How do we face barriers to play?

So, what do we do in the face of the barriers to play?

Last week (linked here if you missed it), we unpacked why playfulness can feel out of reach—how societal pressures, workplace norms, and even personal history can make it hard to access. But if play is a vital to being human (and, let’s be real, essential for creativity, resilience, and joy), how do we start reclaiming it?

A few thoughts:

 Know Your Play Identity – You don’t have to force lightheartedness if that’s not your thing. Play looks different for everyone—whether it’s social connection, curiosity-driven problem-solving, or embracing the weird and wonderful. (Still unsure? Check out this self-assessment - use the code PLAYEMAIL10 for a discount!)

 Start Small – Play doesn’t have to be a grand gesture. It can be a joke in a tense meeting, a puzzle during lunch, or saying “yes” to something a little outside your norm. Play is a muscle—use it. (The Playful Breaks Deck has 50 of these very ideas! The PLAYEMAIL10 discount works on this item too!)

 Notice Resistance (Without Judgment) – If the thought of “playing” makes you cringe or roll your eyes, pause. Where’s that coming from? What feels unsafe about play? Awareness is the first step.

 Find (or Create) Playful Spaces – Some environments make play easier than others. Seek out people, teams, or moments that allow for experimentation, humor, and curiosity. And if those spaces don’t exist? Consider how you might build them.

Play isn’t about escaping reality. It’s about meeting it with creativity, adaptability, and (yes) a little joy. So what’s one tiny way you can invite more play into your world this week?

Let’s start there.