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.

   大家晚安。小時候，我們每天都在玩，根本不用想。長大以後，我們很多人幾乎不再玩了。今晚，我想探討一下為什麼會這樣，以及我們能做些什麼。

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.

   我說的玩，是指只因為有趣而去做某件事，而不是因為它有用。堆沙堡、隨手塗鴉，或者和朋友一起踢球，這些都算。

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.

   第一個原因是，成年人覺得什麼事都必須有用。連我們的愛好都變成了目標。我們不只是跑步，而是為馬拉松訓練；我們不只是畫畫，而是想把作品賣出去。

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.

   第二個原因是難為情。孩子們不在乎自己看起來傻不傻，但成年人在乎。我們擔心別人會怎麼想，所以一直保持嚴肅。

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.

   最後是時間。在工作、家務和手機之間，剩下的空閒時間少之又少，而玩通常是我們最先放棄的事。

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.

   那我們能做些什麼呢？我的建議是，給自己安排一點小小的、毫無意義的樂趣。每週花十五分鐘做一件完全沒有目標的事：搭積木、玩一個傻乎乎的紙牌遊戲，或者在廚房裡跳舞。

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.

   和別人一起玩也更容易。當大家一起顯得有點傻的時候，就沒有人會覺得難為情。每個月和朋友們辦一次遊戲之夜，是一個很好的開始。

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.

   最後總結一下，玩不只屬於孩子，也不是浪費時間。它能幫助我們放鬆、和他人建立聯絡，並重新找回自己。這周，試著做一件只是為了好玩的事吧。謝謝大家。