Ian Pearce observes that play can actually be quite hard work.
The child within
Most of us hang on to a few playground memories or recall games we played with friends and siblings. That's not really so surprising. Much of our knowledge about the way the world works is based upon our early play experiences, so these can be powerful memories. But, despite being told that the older generation have more time and cash for leisure than ever before, taking up the opportunities around us isn't always straightforward. For many over 50s, playing simply doesn't come easy.
A lifetime of working to tight schedules, raising families and the general rush and hubbub of daily life can leave its mark. Years spent restricting our leisure time and focusing on work and responsibilities may make it hard to allow ourselves the time to relax and be adequately selfish to enjoy the pleasure of just having fun in the 'no-holds-barred' way that children do so well.
What's stopping you?
Maybe the very fact that today's older generation welcomes periods of work and learning in the retirement years actually heightens this barrier to play. After all, the 'clean break' provided by the retirement years our parents faced gave out a simple message: that's it - time to stop and put your feet up. Nowadays, the picture's more complex and our responsibilities as workers, learners and carers may continue throughout our lives. Which can make it more difficult to switch off and welcome the guilt-free leisure time we're supposed to be enjoying.
Rediscovering 'you time'
The answer perhaps is to accept that whether or not you continue to work, study, volunteer or care for dependants, leisure time is an important part of your new life - part of the retirement package to which you're entitled. A child never questions their right to take time out to play, so re-learn that skill! Make time for leisure, plan for it, and do it. Whether it's climbing Kilimanjaro or learning tai chi, wine tasting or windsurfing, it's time for you to discover, revive and learn to have fun again.
Bridging also fits in well with the many opportunities for learning new skills: a host of adult learning and online courses now make lifelong learning accessible to everyone. And because in general we're fitter and healthier than our parents' generation at the same age, there are endless leisure pursuits and pastimes to try out or refine.
Fancy trying something new? Browse the Play section to find a host of ideas to inspire you.
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Maybe we should develop a Crayola bomb as our next secret weapon. A happiness weapon. A beauty bomb. And every time a crisis developed, we would launch one.
It would explode softly and send thousands, millions, of little parachutes into the air. Floating down to earth - boxes of Crayolas. And we wouldn't go cheap, either - not little boxes of eight. Boxes of 64, with the sharpener built right in. With silver and gold and copper, magenta and peach and lime, amber and umber and all the rest.
And people would smile and get a little funny look on their faces and cover the world with imagination.
Robert Fulghum (1990), All I Really Need to Know I Learned in Kindergarten
Let the good times roll!
Imran Hussain examines the changing face of leisure time for the over 50s.
Raising your game
So much time, so much to do... Kate Muir finds out how older people are expecting - and getting - more from later life.
Kith and kings
Jenny Richards explores our growing fascination with meeting the ancestors.
Do you have a hobby?
