The Opposite of Play is...
My little girl is starting to learn about opposites. Today she took me on a word journey where she would state a word and say its opposite, things like “hot is the opposite of cold” or “off is the opposite of on” gleaming with pride in her understanding as I nodded agreement.
Feeling it out a bit more, she ventured some other suggestions:
“The opposite of play is no play”.
My first reaction was to correct her and say: “Work. The opposite of play is work”.
But I stopped and asked myself, “Is it, or did I just learn to believe it is?”
Looking at it from my daughter’s perspective, I realised that in her innocence she had no concept of work in the way that I understood it.
In her mind, there was only play or no play.
When I thought about it, I recalled all the times she would insist on helping me “work”. Whether that was tapping away on a document or a Teams chat/call on my work laptop, or helping me with household chores. It was all play.
The concept of work, how an adult views it at least as something hard, struggle and sacrificial doesn’t exist for her.
To a child, anything that provides the opportunity for curiosity, creativity, exploration, inspiration, experimentation, fun and joy is considered to be play.
Even work.
It got me thinking about my own perspective of work and life.
It took me ages to leave teaching because of the ingrained beliefs I held that life and work were supposed to be hard and sacrificial. It’s only been as I’ve allowed myself space to question these underlying assumptions that I’ve allowed the notion of Life as play to unfold.
Isn’t it amazing how a child naturally has this orientation but that the socialisation and conditioning we undergo teach us that this is not truth.
Even in this small interaction with my daughter, I receive confirmation that it is my beliefs which create my life and that life itself is ready to create itself around whatever we believe it is.
I would rather choose to live a life of play than a life of work and hard.
And I am glad because it is really a choice, or maybe I should say an orientation and I am choosing to orient myself to play.
What about you?
Embodied Living: Step into Playful Transformation
Imagine reconnecting with yourself in a way that feels light, curious, and alive—like rediscovering the joy of play. The Embodied Living programme invites you to shift your life’s orientation from struggle and sacrifice to ease and intentional creation.
This isn’t about fixing or healing. It’s about expanding. Together, we’ll uncover the beliefs and patterns holding you back, explore your deepest desires, and create actionable pathways to embody the life you truly want.
This is an experience grounded in presence, intuition, and a deep sense of curiosity about what’s possible for you.
What You’ll Gain
A deeper understanding of yourself and how your current beliefs shape your reality.
A clearer vision of what you truly desire in life and how to orient yourself toward it.
Practical steps and transformational insights that help you shift from "no play" to a life infused with creativity, joy, and exploration.
A guided, supportive space to experiment with new ways of being while reconnecting to life in a meaningful way.
Who This Is For
This programme is designed for those ready to embrace transformation with curiosity and playfulness. You might feel drawn to this work if:
You sense there is more to life and you’re ready to align with it.
You want to connect more deeply with yourself and the flow of life.
You’re spiritually open and curious, willing to experiment and explore.
You’re ready to take responsibility for your life and your creations.
You desire guidance that’s empowering and rooted in both wisdom and practicality.
Who This Isn’t For
This work is not for you if:
You’re looking for therapy or a focus on healing deep trauma.
You’re unwilling to take responsibility for your life and actions.
You hold rigid beliefs (spiritual or otherwise) that prevent openness and curiosity.
Investment in Yourself
Your journey begins with a £20 Initial Call, where we’ll explore your desires and ensure this programme is the right fit for you. If it is, your investment is £230 for the full programme.
Registration Closes Soon!
Start your year with intentional, playful transformation. Spots are limited, and registration at this price closes tomorrow (24/11/2024). Book your Initial Call today and take the first step towards the life you know is possible.
This reflection is beautiful and a powerful reminder that we can consciously choose our perspective and create a life aligned with joy, curiosity, and play. Thank you for sharing this! What a gift to see life so clearly through a child’s lens.