Feeling Stuck? Try Play

There’s a moment, when you finally stop holding back. And it feels like an exhale after a breath you didn’t realize you’d been holding.

Photo: Unsplash

Maybe it’s the tearful laugh that comes after sharing a story you've carried for years. Or the way your body finally lets go when you’re moving freely, without worrying how you look. Or that sudden spark of joy when someone meets your silliness with their own, and you feel safe enough to just be yourself.

That’s play. Not the shallow kind, but the kind that softens old defenses, invites us into presence, and reminds us that joy is part of healing.

The Kind of Play That Heals

Play isn’t something we outgrow. It’s the way we return to ourselves. Sometimes it’s laughter that makes your cheeks ache. Other times it’s the quiet flow of painting, moving without caring how you look, or losing track of time in a conversation that feels alive.

The kind of play that heals often looks like:

• Sharing stories: Telling and listening to stories that help us reframe how we see ourselves and others

  
  

• Gentle challenges: Trying something new, taking a playful risk, or stepping a little outside our comfort zone.

  
  

• Emotional resets: Using humor or creativity to shift the energy when things feel stuck or heavy.

  
  

• Curiosity: Asking questions and leaning into imagination without needing a “right answer.”

  
  

• Embodied flow: Letting go of self-consciousness and being in the moment, whether through movement, art, music, or even stillness.

  
  

• Connection: Finding joy together, in ways that strengthen trust and belonging.

At its core, play awakens curiosity, the spark that helps us loosen old patterns and see ourselves with new eyes.

The Doorway to Joy: Emotional Freedom

When curiosity leads the way, something powerful opens up: emotional freedom. This is the space to feel fully, express authentically, and release what we’ve been holding onto. Without it, emotions can harden into old stories or show up as stress in the body.

When we cultivate emotional freedom, we:

• Create space for healing by letting emotions move instead of bottling them up.

• Build resilience because feelings no longer define us, they pas through.

• Deepen relationships by showing up authentically and fostering trust.

• Reclaim joy by making room for lightness and play.

Emotional freedom is what makes laughter possible after grief, curiosity possible after fear, and joy possible in the midst of healing. It’s what allows play to not just distract us, but carry us through.

How Play Heals Us

Therapeutically, play does far more than lift our mood. It opens doors to deeper healing across mind, body, and story.

• In narrative therapy, play invites us to tell our stories in new ways. A playful prompt or imaginative moment can loosen the grip of old scripts like, “I always mess up” or “I can’t trust anyone”, and make room for more hopeful, empowering ones.

  
  

• In play therapy, joy and curiosity become tools for processing emotions. Even as adults, stepping into playful exploration gives us space to try on new perspectives, rehearse flexibility, and discover solutions that thinking alone can’t unlock.

  
  

• In somatic therapy, play reconnects us with the wisdom of the body. Whether it’s laughter that shakes tension loose or movement that invites release, play regulates the nervous system and resources balance where stress has taken root.

When viewed through these lenses, play is not an escape from reality. Instead, it’s a pathway into deeper connection with ourselves and each other.

In a culture that often prizes productivity over presence, play helps us remember that healing doesn’t always have to be hard work.

When Play Feels Out of Reach

As we get older, play can start to feel uncomfortable. There may be a voice that says, “This is silly,” or a fear of being judged. Some of us carry stories from childhood that taught us play was unsafe, unproductive, or a distraction from “serious” things. Others may feel rusty, unsure of how to even begin. 

This resistance is natural. It’s simply a signal that play is inviting us into new territory.

Overcoming Resistance

• Start small: Notice opportunities for lightness, whether on your own or with others. It could be laughing at a small mistake instead of criticizing yourself, playing with words while journaling, or pausing to share a joyful moment with someone close to you.

  
  

• Notice the body: Pay attention to how your body responds to play. Maybe your jaw unclenches when you laugh, or your breath deepens when you move freely. Let those cues guide you.

  
  

• Give yourself permission: Remind yourself that play isn’t wasted time. Whether you’re doodling alone, being silly with a child, or telling a story that sparks laughter, you're engaging in an act of care and healing.

  
  

• Lean on others: Sometimes play feels easier with company. Invite a trusted friend or group to join in a playful practice. Share stories, try something new, or simply allow space for laughter together.

Moving through resistance restores both joy and emotional freedom, giving us space to feel fully, express authentically, and release the weight of what holds us back. 

Play isn’t something we outgrow. It’s the way we return to ourselves.

Why Play Matters Now

In a culture that often prizes productivity over presence, play helps us remember that healing doesn’t always have to be hard work. It invites us to drop our guard, laugh until our shoulders soften, and connect with others in ways that feel alive and real. Play is a doorway to emotional freedom, helping us loosen control and rediscover the freedom of simply being ourselves.

A Reflection for You

I invite you to notice:

• When do moments of play show up in your daily life?

• When was the last time you laughed or got curious with self-judgment?

• What resistance do you notice when you think about play, and how might you gently move through it?

• How might play offer you a resent, a reframe, or a reminder that joy and emotional freedom belong in your healing?

Feeling stuck is part of being human. But joy is never out of reach. Play reminds us that we are not only built for resilience, but also for joy. And sometimes, the lightest moments lead us into the deepest truths about ourselves and one another.