I was driving, when I suddenly thought about ‘play’. As children, we are encouraged to use play as a learning mechanism. Early education is logged through play and interactions. My brain began to think of play as an important factor in everybody’s lives.
Once we grow up, we are kept from playing, to a certain extent. One could argue there’s a change in context, that being adults are bound to playing in a relatively mature manor. No more screaming for a toy, or ‘Whooshing’ that little car over the carpet. Getting older means playing with real cars, building a shed or taking sports to a competitive level.
What if we were to allow adults to enjoy toys with an immature sensibility? Create an environment of expression and wonder. Maybe not, we grow up for a reason, don’t we?
A better way to look at it would be to stop the idea that being older is less fun. As we navigate the world through bills, weather and family matters, we should make sure that our down-time is our own. The so-called leisure pursuits can be made up of a basic sense of enjoyment, if that’s what is wanted. Lego is still seen as a toy, which at it’s core, it is, but, it is also beyond that, in many ways. Aside for my love of Lego as a collectible, I use it to prototype ideas. I have used it to solve problems. At this point, it is no longer a toy, but a practical design tool, problem solution and learning apparatus.
Do I find Lego fun? Yes. Do I ‘play’ with it? In a sense, yes! My point in all of this, is that regardless of age, play is still a huge part of life. To play, is to create a new reality. We can create a distance between us and our troubles. Maybe, we could create a better future with it. Maybe, we could spark a positive mental health revolution. Whatever you like, follow that joy and ‘Whoosh’ those cars.
