Play as the Gateway to Joy
by Chris Wood

There’s something magical about watching grown-ups rediscover play: the laughter, the lightness, and that spark of pride when they see the beauty of something they’ve created with their own hands.

As adults, we tend to trade playfulness for perfection, even in moments of creativity, and the courage to be messy, or imperfect, is often lost. But when we make room for play, we also make room for joy.

I’ve witnessed this many times in the groups I’ve worked with, and each time I’m reminded of how powerful play can be, especially in surprising place-like spa parties, which are so often thought of as just for kids.

Here are a few moments that reminded me why play matters so much.

A Conference Pick-Me-Up

After several days of back-to-back sessions, workshops, and conversations, a conference group wanted to end on a lighter note. I wheeled in my pink suitcase and set up the space. I knew this tired group wouldn’t know what was about to hit them!

At first, some hesitated over whether they were “doing it right” as they mixed and measured. But within minutes, the room was alive with laughter. What started as a quiet gathering shifted into playfulness, rose petals flying, jokes bouncing across the room, and participants beaming at the beauty of something they had created with their own hands.

In the end, it wasn’t about perfection. Play became the gateway to joy that rejuvenated them and sent them home lighter—along with the spa products they had created themselves.

A Morning of Joy with SARBI

SARBI, a not-for-profit supporting people with brain injuries, wanted to treat their clients to a wellness morning. Because transportation and logistics can be such a challenge, having the experience come to them was already a relief. But what happened next was even more meaningful.

A staff member shared that brain injuries often take away the things that once brought meaning: hobbies, connections, even the ease of laughter itself. Essentially, it robs them of joy.

Here too, some worried that their creations might not turn out “right.” But together we created an experience that was flexible, adapted to each person’s abilities and preferences. Soon, the room was filled with laughter. That morning, play brought the laughter back, and the joy wasn’t in perfect products, but in shared moments.

Laughter at a Retreat

At a women’s retreat, the leader wanted to offer her guests something spa-like as part of their weekend of renewal. Most of them expected a calm, zen ending to their weekend.

Instead, they found themselves in the middle of a joy-filled experience. A few women laughed nervously about their products not looking “Pinterest-worthy,” but it didn’t matter. Rose petals flew through the air, jokes sparked across the room, and laughter bubbled up until everyone felt lighter.

What surprised them most was how energizing it was. The spa party didn’t wind things down, it lifted everyone up. It became a shared moment of play that strengthened the sense of connection they had been building all weekend.

From Perfection to Play: A New Take on Self-Care

What I’ve learned from all these moments is that the heart of self-care isn’t about striving for perfection. It’s about play.

Again and again, I see adults hesitate, second-guessing themselves, even carrying a flicker of shame when they try something new. They want to “get it right.” But when they’re reassured, something shifts. Relief shows up first, then laughter, and finally that spark of pride in what they’ve created.

That shift matters. It takes people back to childhood, when creating was about joy, not judgment. And it reminds us that play is not just for kids, it’s essential for our well-being.

Because sometimes self-care isn’t quiet or serious at all. Sometimes it’s laughter spilling into the air, rose petals flying through the room, and adults remembering that play is the gateway to joy.

An Invitation

Would you like to experience a taste of this joy yourself? Join me where my spa party will be part of the Fill Your Cup, Babe! Retreat, happening October 17–19, 2025. It’s a weekend designed for women who are ready to reconnect with themselves and with others in uplifting, meaningful ways. See my ad for more information. 

Or, book a spa party for your own organization and see how play can spark laughter, connection, and joy.

Chris Wood, owner of Spa Like a Boss, has hosted more than 400 spa parties in and around Saskatoon, creating joyful experiences for guests of all ages and occasions. Known for being mildly hilarious and wildly entertaining, she brings warmth, fun, and wellness to every celebration. www.spalikeaboss.com, 306-715-9775, chris@salessimplified.ca. Also, see the display ad on page 26 of the 31.3 Fall 2025 issue of the WHOLifE Journal.