Nudged: Pull out an old board game–and play it!

We have a cabinet filled with games–Monopoly, Taboo, Clue, backgammon. I recall pulling a few out early in COVID, but we spent much of our sheltering-in-place binging on TV series. It’s time to open up that cabinet and PLAY!

This Nudge, like so many others, has multiple purposes. Time together–just Thor and me, or maybe we’ll invite friends to join us–plus pure fun, plus perhaps also an opportunity to declutter.

The end result will be revealed, of course. Till then, GAME ON!

What Happened: There’s a quote that’s been popping up a lot lately on my social media that feels appropriate in light of my failing to complete this week’s Nudge:

We don’t stop playing because we grow old; we grow old because we stop playing. — George Bernard Shaw

It started Sunday morning shortly after I drew it. “We HAVE to do this by Thursday night so I can post about it on Friday!” I said to Thor. Did I really threaten my darling husband with a deadline to have “fun”? (Yes. I did.)

We both have big jobs that consume our days, often long past office hours. We both have family responsibilities that often consume our nights (and have woven their way into my dreams).

I take at least one dog out every morning and throw a ball for him, but I think of it as “exercise,” not “play.”

Riding a bicycle turns me into a giddy seven-year-old, but I haven’t taken it out since the early days of the pandemic.

The last time we danced was at a wedding 18 months ago. When did you last dance purely for the joy of it?

I opened the game cabinet this week (pictured), but never made it to the “pulling-something-out” stage. In fact, I just looked at the photo a bit closer and noticed the MindTrap game. I’ve never played it. Ever. Sheesh.

The Ah-Hahs: I’ve been beating myself up a lot the last 24 hours. I mean–this should have been easy!

And then I remind myself of all the adulting things I’ve done in this week, and I offer myself some grace.

I love how Nudges surprise me, and this one was no exception. By “failing” to complete it, I took the time to really notice how PLAY is lacking in my life. This is good, I think, because it inspires and motivates me to make changes.

With that in mind, as Thor and I talked this through late last night, we made plans to go out to one of our fav neighborhood spots for Trivia Night this coming week.

I’m smiling just anticipating it.