I once read that playtime is essential to any creative activity. A person simply can’t be creative if there isn’t scheduled time to play, no matter what their job is or how time consuming their tasks can be on any given day.

This reminds me of some initiatives that companies have taken: assigning special spaces in the workplace to play ping-pong, video games and other games. Their objective is to encourage their collaborators to take a break and have fun.

“How can I make time to play if I’m already an adult, and I have a lot of responsibilities?” Life can certainly feel overwhelming at times, but pushing aside playtime can aggravate health.

Play and creativity are mechanisms of action.

Humanity’s natural condition isn’t to stuff themselves into suits and ties and manipulate spreadsheets all day. Human beings like and need to be creative, and sometimes that creative spark needs to be nourished, even with something as apparently insane as adult recess or coloring books.

matt davis

An aspect of our job as adults involves playing. That’s when we can be truly creative. In order to combine both creativity and play, we need a more relaxed environment to experience that childlike freedom.

I still recall the time I worked at a company that took pride in having “creative meetings.” Collaborators from different departments got together every Monday morning, and the organizer would ask someone at random: “tell me a creative idea to improve the company’s productivity.” It was brutal.

Creativity doesn’t live in a cubicle or a meeting room. It lives in environments that invite curiosity, movement, and fun.

How does play look like to you?