Becoming more playful – can that be an intention?

Helllllooooo Yes!

Somewhere along the way we have lost our sense of play as adults. Exploring new worlds, seeing new things or seeing things differently. We are so caught up in rushing here and there. Living in the future and constantly thinking what needs to be done to get to there. Worse we are putting things off until later. When I get free time. When I have vacation. When I retire. When I…… You get the picture. The only time we have is now.

Play falls to the bottom on the list. We’re adults we don’t play! Okay why not? What makes play not an adult activity? Adults play sports, have hobbies those are often play. Maybe we have to expand our idea of play.

Play doesn’t have to be heading out to play hopscotch (but it could!!!)  It could be scheduling time in for a yoga class. Or wine tasting with friends. What about on-line paint night? Juicy book anyone?

If your intention is more play let’s brainstorm!  Write down any and all things you enjoy doing. Don’t look at whether it is “play” but things that make you smile, bring you joy.  Also consider activities you would like to try – say a dance class? Pottery?  Don’t take anything off the list.  Remember this is a brain dump – let is all spill out.

Drop in the comments what you come up with and we’ll report back. Yes play can be an intention and I think a great one. When we play we are positive and happy. That spills into other areas. Play!!!

 

Journaling as an intention

People overthink journaling. We want to start journaling but never seem to find the time. Part of that is we overthink it. We’re not writing our epic life story. At most we’re writing down a feeling we had that day or answering a journaling prompt.

Also we don’t have to journal every day. It is a journal not a diary. I do think it is helpful when starting to have some journaling prompts. Lots of us look at a blank page and that is the end of it. Nothing to say. Put the journal away.

So if establishing a journaling routine is our intention lets break it down. I’m going with a four month intention time frame. Remember this is not a resolution of firmly starting or ending an action. It is fluid. An intention.

Breakdown! Exciting part.

1. Remember we are breaking it down into smaller manageable steps. That gives us a sense of moving forward when we cross an item off – no matter how small.
2. Start with purchasing a pretty journal. Something that makes you smile when you look at it. Also a nice pen. I like to write by hand.  I find my thoughts are different when using a pen and paper compared to typing on a device. If you are using a device that is fine. First item crossed off your list! Remember to set a deadline to purchase your journal. Say within the first two weeks.
3. Head to PInterest or wherever and find some journaling prompts. Again set a deadline and have fun here. Yes, I know it is easy to go down other rabbit holes on Pinterest especially with crafts and holidays coming up. That is okay but remember the prompts first and than the rabbit holes.
4. Write them in your journal – maybe the back pages to refer to later. We want to have prompts for when we feel we have nothing to write about.
5. I don’t recommend setting specific dates for your journaling like Monday, Wednesday and Friday. What works for me is X many times a week. That way if Monday is shot Tuesday is okay or even Thursday. As along as you do the set amount of times you committed to. You might have to journal two or three days in a row. That is okay.
6. Be gentle and give yourself grace. Life happens. Remember you don’t have to write an epic entry. It can be a sentence or two. I felt like……when this happened. Or a funny thing someone said that day. Not all journaling has to be serious. Also remember you have your prompts at the back to refer to if stuck not nothing what to write.
7. During the four months look for more prompts. You don’t want to run out. Jot down questions you want to explore through journaling.
8. Just a suggestion, but what about taking your journal and writing at lunch time?  Head to a cafe, grab your favoriate beverage, relax and write.  This is also about finding time for our intention (yourself).
9. Remember this is only for four months. You get to set another intention in four month. Assess how you felt about this one.  Was it worth it? Will you be continuing? 

Here are a few journaling prompts to start you off:

What did you love to do as a child?

What would you tell your younger self?

If you could live anywhere in the world where would it be?

What does blue or red or yellow represent to you?

Favorite book and why?

What is your favorite holiday and why?

Ocean or lake? Beach or mountain vacation?

What would you like to collect if you had time and money?

Secret fantasy job?

If you came across interesting journaling prompts let us know.  Always good to have a few tucked away!

 

 

Setting an intention

Figuring out our intention is half the fun.  Do we want a feeling or to focus in on a project for the next four month?  

If you want a feeling say joyful or playful write that in the middle of a page.  Around it (or a list) write down everything that gives you that feeling.  Make sure you use all your senses.  Is there a certain smell?  A food?  Activity? This is a brain dump of ideas.  Write down everything – even if you think it can’t be done. No judging or eliminating. It all goes down.

Sit with it for a bit.  You might add more items to your page or not. All okay. We have set our intention to bring more X into our lives. We have four months to focus on this. Grab a cup of tea or coffee and start on your list. What can you start to schedule into your day? If reading brings you joy could you schedule in time at lunch to read? Making a reading hour at home with family (set a timer).  I think it is a good idea to give yourself a bit of a deadline say finish one book a month. Remember be flexible. Life happens.

If you have projects half finished or want to start something new pick one.  Remember to pick the one that excites you the most. Again we have to break this down.  We have four months so schedule time into your day or week to work on your project.  Break it down into pieces you can easily do.

If you want to write a novel break it down into an outline, scenes and character profiles.  Small writing jobs that are important. Also smaller pieces allow us to finish something. To check that box of two scenes written.  Scheduling and breaking down your project are crucial.  

You want to start journaling.  Break it down into 1) purchasing a pretty journal 2) looking for journaling prompts on the internet  3) picking a few out to do.  We gather momentum when we complete tasks. So purchasing a journal is a completed task. Check.

I think the biggest thing is to not set unreal expectations for ourselves. Four months might not be enough time to write a novel.  To go through every closet in the house and organize.  To learn a language. I hope you get the idea.  I’m not saying you can’t get this stuff done but we don’t want to feel overwhelmed.

So we are going to decide if it is a feeling we want to experience or a project we want to finish or start in the next four months.  Next brainstorm ideas of how to go about it.  Creating a schedule, being flexible and giving our self grace if we fall behind.  Re-examine what is happening. Maybe your project is too large – could it be broken down further? 

Remember intentions are determining an action or result. Intentions are organic and we can adjust them as we gather more information.  They are to help focus us on what we want to accomplish in four months (or your time frame).

Here is a download I hope lets you stay on tract.  Let the intentions begin!

my-intentionDownload