack would allow us to do reactions like in Google Docs. Some of these paragraphs are just *chef's kiss*. I'll give you one of them:
"Think about it. Why plant flowers in the backyard if it doesn’t improve cash flow? Why go for a sunset walk when the stairmaster gives better results? Why do anything, ever, at all, if it doesn’t achieve concrete results?"
I perceived a slightly different tone in this piece from your other writing (don't know why). It's just as impactful, however. You've got range!
Delightful piece, I was nodding like a bobblehead doll.
Great piece Grace. This one resonated almost painfully.
"Hard-wired for efficiency, we’ve developed an instinctive distrust of play (the very thing we used to have an instinct for). “Recreation” can feel like a word that should be whispered. Play feels indulgent and unserious. It feels uncomfortable, like a wet blanket of unproductivity. Somewhere along the way, in the throes of all of our S.M.A.R.T. goals, we have lost touch with one of the most important parts of ourselves." Very perceptive, very incisive, very unsettling.
I've struggled so much with that 'instinctive distrust'. It's like my mind has developed an allergy to anything without a clear purpose or orientation toward future value. So much so that when we got the Call to Action prompt for WOP my first thought was, I'm tired of action, how about a call to inaction?
I have a hunch that this topic is more important than any of us realize, and I'm interested to hear how your relationship with play develops.
Beautiful essay (as always) Grace. Although I found myself, for maybe the first time ever in one of your essays, disagreeing with you on a point.
"Ambition, drive, grit, discipline – these are all essential character traits for a fulfilling and meaningful life." <- I think I disagree here. I think they often mask the pursuit of a fulfilling and meaningful life, even inhibit it.
"Like me, you may not even be aware that your life is devoid of play entirely. I’d encourage you to ask yourself that question. What do I do for play? And while you’re reading this, relax your jaw a bit. Don’t worry – you're going to hit your goals. Now, go play. "
👀 thank you for the reminder! I *think* I do play, but I overshadow it with wanting to turn "play" back into "work."
I loved reading this essay. You got me thinking in so many ways.
Last week I was thinking I haven't been doing much for play. Seems like I have been focusing mainly “moving the needle” and as you pointed: "The problem arises when we don’t know how to turn them off."
Honestly, I wish Substack would allow us to do reactions like in Google Docs. Some of these paragraphs are just *chef's kiss*. I'll give you one of them:
"Think about it. Why plant flowers in the backyard if it doesn’t improve cash flow? Why go for a sunset walk when the stairmaster gives better results? Why do anything, ever, at all, if it doesn’t achieve concrete results?"
I perceived a slightly different tone in this piece from your other writing (don't know why). It's just as impactful, however. You've got range!
Delightful piece, I was nodding like a bobblehead doll.
Great piece Grace. This one resonated almost painfully.
"Hard-wired for efficiency, we’ve developed an instinctive distrust of play (the very thing we used to have an instinct for). “Recreation” can feel like a word that should be whispered. Play feels indulgent and unserious. It feels uncomfortable, like a wet blanket of unproductivity. Somewhere along the way, in the throes of all of our S.M.A.R.T. goals, we have lost touch with one of the most important parts of ourselves." Very perceptive, very incisive, very unsettling.
I've struggled so much with that 'instinctive distrust'. It's like my mind has developed an allergy to anything without a clear purpose or orientation toward future value. So much so that when we got the Call to Action prompt for WOP my first thought was, I'm tired of action, how about a call to inaction?
I have a hunch that this topic is more important than any of us realize, and I'm interested to hear how your relationship with play develops.
Beautiful essay (as always) Grace. Although I found myself, for maybe the first time ever in one of your essays, disagreeing with you on a point.
"Ambition, drive, grit, discipline – these are all essential character traits for a fulfilling and meaningful life." <- I think I disagree here. I think they often mask the pursuit of a fulfilling and meaningful life, even inhibit it.
I need some more life juice in my diet!
"Like me, you may not even be aware that your life is devoid of play entirely. I’d encourage you to ask yourself that question. What do I do for play? And while you’re reading this, relax your jaw a bit. Don’t worry – you're going to hit your goals. Now, go play. "
👀 thank you for the reminder! I *think* I do play, but I overshadow it with wanting to turn "play" back into "work."
I loved reading this essay. You got me thinking in so many ways.
Last week I was thinking I haven't been doing much for play. Seems like I have been focusing mainly “moving the needle” and as you pointed: "The problem arises when we don’t know how to turn them off."