Probably the biggest roadblock to play for adults is the worry
that they will look silly, improper, or dumb if they allow themselves
to truly play. Or they think that it is irresponsible, immature, and
childish to give themselves regularly over to play. Nonsense and
silliness come naturally to kids, but they get pounded out by norms
that look down on “frivolity.” This is particularly true for people
who have been valued for performance standards set by parents
or the educational system, or measured by other cultural norms
that are internalized and no longer questioned. If someone has
spent his adult life worried about always appearing respectable,
competent, and knowledgeable, it can be hard to let go sometimes
and become physically and emotionally free. The thing is this: You
have to give yourself permission to improvise, to mimic, to take
on a long-hidden identity.
* frivolity: 경박함 ** improvise: 즉흥적으로 하다
