Push Play, the Best Advice for Living a Wholehearted Life
On Monday, I was looking over my to-do list and found I had no plans for the day. In the morning, I started a painting project in my neighbor's apartment that was not much fun. I endeavor to put some fun in my daily routine. If not fun, at least some relaxation. So, I penciled in a nap, reclined my lounge chair, and crashed out.
It occurred to me when I woke up that my Crohn’s treatment, Stelara, was kicking in from the night before. Had I not taken a break for some downtime, I could have pushed on and missed my chance to do my body some good. n
What am I reading this week?
The Gifts of Imperfection | Brené Brown
My main takeaway is the power of play. What ever
In "The Gifts of Imperfection," Brené Brown dedicates one of her ten guideposts to "Cultivating Play and Rest"—a concept that might seem frivolous at first but proves profoundly important for wholehearted living.
Brown defines play as something we do simply because it's fun, not because it accomplishes something or checks a box. She draws on research by Dr. Stuart Brown (no relation), who found that play is essential to human development and well-being throughout our lives, not just childhood. The absence of play is linked to depression and reduced capacity for innovation and creativity.
My first takeaway is that we all need to spend more time thinking about what is of value to us and less time doing just about anything else, other than procuring Girl Scout cookies when they are in season.
What makes Brown's treatment of play so compelling is her recognition of how resistant many adults are to it. In our productivity-obsessed culture, play feels indulgent or wasteful. We've internalized the message that our worth comes from what we produce, how busy we are, and what we accomplish. Play, by its nature, defies these metrics—it's done for its own sake, with no outcome to justify it.
Brown challenges readers to identify what play means to them personally. For some, it might be dancing, gardening, playing games, making art, or goofing around with children. The key is that it feels rejuvenating rather than depleting, and we engage in it without needing to justify or optimize it.
She also connects play to vulnerability. Allowing ourselves to be playful requires letting go of self-consciousness and the need to look productive or serious. It asks us to be present, spontaneous, and even a little silly—all of which can feel risky in a culture that values control and achievement.
The pairing of play with rest in this guidepost is intentional. Brown argues that both resist the cultural pressure to constantly produce and prove our value. By reclaiming our right to play, we reconnect with joy, creativity, and our essential humanity beyond what we can offer or accomplish.
My big takeaway is that you have to work. Work with the questions from the book like they are a word problem test from junior high. It’s funny to ask myself these questions and realise I have spent zero time pondering them ever.