Curiosity, Creativity, and Play: The Key Ingredients for Personal and Professional Growth
Rediscovering Play Can Open Doors You Never Knew Existed
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Play Fosters Kinship
When I was a little girl, our go-to game was 'Sister, Sister,' inspired by the popular series starring twins Tia and Tamera Mowry. My best friend and I looked nothing alike; my milk chocolate skin contrasted with her light caramel hue, but we were kindred spirits. Our childhoods were lonesome. We were the youngest of three in our respective families, with siblings over a decade older than us. We bonded over Barbie dolls, fashion, video games, and cooking, spending endless summer days lost in the worlds we created.
Playing "Sister, Sister" meant countless hours of pretending we were grown up—and by grown up, I mean 14-year-olds with boyfriends who rode motorcycles 🙃. We revelled in the fantasy of freedom, begging our parents to let us play just a little longer. In that timeless world where reality and imagination blurred, I discovered an ark of belonging—a haven where I could be myself.
In retrospect, our invented sisterhood was more than just a game—it was a remedy for our loneliness. Since then, I've learned that play can be multifaceted in its definition and how it enriches our life experiences. Play, in its simplest form, is about doing something purely for the joy of it—without the pressure of productivity or purpose. The concept of play will look different for each of us; for some, it's playing a sport; others may enjoy watching movies, while others may immerse themselves in the arts. For me, reconnecting with playfulness has meant enrolling in voice lessons, writing songs, exploring generative AI, painting, and, most recently, taking my first guitar lesson.
While rekindling a playful spirit can be a transformative experience, no matter your stage in life, societal expectations often force us to prioritise practicality. This mindset leads many of us to suppress our creative impulses in favour of more 'mature' pursuits. As a preteen, I bought into that notion and proudly announced to my best friend that I would no longer be playing with Barbie dolls. In my mind, we had more pressing matters to attend to; after all, we were about to enter seventh grade. We were both accepted into the same all-girls high school, and all I could envision was us living out scenes from our favourite shows like Saved by the Bell and Beverly Hills 90210. We'd get to dress up for school dances, canoodle with cute boys, and finally do all the things we once pretended to do in our game of 'Sister, Sister'.
Play is Self-Discovery
Unbeknownst to me, my preteen dreams were about to be dashed. Right before graduation, my parents announced that our family was relocating to the Jamaican countryside and that I would attend a small private high school run by the Seventh-Day Adventist church. Suddenly, my well-intentioned choice to leave play behind was about to be tested.
Leaving bustling St. Andrew for rural Manchester felt like exile. In the early 2000s, with no social media or messaging apps, I might as well have moved to another planet. There were no cinemas, fast food, or social gatherings; my only companions were the silence and the hum of nature. Though I thought I had left behind the imaginative worlds of my girlhood, the spirit of play remained a stalwart; it understood the assignment and wasn't done with me yet.
Despite my life's unexpected turn, one dream was still within my reach. Something my teen idols all shared was the habit of keeping a journal—a private space where they could share their thoughts. As I faced the reality of leaving a fast-paced life in the city filled with familiar faces for the rolling hills of Manchester, I turned to writing to make sense of my new world. Journaling became my new form of play, a space where I could be uninhibited.
But outside those pages, my new reality was far less forgiving. At school, I was teased and bullied for my differences—from my manner of speech and acne to my braces and developing body. In these challenging moments, my journal became more than just a pastime; it was a refuge. When I wrote, I could be vulnerable, imaginative and unapologetically myself without fear of judgment. Though I eventually made friends, true belonging remained elusive. Writing evolved into a tool for self-discovery, anchoring me through an adolescence wrought with depression and loneliness. In writing, I found the same belonging I once felt playing 'Sister, Sister'. Even now, writing continues to be a powerful tool for healing, much like it was during those lonely teenage years—a place where I could reconnect with myself and rescript my story.
This journey of self-expression would later come full circle as I learned to embrace creativity and play once more in unexpected ways.
When I started this blog in August, I wasn't sure if I was ready to write again. The truth is, I had been ruminating on returning to writing for a long time, but I felt too burnt out to give the thought much credence. Recommitting to my writing practice reminded me just how healing the process is. Through this blog, I can unpack my pain and turn it into something beautiful.
This year has been a year of significant life changes. I started a new business and moved back home. I'm in the midst of a career shift and applying for a graduate program. While I intentionally design my life to support my well-being, the demands of my responsibilities sometimes make it hard to indulge in my creative pursuits. When I commit to a goal, I'm hard-pressed to stop until I reach the finish line. Starting a business means I have to wear many hats, and I often get bogged down with the minutiae of getting it off the ground. When you're grappling with the anxiety that financial instability brings, it can feel like you haven't earned the privilege to enjoy yourself. Or that engaging in your hobbies is a waste of time. Even with the best intentions, I'm not immune to the belief that my ability to be productive defines my worth.
Recently, I had a conversation with my mother regarding the feelings of inadequacy that have come with taking a sabbatical. It has been almost three years since I've held a "real" job. This period is the first time since I was seventeen that I am not gainfully employed. Although my doctors recommend that I rest, I still feel immense guilt and shame about not participating in the job market. During this season, I have had to learn to find value outside of what I do to earn a living, requiring me to redefine the metrics by which I measure my success, setting soft goals like 'write four songs' versus 'start a 100K business'. This shift in perspective has allowed me to navigate the periods when I feel I'm not matching society's expectations of me.
Amid these life changes, I've revisited the value of play repeatedly. I permit myself to indulge in activities that bring me joy, guided only by curiosity. When I decided to take singing lessons, my goal was simple. I wanted to learn to use my voice, not with the hopes of becoming the next rising star but simply to feel confident singing my favourite tunes, even if it was for an audience of one. Performing in public was out of the question as I've always suffered from what I thought was incurable stage fright. But the more I practised, the more I enjoyed the process and wanted to share my gift with others. Leading to one of my most rewarding experiences to date, performing an original song live at a local open mic. The night was a mix of nerves and excitement, but as I hit each note, my nerves dissipated. The crowd's energy was electrifying, amplified by the presence of my closest friends, who came to cheer me on. As the final words of my song left my mouth, the audience erupted with applause, and an overwhelming sense of pride for facing my fear engulfed me. These moments of play remind me that rest and happiness are just as crucial as hard work.
I encourage you to reflect: what role does play hold for you now that you're no longer a child? What might you discover if you allowed yourself to explore just for the sake of joy?
Play Inspires Creativity
Under the new moon, the air was cool, as the festive season had brought an abundance of showers. I stood by the pool at my mother's apartment, the quiet evening amplifying the sense of renewal that often comes with the lunar cycle. I unrolled my fluffy pink yoga mat onto the damp concrete, lying back to face the night sky. As I relaxed and allowed my mind to wander, the stillness of the night seemed to invite a new energy. Suddenly, I reconnected with my childhood imagination, and the responsibilities of adulthood peeled away. I was a little girl again, crafting stories for my alter egos. I pulled out my notes app and began to write, and to my surprise, the words flowed effortlessly. The gentle stream of ideas felt exhilarating. I hadn't written fiction since I was a teenager, and now a story was taking shape before my eyes.
I've wanted to revisit fiction for years, but the more time that elapsed, the more intimidating starting was. I took courses, developed characters, and even created an Instagram account to share my writing. But when it came down to it, I couldn't put pen to paper. Just as journaling once allowed me to rewrite my reality. I allowed myself to experiment with storytelling—transforming my most recent heartbreak into a speculative fiction romance.
Just as journaling once gave me a place to express my true self, I allowed myself to follow my curiosity in fiction writing. For a time, I was freed from the constraints of perfectionism, which allowed the words to flow without judgment. The story I wrote may be cheesy, but it was an insightful exploration that reignited my creativity.
I would soon be reminded that play doesn't just ignite creativity; it can also open the door to unexpected opportunities, like a serendipitous conversation that sparks a new business idea.
Play Creates Opportunity
A few days later, I returned to the pool to unwind. I expected to be alone when an unexpected guest joined me. As soothing music emanated from my earbuds, an older gentleman pushed open the small gate to the pool area and walked directly over to me. I smiled and said good morning; he was one of the few tenants I recognised on the block. He expressed how glad he was to see me, as he preferred not to swim alone. Before long, we found ourselves deep in an engaging conversation. He shared how a recent concert had blown him away, painting a vivid picture of the star-studded lineup and a comical encounter with a woman who tried to get his attention. Though we were cordial when we passed each other in the hallway, this was the first time we'd spent significant time talking to each other.
His face lit up when I shared my fascination with AI, urging me to continue. As we delved deeper, I realised we both saw potential in integrating AI into business operations—something I had only begun to explore seriously.
After our conversation ended, I realised that my personal pursuits had unknowingly planted seeds for future opportunities. When I first delved into generative AI in 2022, I never imagined it would lead me to a conversation about AI solutions poolside with a neighbour.
What began as a playful exploration of AI transformed into a serendipitous business opportunity—proof that following your curiosity can open doors you never knew existed.
Play as the Path Forward
While on this path, I recognised that play is more than a juvenile pastime. It is a formidable force that facilitates self-exploration, fuels creativity and opens doors to unexpected opportunities, even as adults. As I continue to embrace play in my life, I've found it to be invigorating—a way to connect with my inner child and explore new things without the constraints of perfectionism or fear of failure.
While crafting this essay, I took some time to reconnect with my playful side. I wrote stories, made bolder fashion choices, went to the opera for the first time and attended a play. I allowed myself to be silly and experiment with new ideas. At first, I hesitated to take a break from my day-to-day responsibilities. But the more I engaged, the more confirmation I received that this was the intended path. The new perspectives these activities brought me infused more energy into my work. I discovered that there was an unspoken synergy between work and play. They weren't as separate as I once believed. I've begun to see it—not as a distraction but as a vital part of my process. Even though the guilt still surfaces, I'm slowly learning that play doesn't mean I'm avoiding work; it's helping me show up for my work with renewed energy and clarity.
So, we can all unlock a world of wonder and possibility; whether it's taking up a hobby, you've always wanted to try, reconnecting with a lost passion, or simply being silly with friends on a Saturday afternoon. The next time you feel stagnant or burdened by the world's weight, I encourage you to permit yourself to play—because sometimes, it's in the moments of play that we discover the most unexpected and transformative paths forward.
P.S. Thank you for reading Becoming Moken! If my story resonates with you and you feel moved to support my journey, consider leaving a love offering. While Becoming Moken is free for now, your contributions help sustain my healing process and enable me to create even more content. Your support is truly a blessing and a tangible way to share the love.