Why Do Adults Stop Playing, and How Can We Start Again?

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1. 01Why Do Adults Stop Playing?

   Good evening, everyone. When we were children, we played every day without thinking about it. As adults, many of us rarely play at all. Tonight, I'd like to explore why this happens and what we can do about it.

   大家晚上好。小时候，我们每天都在玩，根本不用想。长大以后，我们很多人几乎不再玩了。今晚，我想探讨一下为什么会这样，以及我们能做些什么。

2. 02What Do I Mean by "Play"?

   By play, I mean doing something just because it's fun, not because it's useful. Building a sandcastle, doodling, or kicking a ball with friends all count.

   我说的玩，是指只因为有趣而去做某件事，而不是因为它有用。堆沙堡、随手涂鸦，或者和朋友一起踢球，这些都算。

3. 03Cause 1: Everything Must Be Useful

   The first cause is that adults feel everything must be useful. Even our hobbies turn into goals. We don't just run; we train for a marathon. We don't just draw; we try to sell our art.

   第一个原因是，成年人觉得什么事都必须有用。连我们的爱好都变成了目标。我们不只是跑步，而是为马拉松训练；我们不只是画画，而是想把作品卖出去。

4. 04Cause 2: Fear of Looking Silly

   The second cause is embarrassment. Children don't care if they look silly, but adults do. We worry about what others will think, so we stay serious.

   第二个原因是难为情。孩子们不在乎自己看起来傻不傻，但成年人在乎。我们担心别人会怎么想，所以一直保持严肃。

5. 05Cause 3: No Time

   Finally, there's time. Between work, chores, and our phones, there's very little free time left, and play is usually the first thing we drop.

   最后是时间。在工作、家务和手机之间，剩下的空闲时间少之又少，而玩通常是我们最先放弃的事。

6. 06Solution: Small, Pointless Fun

   So what can we do? My suggestion is to schedule small, pointless fun. Fifteen minutes a week of doing something with no goal at all: building with blocks, playing a silly card game, or dancing in the kitchen.

   那我们能做些什么呢？我的建议是，给自己安排一点小小的、毫无意义的乐趣。每周花十五分钟做一件完全没有目标的事：搭积木、玩一个傻乎乎的纸牌游戏，或者在厨房里跳舞。

7. 07Make It Social

   It's also easier to play with others. When everyone looks a little silly together, nobody feels embarrassed. A monthly game night with friends is a great place to start.

   和别人一起玩也更容易。当大家一起显得有点傻的时候，就没有人会觉得难为情。每个月和朋友们办一次游戏之夜，是一个很好的开始。

8. 08Conclusion

   To wrap up, play is not only for children, and it's not a waste of time. It helps us relax, connect, and feel like ourselves again. This week, try doing something just for fun. Thank you.

   最后总结一下，玩不只属于孩子，也不是浪费时间。它能帮助我们放松、和他人建立联系，并重新找回自己。这周，试着做一件只是为了好玩的事吧。谢谢大家。