Fairy Doors: A Call to Play
I had the best day. The sun was shining, spring was springing, and I went to Putnam, CT to hunt for fairy doors. You’re probably wondering what in the world, or why in the world would I want to do that….
Well, that’s easy. I need to play more. The topic of play keeps resurfacing in my reading and conversations. I know I don’t play enough. As I read a list of ways to de-stress through play and this one popped off the page:
Do something for the kid in you everyday.
This proposed a couple of problems for me:
Every day?? Yikes, the only things I do everyday are tasks, like brushing my teeth, cooking dinner, and doing dishes. And the second dilemma has everything to do with not having a clue what my inner-kid would enjoy. So I began making a list:
Tell a joke
Drink out of a straw
Take a nap
Jump rope
Play in the sand
Ride a bike
I needed to find a playful activity, and fast.
That’s where the fairy door scavenger hunt came in.
I felt a giggle rising up within me and thought, by George, I am going to do it. Why not!
Armed with my list of fairy doors, a pen, camera, and a water bottle, I set off on my quest.
I found eighteen hidden fairy doors –each one designed by a local artist. I checked them off my fairy door list and took photos of each one. I wandered and hunted. I talked with locals and visitors to town. I sipped coffee at Ben’s Beans, and got revved to finish my quest. And, most of all I delighted in the time I spent imagining and enjoying the process. And I began to see how play is related to joy.
The idea of a fairy door entrance to a world of imagination and play is magical. I need to get outside my big-girl world sometimes and think like child.
Let go. Enjoy. Have fun!
Here are some ideas for play…Can you add any to the list?
Take photos
Sketch, draw, doodle, paint
Wade in the brook
Take a cooking class
Wander at the farmer’s market
See a play
Visit the aquarium
Write a children’s story
Do something for the kid in your everyday. #LessStress #MoreJoy Share on X
What about you? How do you play?
Do you find your joy increase when you play? Does it improve your mood?
Jeanne
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Photo collages created at Canva.com by Jeanne Doyon
Just for fun:
Aaw,how lovely.. I would love to do something like this with my grandaughter when she’s older…but guess this is missing the point, as I should be wanting to do something like this for myself NOW!Though I have already managed to enjoy a few lovely things with my grandson – family jingle bell singing at Christmas with actual bells, watching The Snowman movie with live orchestra and soloist, going to see enactments of a few of Eric Carle’s books (including ‘The Very Hungry Caterpillar’) etc.Hopefully many more to come! 🙂
Debbie, isn’t it lovely how children can be the bridge we need to play. We enter into their world and find giggles and joy. So happy about your grands. You will have wonderful play times with them for sure.
Oh my Jeanne………….I hadn’t even read the whole article when I began to weep……..Yes, yes, yes, you have hit a “nugget”
How special, how sweet…….the other day I took one of the tennis balls that are here and threw it against the garage door, like I used to when I was a kid. (not the same garage) I always loved throwing and catching like that. I am now off on a new assignment! Be a kid for a little while each week. Thank you, my girl. Love Mom
Mom, what joy can come from doing something kid-like! I think we need reminders to look for the fairy doors each day 🙂 And, I used to love all those ball tossing, jump roping games too. Thanks for sharing your heart. Sorry you cried. But I understand. It’s like you see something you have missed–and it fills an empty place.
What good idea, Jeanne! No fairy doors here (that I know of), but my favorite play time is getting my hands dirty creating and reorganizing my garden. I also love wandering aimlessly on the beach.
Terry, I am a beach wanderer too. I love finding treasures among the rocks and sand. Thanks for sharing your play ideas.
Being responsible all the time is overrated! 😀
We all need to play more including me! Glad you enjoyed your adventure, Jeanne. Jesus was fully human so I bet He enjoyed moments of fun. So I want to follow Him and enjoy the life with which. He has blessed me. Party on! 🙌
Sheree, thanks for stopping by and sharing your heart. I think most of us need to play more. I think the result would be more freedom and joy. I felt uplifted when I got home.
What fun!!The photos are great.
Gretchen, it was pure fun. I have a couple of photos that didn’t come out great. The fairy door was up too high so my camera couldn’t reach (my arms aren’t long enough). But that’s okay. Part of play is knowing it’s just for fun. No worries about perfection.
Thanks so much for this! The next time I go to our beach place, I plan on SKIPPING up and down the sand dunes and looking for sand dollars and star fish!! Thank you for the great inspiration.
Gail, One of my favorite things to do!! I love hunting for sea glass, heart-shaped rocks, and shells on the beach. And I do think skipping is under-rated LOL. Thanks for sharing your thoughts.
I love this post, Jeanne. Especially right now—I’m stuck in the middle of a TON of grown-up “stuff” with not a minute for play. Your piece reminded me that being childlike is part of the good life. Thanks :0)
Susan
Susan, how easy it is for me to get stuck in grown-up land. And I feel like I need to work first and play later…be responsible 🙂 I think this must be a universal problem though I wonder if different personalities handle it differently.