Sometimes I wish my brain had a pause button. Or better yet, a shuffle function. Instead of always sprinting straight to the point, I’d love to take detours now and then, get lost in the twists and turns of my own thoughts, and simply enjoy the moment. But no, my mind craves structure, goals, efficiency. Straight to the point. No detours, no unnecessary embellishments. And yet… something nags at me. A small voice whispering, “What if you were a little more *ludic*?” More playful, more relaxed, less tied to the idea that everything has to have a purpose. Because honestly, why always take the shortest route when the detour might be so much more fun?
As a child, I had no trouble playing. I could get lost in imaginary worlds for hours, invent stories, and go on grand adventures with nothing more than a few random objects found around the house. But somewhere along the way, between growing up and taking on responsibilities, that playfulness got buried under layers of practicality. Now, my mind runs on to-do lists, schedules, and the satisfaction of checking off tasks. And while that brings a certain sense of accomplishment, I sometimes miss the carefree joy of doing something just for the sake of it. Just because I can.
I believe playfulness is an underrated superpower. It’s a way to make life feel lighter. To stop taking everything so seriously and to release the constant pressure of being “useful.” What if I drew more often without a goal, just doodling on paper? Or took my camera without hunting for the perfect shot? Maybe even danced in the kitchen without worrying about how I look? It sounds so simple, yet it feels like a challenge.
I want to challenge myself to do things just for fun. No reason, no end goal. Small experiments in playfulness. Seeing what it feels like to loosen my grip a little. Maybe it won’t work right away. Maybe my brain will resist, trying to impose order on the chaos. But maybe—just maybe—it will set me free.
