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Image: Public Domain, Clker
When I was younger I wasn’t really allowed to play games and have fun. When I came to Georgia the people who became my new family were appalled and quickly set about teaching me that you’re never too old to play. Even “silly” games like hangman and 20 questions can be played by “grown-ups”.
I love this mentality. It doesn’t happen as often as I’d like, but my family does play games like hangman, pictionary, 20 questions, closed room mystery, Scattergories, Mad Libs and others. We enjoy doing it. On holidays it’s almost assured that there will be some sort of games, and at times we’ll alleviate our boredom with these fun little activities.
It actually makes me sad that a lot of people feel that once you reach a certain age, games are no longer allowed. We’re taught that we have to be “mature” and serious. Why? I think we should be having fun of every type for as long as we’re physically and mentally able to. Why would you ever want to stop having fun? And what on Earth is wrong with playing games that we learned as children if we still enjoy them? There may be a minimum age on games, but there certainly isn’t a maximum.
Now that I’ve learned that it’s not only okay but enjoyable to play, even as an adult, I encourage others to do it too. I’ve played in leaves and in the snow too as an adult. I’ve played clapping games and board games and had a ball. If it’s fun, there’s no reason not to do it. There’s no age at which having childlike fun and joy becomes unacceptable, unless you choose for it to be that way.
My advice to people is to have fun whenever you can, and if it involves doing “childlike” things, so be it. Enjoy yourself! If other people don’t like it, just smile and let it be their problem. Don’t let anyone take your joy away. Happiness is such a precious thing, and something too few experience these days. Hold on to it and live in that place of youthful joy every chance you get.
