You Are Never Too Old to Play

(hissing music) (clicker clicks) (bright music) Headspace Studio. Hi, welcome to Radio Headspace. It's Dora. So I was at a friend's house recently helping her unpack after a move. And I found a box labeled, "Things that spark joy." Inside was a mix of stuff: bubble wrap, stickers, a tiny jar of glitter, a pack of fruit-scented markers, and a postcard that just said, "My favorite color is red." It made me smile and I felt a pang I didn't expect. When was the last time I had a favorite color? I mean, sure, I've always liked deep blues or warm oranges, but I hadn't declared one in years. I couldn't remember the last time I chose something just because it brought me joy. No purpose, no plan. Just pure delight. Later that week, I was looking through a drawer to find a pen so I could journal. And I came across one of those clicky pens that give you the choices of using four colors: red, blue, green, or black. And I thought, "Sure, why not?" I started journaling in blue, then I switched to green, then red. And I felt this weird flutter in my chest of enjoyment just from choosing color. It reminded me, "You're never too old to delight in the little things. You're never too old to have a favorite color." Sometimes we think growing up means narrowing down, getting more efficient, more focused, more serious. But what if growing up is also about expanding? Letting ourselves notice what we love without needing a reason, letting joy be enough. That's what play does. It brings you back to the present, to your senses, to color, texture, sound, so that little part of you that says, "This makes me happy, and that's enough." A few weeks ago, I found myself in the Dollar Store picking up candles. And I was in the school supply aisle, you know, where all the gel pens and sparkly notebooks live. And out of nowhere, I grabbed a pink glittery notebook. No reason, no plan, just sparkles. I don't know what came over me, but I bought it. And when I got home, I sat down and started writing in it. And it wasn't some deep introspective journaling. I was just doodling hearts, writing high and bubble letters, drawing stars in the margin like I was back in the seventh grade. And for the first time in a while, I felt this wave of joy. It made me think about how somewhere along the way, I started choosing the beige version of everything. Neutral notebooks, safe colors, sensible clothes, like I was subconsciously trying to match the seriousness of adulthood. But that pink notebook reminded me that I'm allowed to like what I like, even if it's sparkly, even if it's loud, even if it makes no sense to anyone else but me. And that's what play is. So when your inner child gently taps you on your shoulder and says, "Hey,...