Kayoung Heo

But Brown argues that play is not an option. In fact he writes, “The opposite of play is not work—the opposite of play is depression.” He explains, “Respecting our biologically programmed need for play can transform work. It can bring back excitement and newness to our job. Play helps us deal with difficulties, provides a sense of expansiveness,

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This isn’t freedom. It’s erosion. This is the slow disintegration of self beneath the illusion that we can be anything, everything, all at once.

We do not just suffer from an abundance of options, we suffer from a lack of commitment.

And I am so exhausted by this constant orbit around potential. This slow bleeding of meaning. A daily flirtation with who I am not, what I don’t have, and what I haven’t done. Somewhere along the way, I stopped asking what I wanted and started asking what would look impressive.

I am a thousand almosts, held together by hesitation; a gallery of repainted selves.

Our skin aches for mornings that begin with the light of dawn and not that of a screen. Before our feet touch the earth, our eyes have already wandered into someone else’s world. We didn’t notice when we stopped living and began watching others. We’ve become spectators of everyone and participants in nothing of our own.

“ Oh, to wake up grateful for the pulse in my neck; to meet the mirror without dread.

I need to be enough—for myself . “

“there are people with half your skills and intelligence living out your dreams, just because they put themselves out there and didn’t overthink it”