What if the secret to greater happiness isn’t doing more—but doing life more playfully?
“This is the real secret of life — to be completely engaged with what you are doing in the here and now. And instead of calling it work, realize it is play.” Alan Watts
We often look for happiness in big transformations, major victories, or dramatic life changes. Yet some of the happiest moments aren’t grand at all—they’re the ones where life feels like play. When our actions stop feeling like chores and start feeling like creative expression, something in us lightens. We breathe easier. We smile more. We reconnect with the part of ourselves that remembers joy.
Each late afternoon, I’m in the kitchen preparing a healthy meal. It could be an ordinary task—chop, sauté, simmer, serve. But I choose to make it playful. I pretend I’m on a TV cooking show, racing the clock, competing with other contestants only I can see. I work to bring every part of the meal together perfectly at the last second. I throw in my “secret ingredient” (LOL) and plate my dish like I’m about to present it to the judges. When I finish, I toss my hands up like I just beat the buzzer. It’s silly. It’s fun. And it transforms my whole mood.
Even writing this post becomes play. I don’t approach it as a “blog entry.” I see it as a personal note to one reader—you—as if we’re sharing a friendly conversation over coffee. That mindset turns work into joy.
Somewhere along the line, the small boy or girl inside us gets buried under responsibilities, schedules, and shoulds. But that child is still there, waiting to come out and remind us what delight feels like. When we let playfulness back into our lives, we don’t just complete tasks—we enrich them. We brighten our days. We become happier, healthier, and more alive.
Let’s bring play back into daily living.
Your inner child has been waiting.
Question for Readers
What everyday task could you turn into a playful moment this week?