The Game of Life: Why You Should Start Playing Again

When Did Life Stop Being Fun? Have you ever stopped to wonder: When did I grow up? When did life go from a playground to a PowerPoint presentation? When did I stop being Homo Ludens (The Playing Human) and transform into Homo Seriousness (The Human Who Frowns at Emails)?

I asked myself this terrifying question the other day. I was watching kids play—running, screaming, inventing entire universes out of nothing but a stick and a good imagination. They had unlimited energy, like tiny, unbothered tornadoes of joy. And then I looked at the adults nearby—heads down, shoulders slouched, caffeine in one hand, existential dread in the other. You know what else I saw? Ads for energy boosters, testosterone supplements, and life coaching courses.

You ever seen a kid taking a “Find Your Passion” course? A toddler signing up for “Overcome Burnout in 30 Days”? Exactly. Because kids already know how to live. They play.

The Forgotten Power of Play

In 1938, Dutch historian Johan Huizinga wrote Homo Ludens, a book that argues play isn’t just a break from life—it is life. He claims that play shaped civilization itself: from law and war to art, philosophy, and even language. He defines play as something that is:

• Voluntary (you do it because you want to)

• Separate from “real life” (but still deeply meaningful)

• Structured by its own rules (like a game)

• Linked to joy, creativity, and discovery

Huizinga warns that when societies lose their sense of play, they lose their creativity, their connection, and even their sense of meaning. Sound familiar?

Animals Play for Life—Why Don’t We?

Here’s something wild: play is older than civilization itself. Even before humans built cities, animals were already playing.

Lions? They wrestle. Dolphins? They surf waves for fun. Even crows slide down snowy rooftops just because they can. And unlike us, animals don’t stop playing just because they get older. Sure, young cubs play all day, but even the elders still join in.

Meanwhile, humans? Play stops. Sports turn into competitions, dance becomes something you only do in a club (and only after two drinks), and if you try to do push-ups on the sidewalk, someone will call security. Adults need a reason to play. A designated place. A structured event. Otherwise, we feel ridiculous.

Why? Because somewhere along the way, we decided that play is for kids, and seriousness is for adults.

Play Is the Secret to Connection

Think back to when you were a kid. How did you make friends? You played. You climbed trees together. You made up games. You laughed.

Now, how do adults make friends? Networking events. Small talk. Awkward coffee meetings. No wonder it’s so hard.

Relationships—friendships, romantic, even work relationships—thrive on playfulness. Ever met someone who drains your energy? Someone who makes every interaction feel like a transaction? That’s a person who’s forgotten how to play. Play isn’t just games—it’s a way of being. It’s in your tone, your body language, your jokes, your willingness to be silly.

Play is a spectrum, not a button. And the more you bring it into your life, the more alive you feel.

Burnout: The Fire That Stops Burning

I’ve always found the term burnout kind of hilarious. Like, am I literally on fire? Am I Katniss Everdeen? Is this the Hunger Games?!

But the metaphor makes sense. Burnout happens when the fire that once fueled you is completely gone. And here’s the crazy part—play is fire.

Think about it. Soccer players who once loved the game start to hate it when it turns into nothing but pressure. Musicians stop making music when it becomes just a job. The second play turns into pure obligation, the spark starts dying.

Play is what keeps the fire alive. And if you’ve lost it, maybe it’s time to rekindle it.

Ronaldinho and the concept of play

Why We Need to Start Playing Again

Society tricks us into thinking play is for kids. That adulthood is about deadlines, efficiency, and squeezing every last drop of productivity out of our existence. But Huizinga warns us—when a culture loses play, it loses creativity, innovation, and joy. And let’s be honest: that sounds a lot like the world we live in.

Our school system reflects this perfectly. In kindergarten? All play. By university? All stress. At work? Even worse. Somewhere along the way, playtime vanished, replaced with calendars, KPIs, and existential dread.

But what if we fought back?

How to Reclaim Play in Your Life

You don’t need to take up a new hobby. You don’t need to “schedule” playtime (though, if you’re a hardcore planner, go for it). You just need to shift your mindset. Here’s how:

• Kick a ball as hard as you can. Just for fun. No reason. Just do it.

• Jump. See how high you can go. Who cares if people are watching?

• Count the stars. Make up a story about them.

• Sing a Disney song at full volume. Extra points if it’s Let It Go.

• Dance like nobody’s watching—or like everyone is, and they love it.

• Play air guitar. Even if you suck. Especially if you suck.

• Laugh more. Find the humor in things. Life’s a ridiculous game—treat it like one.

• Spend time with kids. They are the true masters of life. Watch them. Learn.

Life is a Game—Play it Well

Look, animals may play less as they age, but they never stop completely. And neither should we. Play isn’t something we outgrow—it’s something we should grow back into.

Huizinga’s Homo Ludens reminds us that play isn’t a luxury—it’s a fundamental part of being human. It fuels creativity, strengthens relationships, and makes life actually fun again.

If even dolphins, elephants, and crows can find time to play, why can’t we? Maybe the real lesson here is simple:

Stop waiting for permission. Stop making excuses. Just play. Even at your job, don’t forget the playfulness.

So, when was the last time you truly played? Maybe it’s time to start again.