SUSAN TIPPETT BRAITHWAITE

Rediscovering Play

When life has been a whirlwind of to-do lists and work, rediscovery is the name of the game. Thanks to ‘The Artist’s Way,’ I’ve been nudged to reconnect with the joys that spark creativity and fun. So, in no particular order, here are my five go-to activities when the word ‘productivity’ needs to be shown the door.

1. The Halo Haven

Nothing beats the thrill of gaming. From the day the first Xbox came out, I’ve been hooked on the Halo franchise (until they stopped with couch co-op ????). There’s a certain kind of joy and relaxation you can only get from a sweet headshot when you’re on sniper duty. Oh, and then there’s also the unadulterated fun of joining your partner on a suicide run to the end of the level… only to work backwards through the level—I tell you, Hunters don’t know what’s hit them when you do it. ?

Or there’s the perverse joy found in driving games where your creative driving style creates utter mayhem and carnage for your other half or the AI you’re racing against. ?

2. Metal is Therapy

There’s nothing like the power of music to pull you out of a negative headspace and transport you into a positive one. All I have to do is pop in my earbuds, crank up the volume to an ill-advised level and let the therapeutic sounds of Slipknot, Soil, and Nonpoint to blast away the pressures of the week while I bounce around the place with the grace of a drunk horse. In no time, I’m laughing and exuding a joy that no one can ignore. No one. No. One. ?

3. Beach Day Fun

The beach is where we rediscover the kid within us. When I get to the beach, that’s it! My shoes are off, and I’m five years old again. Scrunching my toes in the sand and eyeing the shoreline…

… then Jez…

… and then it’s a race to the water. Granted, Jez is a cheat. Pointing out pretty stones, he knows I can’t resist stopping to pocket.

4. Crafting Creativity

Give me some wool, scrap fabric, blank sheets of sticker paper, or basic ingredients, and I’m in my element. Whether baking, sewing a new skirt, crocheting flowers and hats, or creating stickers for my planner (and anything else begging for stickers), they all feel like magic to me. The kind of magic I’ll never tire of.

5. Pedal-Powered Adventures

Biking is ingrained in my soul. Ever since I could ride a bike, I’ve been in love with two-wheeled travel. CRPS makes it impossible for me to ride the bikes I used to, and I went over a decade without even touching one. Then, my beloved e-bike Kali reignited that passion.

Getting back on a bike after all that time and with the CRPS, I worried that I’d be limited in how far I could go. I needn’t have worried. Within a few trips, we did a fifty-mile round trip!

I’ll admit it: Cycling is painful for me, but pain is a constant companion; that’s the nature of the CRPS beast. Yet, the pain can’t even come close to competing with the exhilaration of the wind whipping your hair about you as you freewheel down a ridiculously steep hill.

---

What activities make you toss the clock out the window? I’d love to hear about your fun list in the comments. Let’s inspire each other to play more and work a little less.

Until next time, let the good times roll!

Stay awesome,

Susan x