Worked a lot as a child and barely played. Missed out on lots of personality development. I have more free time now and I want to play, but I don’t totally understand how.
I was told when I have something fun to do, learn to fail the marshmallow test and just immediately eat the marshmallow. I feel paralyzed. I’m used to playing only if I’m invited by someone else to play, and I want to play more when I’m alone.
So far I sometimes draw and read a fun book. Both usually make me anxious, but they bring me feelings of accomplishment.
What do you mean by play? Do you mean entertainment (curated games, video games), unstructured play (make believe), physical activity (chasey)?
May help us give suggestions on what to recommend.
That aside, you may enjoy Lego. Just grabbing a box of bricks and making whatever comes to mind or letting the shapes build themselves. Creating stories and mental relations between what you build. Structuring them in a scene, or using them to run through an imaginary scenario?
It leads towards other activities like crafts, role playing etc. that you may enjoy.
All of them. I’ve had trouble making friends though so I’ll have to do a lot of stuff alone. Or have the courage to go out and ask if strangers can teach me how to do things. (I’m unsure if I have that courage for now.)