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Begin by choosing a journaling guide or prompt that sparks your curiosity about play, whether it’s recalling a favorite childhood game or exploring how you invite playfulness into your daily life. Set aside a few minutes in a comfortable space, allowing yourself to approach the prompt with an open and imaginative mindset. Let your writing flow freely—don’t worry about grammar or structure—focusing instead on capturing memories, sensations, and emotions connected to playful moments. Try experimenting with different formats, such as lists of playful activities, sketches, or short stories about times you felt most alive and joyful. If you feel stuck, revisit the prompt from a new angle or ask yourself how play shows up in unexpected places. Reflect on how your relationship with play has changed over time and consider what playful experiences you’d like to invite into your future. Most importantly, approach each prompt with a sense of curiosity and lightness, allowing your journal to become a space for rediscovering fun and creativity.

Read more tips on how to start and keep a journaling practice that can guide your wellness and personal growth.

Journaling about Play offers a unique opportunity to reconnect with joy, creativity, and spontaneity, all of which are essential for well-being at any age. Reflecting on playful experiences can help reduce stress, boost mood, and enhance problem-solving skills by encouraging a mindset of curiosity and experimentation. Research shows that engaging with play, even through reflection, can increase resilience and foster social connection, as play is linked to the release of endorphins and the strengthening of neural pathways associated with learning and adaptability. By exploring moments of playfulness in writing, individuals can cultivate a greater sense of freedom and self-expression, supporting both emotional and cognitive health.

Learn about the science-backed benefits of journaling along with primary sources.