The Power of Play: Why Fun is Essential for Reinvention

How embracing play sparks growth and resilience

Photo by Patricia Prudente on Unsplash

“This is the real secret of life—to be completely engaged with what you are doing in the here and now. And instead of calling it work, realize it is play.” ~ Alan Watts

When I think of my childhood, my happiest memories are of endless days filled with possibility—playing in the neighborhood, exploring the woods near my house, and lying for hours in the open field of a nearby farm. Countless hours were spent laying down in that field, staring up at the sky, with Long Distance Runaround by Yes looping in my mind, a song I loved thanks to my older siblings’ well-worn records.

There was no agenda, no productivity goals, just pure joy, curiosity, and imagination. We invented our own gymnastic Olympics, pretending to be Olga Korbut or Nadia Comaneci. Inspired by the movie musical Gypsy, we staged reenactments where everyone wanted to play Natalie Wood’s part. For hours, we got lost in the magic of make-believe. There was a lightness to it all, an effortless way of being in the moment.

Somewhere along the way, play became something to outgrow, replaced by responsibilities, schedules, and the weight of practicality. Play is often dismissed as frivolous, the domain of children. But what if it’s more than that? What if play isn’t just about fun, but about growth, reinvention, and resilience?

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Why Play Matters for Reinvention

Play lets us step outside of who we think we should be and experiment with who we might be. It offers flexibility, creativity, and maybe most importantly, permission to not have it all figured out.

But as adults, we often resist it. We’ve been conditioned to prioritize productivity over presence. We forget that play can actually be an entry point to the kind of freedom we crave during big transitions.

And it turns out—there’s science to back this up.

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“The creation of something new is not accomplished by the intellect but by the play instinct.” ~ Carl Jung

Play Enhances Neuroplasticity

In a previous post, I explored the Default Mode Network (DMN) of the brain and its role in shaping our sense of self. This same network is activated during play, fueling creativity and imagination. Research by Dr. Stuart Brown, founder of the National Institute for Play, reveals that engaging in playful activities strengthens problem-solving skills, emotional regulation, and adaptability.¹

Play also enhances neuroplasticity—the brain’s ability to reorganize itself and form new neural connections. This adaptability is crucial for reinvention, helping us break free from old patterns and embrace new possibilities.

Dr. Brown identified eight primary play styles, and most people gravitate toward a dominant style. If you’re curious, you can explore your own play style with this quiz by therapist Lindsey Braman, based on Brown’s research. My dominant play style is the Explorer, which makes sense given my childhood fascination with microscopes and my continued love for vintage National Geographic maps. I also resonate with the Kinesthete, which explains my love of dance, yoga, and a brief, but intense, 3-month infatuation with trapeze.

“The key element of an optimal experience is that it is an end in itself.” ~ Mihaly Csikszentmihalyi

The Science of Play

Play triggers the release of dopamine,² the neurotransmitter associated with pleasure, motivation, and learning. It reduces cortisol³ (the body's primary stress hormone), activates the parasympathetic nervous system, and fosters relaxation and openness.⁴

Studies show that play improves divergent thinking, a key skill for creativity and problem-solving. Play is also closely tied to the state of flow, which psychologist Mihaly Csikszentmihalyi describes as deep focus, joy, and effortless action.⁵ People who regularly experience flow through play report higher levels of happiness and fulfillment.

As I write this, I can’t help but laugh at the irony—I’m sifting through research papers to write about play. But research and learning excite me. It appeals to my play style, the Explorer, and reminds me that play reconnects us with forgotten passions and untapped potential.

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My attempt at making a Tiny Book

“Play is the opposite of depression. It’s not the opposite of work.” ~ Brene Brown

Who Are You When You’re Not Being Productive?

A few weeks ago, I attended a workshop at a local art center to make tiny books. My good friend Suzanne, an artist and creativity coach, invited me. The moment I arrived, I felt out of my element. The room was a chaotic feast of color: scraps of paper curling at the edges, paints, lace, magnets, rustling magazines, bubble wrap, glue sticks, and more. Meanwhile, my blank poster board sat untouched.

Suzanne, completely in her element, dove right in—humming, tearing paper, gluing and painting. I envied her ease. I, on the other hand, wanted structure, instructions. I caught myself glancing at others’ work, seeking reassurance that I was doing it “right.” But play has no rules.

Noticing my discomfort, I allowed myself to be with it. That acknowledgment alone created a softening that gave space for self-compassion. Slowly, I shifted into play mode. And once I did, two hours passed without notice. I left the workshop reminded of something important—I need more play in my life!

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Overcoming Resistance to Play

If you can’t remember the last time you truly played, consider making space for it. As adults, we often prioritize our to-do lists over joy. Common barriers to play include:

• The Productivity Trap – Feeling guilty for doing something "unproductive."

• Fear of Looking Silly – Worrying about judgment or not being “good” at something.

• Rigid Thinking – Believing that play is childish or unnecessary.

But what if play isn’t a distraction from growth, but a catalyst for it?

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Photo by Elisabeth Arnold on Unsplash

“Laughter is carbonated holiness.” ~ Anne Lamott

Practice Suggestion: A Week of Play

This is your invitation—permission to play, no agenda required. Try one small playful activity this week, just for the joy of it—even if you suck at it!

Ideas to spark play:

🌀 Dance in your kitchen

🎲 Try a new game

🖌️ Explore a creative hobby

🎤 Sing in the shower (because let’s be honest, you sound amazing in there)

💃 Grab a hula hoop

🎨 Color in a coloring book

Then, check in with yourself: How did it feel? What did you learn?

Reclaiming play isn’t just about fun—it’s about remembering who we are when we’re not striving, achieving, or checking things off a list. It’s about reconnecting with joy, creativity, and possibility. And in that, we rediscover not just play—but ourselves.

I’d love to hear from you—share your thoughts in the comments, or join me in the chat!

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Additional Resources:

• Are you interested in a dedicated space to explore, reset, and deepen your mindfulness and self-care practices, without overwhelm? I’m launching Mindful Reinvention Journeys, a dedicated space featuring a series of guided challenges for a more immersive experience. Check out the details here, and consider joining the 21-day Reiki Reset.

• If you’d like more support with your mindfulness practice, I teach a weekly meditation class at The Mindfulness Center Online. Join me Tuesday nights at 7:30pm EST. Click here to join!

• For a deeper dive, consider one-on-one sessions. Check out my offerings here.

• If you found value in this exploration and would like to show appreciation, please consider becoming a paid subscriber, sharing this post with a friend, or buying me a coffee!

1. Brown, S., & Vaughan, C. (2009). Play: How it shapes the brain, opens the imagination, and invigorates the soul. Avery.

2. Ferreri L, Mas-Herrero E, Zatorre RJ, Ripollés P, Gomez-Andres A, Alicart H, Olivé G, Marco-Pallarés J, Antonijoan RM, Valle M, Riba J, Rodriguez-Fornells A. Dopamine modulates the reward experiences elicited by music. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A. 2019 Feb 26;116(9):3793-3798. doi: 10.1073/pnas.1811878116. Epub 2019 Jan 22. PMID: 30670642; PMCID: PMC6397525.

3. Gunnar MR, Donzella B. Social regulation of the cortisol levels in early human development. Psychoneuroendocrinology. 2002 Jan-Feb;27(1-2):199-220. doi: 10.1016/s0306-4530(01)00045-2. PMID: 11750779.

4. Wang S, Aamodt S. Play, stress, and the learning brain. Cerebrum. 2012 Sep;2012:12. Epub 2012 Sep 24. PMID: 23447798; PMCID: PMC3574776.

5. Csikszentmihalyi, M. (1990). Flow: The psychology of optimal experience. Harper & Row.