Pure PLAY!
Y’all know by now my Hustle and Play family is very important to me and the philosophies we practice have quite literally helped me reshape my life for the better. One thing we prioritize is PLAY for the well-being of our brains, bodies and beyond. I mean, anything we do in one part of our life trickles out into the rest, so imagine how more play could be beneficial from a holistic perspective.
Play is health care, creation and connection to oneself and/or to others. Play is self discovery, self expression and liberation. I’ve had to reimagine play as an adult while still considering little Ferris and what she enjoyed doing. As children, we are naturally closest to our most authentic selves, before external programming permeates our entire existence- so as children, our play is pure. It is very likely that you still enjoy some of the same things you did back then or that revisiting those things would be quite gratifying, if not cathartic.
How did you play as a child? How do you play now? Without influence, apologies or substances, what do you do for fun?
For example; this newsletter is play for me. I loved flipping through my mom’s magazines as a kid, before I was old enough to buy my own. I still love magazines today, especially local ones like Eastside Magazine and Content. The photos, the design element of product placement, fonts, colors, information, all of it! Now my adoration of magazines and journaling have merged into this newsletter and I’m in love!
Lastly, I think it’s important to consider that play doesn’t always look the same for everyone and sometimes doesn’t even look like play at all. What you like to do for fun might not be someone else’s idea of a good time and vice versa so who you choose to play with is instrumental. Consider a solo play date if necessary. One of my favorite things to do is try new coffee shops all by myself.
If solo adventures aren’t your thing, looking outside of your social circles and community to meet new people and make new friends might be the the way to go. It may take some trial and error but I encourage you to explore and be patient with the process.
Ok! Now get out there and PLAY! 🤸🏽♀️
Photo of the week: Comparing the bark of trees on a walk I took. The first one reminds me of the trees I climbed as a kid. The second type always stands out to me and I often have the urge to rub its cool, smooth surface. The third one intuitively feels ancient. Can you tell what type of tree each of these is? I can’t but I’m curious! Reply if you know.
StarBody Report
The last zodiac season of spring belongs to Gemini and begins tomorrow- May 20th-June 21st. Gemini season always feels like the beginning of summer to me even though we’re not quite there yet. I think it’s Gemini’s playful nature that makes me feel this way. Let’s continue the above conversation centering play and explore how embodying the spirit of Gemini can be both fun and beneficial to our health.
→Talk, teach, learn, flirt.
Gemini, in true air sign fashion, loves to conversate and ideate. They may seem flighty or scattered at times (and often they are) but that’s because they are constantly intaking and processing information. Play during Gemini season often looks like taking a class, reading a book or socializing with folks who bring curiosity, wit and a great sense of humor to the table.
→Movement.
Gemini rules the hands, arms, lungs and nervous system. One way to work your lungs out and regulate your nervous system is fun movement. Physical activity such as tennis, basketball or volleyball will get your arms and hands moving. If you don’t consider yourself particularly athletic, no worries. One of the main goals is to have fun so ping pong, air hockey or shooting hoops at an arcade would still engage all of the body parts we’re focusing on here.
→Bodywork.
If a spa day is play for you, you’ll like this one. Ask your practitioner to focus on your hands and arms. Gemini season is an excellent time for hand reflexology or just a general hand and arm massage. You could try lymphatic drainage or dry brushing as well.
Dry brushing is actually doable at home. Just lift your arm and run the brush from your wrist to your arm pit, where we have an abundance of lymph nodes. Do not drag the brush back and forth. Once you reach your pit with the brush, lift it off your arm and repeat from the wrist back down. Take this process to the next level by massaging your arm pit to activate your lymph nodes before you start brushing. Here’s a link to my favorite dry brush.
Til next week,
:) Ferris
“If we take care of the moments, the years will take care of themselves.”-Maria Edgeworth