Relearning to Play
We are all familiar with the idea of entropy. As time goes on, everything tends to break down into a lower state of energy. Our lives have a similar force, but it seems to make things more complicated.
As we age, we take on more responsibility and have more obligations. We get jobs, form relationships, go into debt, deal with drama, get married, have kids, etc. Some of these things bring us immense joy, but to get there we have to lose something.
Our creativity and ability to play.
I am an avid boardgame and roleplaying game enthusiast. My family and I recently moved to a small town in a new country. Despite our best efforts we haven't found anyone to play games with in 6 months. People look at us like we're being silly. The mod on the local social media page even blocked our post inviting people to play.
We realised that some people go their whole lives 'growing up', but don't realise they are leaving behind something wonderful. Their ability to play.
Children are instinctively creative. They can make games out of everything and anything, as well as delve into playing out scenarios from the mundane to the surreal. We as adults have to actively unlearn that behaviour by overwriting it with things that we deem more useful to us. I'd argue that play is still a useful tool for adults. It acts as stress relief, is a needed escape, boosts your thinking, is a creative outlet, and improves your relationships. Just to name a few.
Picasso said it wonderfully, “Every child is an artist. The problem is how to remain an artist once he grows up”. I'm sure you've heard that one before.
I do not know who, if anyone, will read this. I am writing this first blog post in the spur of the moment. But if you are someone who thinks that playing games is silly or childish, perhaps reconsider. Visit your local game store or check online for people looking for players in your area. Or perhaps even buy a boardgame on a whim to play with your family.
Relearn to be the child you once were.
Originally Published: 13 Aug, 2022
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The Eucatastrophic
A Blog About Games
Status | In development |
Category | Physical game |
Author | Jason Christopher Burrows |
Tags | blog, OSR, Tabletop role-playing game |
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