Unlocking Your True Energy: Why "Acting Your Age" is Overrated
"Act your age." Ugh. If there's one piece of unsolicited advice that grates on my nerves, especially as an adult (and definitely when directed at me), it's that one. My 86-year-old mom just smiles and mutters, "He's just a big kid." But seriously, what does it even mean? Sit quietly? Obsess over the news? Never jump for joy for fear of pulling something? No, thank you. Play isn't just for toddlers or labradoodles; it's for everyone. Yet, as we get older, society constantly whispers (or sometimes shouts), "Grow up already! Be serious." And I always wonder, what if I simply don't want to?
The truth is, play isn't just for kids, or for adults pretending to be kids. It's the secret to a truly vibrant life, a sharp mind, and a soaring spirit – an energy trapped within that absolutely needs to be set free. I'll admit, when I'm swinging almost perpendicular on a tree swing, the "weeeeee" that escapes might be a tad high-pitched for a 59-year-old guy, but it perfectly captures that essence. Need proof? Even the National Institute on Aging points out that engaging in arts and creative activities helps reduce stress, boosts cognition, and can even stave off dementia. For me, play isn't frivolous; it's a critical survival strategy. And I embrace it unapologetically, trying to weave it into everything I do, sometimes to my family's dismay. Yes, that chopping knife can absolutely become a mighty sword ready to cleave a zucchini, often accompanied by a forceful "hiiiii-yaaa!"
But here's the rub: playing as an adult, especially a "grown-up" adult, isn't always easy. Why? Because there's this unspoken societal rule that once you hit a certain age, you should trade your Legos for liability insurance and your finger paints for self-assembly furniture. Anything playful or whimsical gets labeled "eccentric" or, worse, "childish." What's with the double standard? Kids run around pretending to be dinosaurs, and everyone applauds. I climb a few trees, pretending to be a monkey, and the neighbors are ready to call the fire department. Not fair!
The "Adult" Trap: Draining Our Energy
It certainly doesn't help that the world of adulthood seems designed to drain every last drop of playfulness from you. Bills, yard work (now with leaf blowers, of course), arguing about warranties – it feels like a full-time job just staying boring. Heaven forbid you pretend to be an elephant while blowing leaves into a pile, then jump into it afterward. And if we do carve out time for something genuinely fun, we second-guess ourselves. "Should I really take that pottery class? What if I'm terrible?" Newsflash: being terrible is half the fun! Play isn't about being good at something; it's about getting messy, laughing, and completely forgetting that the world expects you to have it all together. It's about letting your physical energy flow freely without judgment.
Then there's the social stigma. People roll their eyes when you try improv comedy at a dinner party, join a weekly game night, or decide to skateboard down your street. "Aren't you too old for that?" they ask, as if fun has an expiration date. "Let me get urgent care on the line, just in case." But you know who doesn't get those stares? Artists. Why? Because society gives them a free pass to be "weird." And here in Santa Cruz, where "Keep Santa Cruz Weird" is practically our motto, that's a big deal. So, if I call myself an "artistic tinkerer" (which, for the record, is exactly what I do), suddenly my tendency to color outside the lines is seen as "creative, even inspirational." Everyone else gets slapped with the "midlife crisis" label. But trust me, it's a lot more fun – and way cheaper – to throw gallons of paint at a canvas than it is to get a car loan for a new Porsche. It's about channeling your mental energy into joyful expression, not just rigid tasks.
Why Play Matters More Than Ever: Recharging Our Energy Within
On a more serious note, life often gets heavy. Responsibilities pile up, friends move away, family members pass on, and our bodies offer unsolicited and unexpected feedback at the worst times. Play is how we shake that off. It’s a rebellion against the grind, a vital reminder that life isn’t just about crossing items off a to-do list. It's how we recharge our spiritual energy when things feel draining.
Play is also how we connect. Dr. Stuart Brown, author of Play: How It Shapes the Brain, Opens the Imagination, and Invigorates the Soul, emphasizes that play is essential for building empathy and fostering relationships. That irreverent board game night? Or the evening with your 55+ friends where you act like teenagers, cracking goofy, inappropriate jokes, while your actual teenagers roll their eyes and escape as fast as possible? It’s not just fun; it’s therapy with snacks. It’s how we strengthen our relational energy, creating bonds that sustain us. Our emotional energy gets a much-needed boost when we allow ourselves to be silly and vulnerable with others.
So, how do we make play happen when every fiber of our being screams, "I don't want to look stupid, or I don't have time"? Start small. Tinker with something around the house or in the yard. Paint something a funky color. Test out a few comedy phrases with friends if you dare. Let yourself imagine and dream up ideas, no matter how wacky they seem. If anyone questions you, just tell them it's for your mental health and dare them to argue. That's why, whenever my best high school friend is in town, we naturally become Hans and Frans from Saturday Night Live. "We are here to puuuump you up!" spoken with perfect German accents. Our dialogue often goes on for minutes until our wives chime in with their versions, and then it "well, it’s different."
A Call to Un-Boring Arms: Releasing Your Trapped Energy
Here's my challenge to you: the next time someone tells you to "act your age" or something similar, respond with, "No thanks, I'm busy finger-painting my masterpiece." Reclaim your inner playful self, no matter how rusty it might have become. The world is serious enough without you adding to the pile. It's about letting that trapped energy within finally burst forth.
And for those of us lucky (or crazy) enough to embrace the title of "wannabe artist" or "creative tinkerer," let's keep leading the way. Keep tinkering, exploring, and proving that it's not only okay to play – it's absolutely essential. Because if we don't, who will remind the world that life's most beautiful and invigorating moments are often the silliest?
So, let's agree to ditch the grown-up act and bring back the magic of play. Are you in? Excellent. "Now pass me the glue gun, Hans, and let's start glittering those pumpkins for Thanksgiving." "Okay, Frans."