How Adulthood Has Made Us Lose Our Sense of Wandering, and Why It’s Important to Get It Back

One of the many things that is quite commendable in a fast-paced, developed city like Shenzhen is that it not only focuses on building high- tech, fancy malls but also focuses on building something as simple yet necessary as playgrounds. Every mall, garden, and residential area has one. Some might be small, but the numbers and accessibility of playgrounds across the city are remarkable.

What’s interesting is how the children use that limited area, a few swings and a couple of slides to create and play their unique games, leaving their cheeks flushed with joy. Watching their faces light up while playing these games, I couldn’t help but wonder, why have we denied ourselves the same?

We’ve all heard why it’s important for children to play with their toys, with their friends, and sometimes even with random objects lying around the house.  It helps with their emotional regulation, critical thinking, and problem-solving, while also building independence, perseverance, resilience, empathy, and creativity…the list goes on and on and on. Especially in today’s generation of “iPad kids”, more parents are actively urging them to get up and play. So, if we know the benefits and importance of play, why aren’t we doing it too?

I know you’ll say, “We have better things to do than playing with toys or running around with friends.” But that’s not what playing is. The concept of play goes way beyond those few things. Essentially, playing is something you do for fun rather than a structural task you complete with a specific goal in mind. Nowhere does the definition specify age limits. That means you can play too! In fact, I believe that we must play. Because think about it: When was the last time you did something spontaneous for your enjoyment, not knowing where it’ll lead? When did you give yourself the freedom to be okay with the outcome, to soak in the process, instead of feeling pressured by expectations?

Do you remember as a child when we played with blocks, stacking each piece onto the other? We created these random structures and brought them to life. We gave them a name, assigned them imaginary functions or powers, and created a whole character arc for them. Didn’t that feel amazing? Indulging in something you created yourself, not knowing how it’ll end, just going with the flow?

So, why not incorporate play as a stress reliever into our tedious adult lives and let creativity take its course? Plus, you’d be glad to know that playing is not another thing you need to add to your already long to-do list. Instead, it is a way of life that you can adopt through your daily activities. Hungry? Try cooking something by randomly picking ingredients out of your fridge rather than following a recipe. Time for a deep clean? How about instead of just throwing out the unwanted items and tidying up the house, try rearranging it too. Move a few things around, add some plants or paintings. Create a new vibe for when you step through the door. I can assure you, somehow, it makes you as proud as if you’d built the whole apartment yourself, brick by brick, and turned the same apartment into something new. Interesting how something simple like playing around with things can give you such a deep sense of satisfaction right?

We are so focused on productivity and achievements that we have completely prohibited ourselves from letting loose and wandering sometimes. Going with the flow doesn’t make you lazy; it liberates you. And what better way to free yourself from the shackles that come with adulthood than to play?

About the Author

Nitya Menghani is a young Gen Z, who has lived her whole life in Shenzhen, trying to navigate through the twists and turns of a young adult life as an expat in the city. She is an aspiring businesswoman eager to create an impact and is currently pursuing a business management degree. Other than that, she has also freelanced as a social media assistant manager, sales and customer service intern, and AI marketing content creator. Her writing is inspired by the complex thoughts and conversations that stem from the ordinary moments of life. She hopes that by writing them down, she can perhaps help herself and others navigate through them too.

Nitya can be contacted via WeChat on the following QR.