a case for playing (mindfully)
or why you need to find an energizing hobby.
Soccer practice, piano lessons, ballet—my days are filled with dedicated tasks that I hope will ensure my kids have ample opportunities for growth and learning. I wouldn’t have it any other way, but parenting also requires us to strive for balance by making space for our own joy and well-being.
Recently, I stumbled upon the concept of "energizing hobbies" and their profound significance for living a joyful life. Energizing hobbies are activities that invigorate us, leaving us feeling fulfilled and excited about life. They offer us precious opportunities to prioritize our own joy.
Dr. Carla Marie Manly, a clinical psychologist and author of Joy from Fear, describes energizing hobbies as invitations to engage our body, mind, and spirit, creating a sense of flow that banishes stress and worry. An energizing hobby not only provides immediate gratification, but also activates a flow state in the brain by boosting dopamine levels associated with happiness. The lingering effects of these feel-good chemicals promote overall well-being, extending beyond the activity itself.
An energizing hobby essentially give us a third emotional space. A space separate from our relationships or work. It is anything that you do solely for the purpose of joy, engaging yourself wholly in the activity without any achievement markers or status attached to it. Embracing something for the sake of the joy, aligning with your internal desires.
If you're unsure where to begin, reflecting on childhood interests can spark inspiration. What activities did you love as a kid? Whether it was building with Legos, baking with an Easy-Bake Oven, or coloring. Giving ourselves permission to play and prioritize our joy, we demonstrate to our little ones the transformative power of living authentically. Happy parents are indeed the architects of happy children, for in nurturing our own happiness, we bestow upon our little ones the greatest gift of all—the gift of a life well-lived.
One last thing…
Remember go on happy walk and subscribe to my youtube, because Emilia’s show is debuting very soon!
Aniella.