Let’s Dance
It seems that everywhere you turn, there’s a reason to stay stoic, focused, and worried. But in the midst of all that, what if we let ourselves be a little foolish? What if we prioritized fun, not as a luxury, but as a necessity for our wellbeing?
Play is often seen as something reserved for children, but it’s something adults desperately need, too. It’s how we reconnect with ourselves, how we stay flexible in a rigid world, and how we remind ourselves that not everything has to be so heavy all the time. April Fool’s Day is the perfect time to talk about why we should all be leaning into play, spontaneity, and a little bit of silliness.
Play – Not Just for Kids
For me, play comes through song and dance. I whistle in the shower. I turn cooking into a full theatre production. I do improv bits with my family until we’re crying-laughing. Play, in its purest form, is unfiltered joy. And the biggest barrier to that joy? Convincing ourselves that we should only have fun in “appropriate” ways, at “appropriate” times.
But why? Why should fun have to be earned? Why do we feel like we need permission to be a little silly? Play, just like art and creativity, should be something we make space for without guilt.
A Dynamic Duo
Play and creativity are deeply connected—almost like siblings. Play is the younger one, full of chaotic energy and spontaneity. Creativity is the older one, a little more refined, a little more structured, but still fueled by that same spark of excitement. Play grows into creativity, and creativity started as play.
Play reminds creativity to loosen up, to take risks, to have fun. Creativity keeps play from running too wild, shaping it into something meaningful. They need each other. And when we stop playing, we risk cutting off the flow of creativity that makes life interesting.
The Whimsy Boom
Right now, whimsy is trending at an all-time high. Call it an act of resistance against a world that feels more draining by the day, but people are actively searching for small ways to inject joy into their routines. You’ve probably seen it—the rise of calling errands “adventures”, blowing a kiss to yourself in the mirror, naming your plants, and talking to your furniture and household appliances. The “Whimsigoth” aesthetic even mixes dark, moody themes of modern times with a sort of retro, playful, mystical charm.
At its core, this isn’t just an internet moment. It’s a collective act of making the mundane magical. It’s people refusing to let the world strip away their sense of wonder.
Foolishness is in the Cards
In tarot, The Fool is the card of endless possibility. It represents potential, fresh starts, and the thrilling (and sometimes terrifying) moment of stepping into the unknown. Picture it: a figure standing at the edge of a cliff, eyes wide with wonder, a small bag slung over their shoulder, ready to take the first step on a journey they don’t fully understand yet. They don’t know where they’ll land—but they’re going anyway.
What makes The Fool so powerful is their willingness to embrace uncertainty and intuition. They don’t need a perfect plan. They don’t need every risk calculated and every outcome guaranteed. They move forward because they trust—trust in themselves, trust in the journey, trust that even if they stumble, they’ll get back up.
Have Fun. Seriously.
If nothing else, I hope this inspires you to find joy in unexpected places. To try something new, even if you might fail.
Play is essential. Fun is essential. We owe it to ourselves to stop waiting for an “acceptable” time and just… go for it.
So go on…be a little foolish today. You’ll be better for it.