Listen
A playful attitude activates creativity, develops emotional flexibility, and exercises your imagination. It even reduces stress!
Yet for many, when they even think about being more playful, the Inner Voice of Disapproval starts saying, “Don’t be foolish! You need to grow up and be serious. What will they think?” As we grow up, we typically grow away from the playful nature of our spirit. Eagerness, curiosity, enthusiasm, and joy are all aspects of play. Would you like more of those feelings in your life right now?
Now, tune into your body. How does it feel about being a little more playful? Do you have a sense of “want to!” Do you also feel some conflicting energy?
- Can’t!
- Shouldn’t!
- Not safe!
- I’ll get in trouble!
- Too busy!
Energy tapping is a practical way to start resolving these energy conflicts that restrict your creativity and constrain your joy. In this brief exercise, we identify one limiting belief and tap on it. You can listen using the control at the top of this article or read the transcript (PDF).
Any task can be approached with a little more playfulness… even whistling while scrubbing the dishes can shift your energy and turn drudgery into okay… even mildly enjoyable.
More broadly in your life, bringing playful energy helps you think outside the box and stay open to surprising insights that elude the most self-critical thinkers. Innovators in every field have a certain playful quality. If a belief is standing in the way of your playful self, notice what it predicts would happen if you loosened up just a little, and tap with that specific fear or warning in mind.
For now… Whee!