Play.

Source. Filter. Play.

We have hosted UTC meetings in Oxford last term, bi-weekly on Fridays, and before the summer, a conversation on The Artist’s Way by Julia Cameron was brought up.

In her book, the "inner artist" is described as a playful, and persistent inner child who loves to create, explore, and wonder without judgment. It is the authentic, emotional core of your identity that feels joy, gets blocked by fear, and thrives when given safety and attention.

She uses fast-paced listing exercises in the book to trick your "inner censor" into revealing your true feelings.

A member asked us to describe our “inner artist” in four words and then pointed out, that I use the world “Play” a lot. And it is true, it’s a core guiding principle of mine and I believe we all need more Play.

Play is the intentional, non-judgmental act of doing something purely for the joy of it, without any concern for the final product or result.

We all need to stop performing the routine and start having the life the routine was supposed to protect. Play isn't a reward for finishing the protocol. Play was always the whole point, don’t optimise yourself out of what brings you joy.

As adults, we replace play with productivity. Even sport gets an outcome attached: muscle gained, weight lost, kilometres run in a set time.

Then we spend our downtime telling each other how tired we are.

The loss of play shows up downstream, as burnout, disconnection, a flattened imagination.

There's a difference between childish and playful. While these terms are frequently conflated as mere synonyms for youthfulness, they represent entirely opposing evolutionary paths.

Playfulness is an act of sovereign vulnerability. It occurs when you are fully aware of the strictures, responsibilities, and weights of modern life, but choose to suspend whatever you are doing or thinking in pursuit of wonder. It is a deliberate opening of the mind. Playfulness values the process over the product.

Childishness is an involuntary regression. It is a defense mechanism triggered when your adult ego feels threatened, overwhelmed, or exposed. Instead of expanding to meet a challenge, you are retreating into the behavioral loops of early childhood. It is transactional and dependent on external validation. Because it stems from a place of insecurity, the childish impulse requires constant reassurance. It demands that the world bend to its whims without offering any discipline or labor in return.

To be playful is to celebrate and live the finest virtues of youth: flexibility, curiosity, resilience, and awe, while utilising the strength, boundaries, and discipline of an adult mind. Try it.

Nobody needs a stricter morning routine. We need something to look forward to. A bit of unstructured play in your week can be that thing.

Live Upstream, Play more,

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