Yes, and joy belongs here.
The Lie of Adulthood and the Liberation of Play
Somewhere along the line, we were taught that adulthood was where the real fun begins. That once we made it out of childhood—past the curfews, the limits, the waiting—we’d be free to do whatever we wanted. But for many of us, adulthood didn’t deliver on that promise. Instead, it brought bills, burnout, bone-deep exhaustion, and a culture that shamed joy unless it was tied to productivity.
We’ve been taught that we must earn play. That rest is conditional. That joy is a luxury. That silliness makes us unserious. But here’s the truth: play is not optional. It’s essential.
In today’s conversation, we talked about how supremacy culture tries to disconnect us from our joy, our bodies, and each other. And how reclaiming play is not about frivolity—it’s about resistance, regulation, and relationship.
At this stage in our journey, 65 days into building intentional community together, this felt like a necessary and powerful pivot.
“Why do we only come together to tear things down? Why not also come together to laugh, to play, to heal—together?”
Today’s Three Takeaways
Play is a pathway to healing.
Play disrupts perfectionism.
Play builds connection and community.
These are not new concepts—but they are too often forgotten or dismissed in liberation work. Today, we return to them with intention.
This is where the transformation begins.
To go deeper into this lesson and unlock today’s practices, prompts, and real-world applications, I ask that you become a paid subscriber.
You’ll receive:
Real-life examples of what play looks like at home, at work, and within yourself.
Concrete actions to take in your liberation practice.
Journal prompts and somatic tools to integrate the lesson into your body and your daily life.
Invitations to community-centered events like the upcoming Boots on the Ground: Line Dance Class on April 5th.
Need a scholarship? No explanation is required. Just email me at scholarships@desireebstephens.com, and we’ll make it work.
Let this be the day you say yes to joy—and yes to doing this work with your whole self.
