We all carry invisible boxes, Reader.
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Boxes shaped by what we’ve been taught are “professional,” “productive,” or “realistic.”
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​Boxes that quietly tell us to stay small, stay serious, stay safe.

A few weeks ago at Playposium 2025, I spent time with people who are actively breaking out of those boxes—through laughter, movement, storytelling, and play.

One of my biggest takeaways?
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I learned I have play limits, especially when I’m tired.​
So I stepped back. I rested. I honored what I needed.

That pause wasn’t a weakness. It was a Power Play.

A Power Play is a moment when you choose to shift from stress to presence.​
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It might look like a deep breath, a spontaneous dance, a belly laugh, or affirming a boundary.

For me, it was giving myself permission to step away.

And people noticed.

Friends told me how refreshing it was to see someone with strong boundaries who still felt approachable and warm.

A few even said, “I’ll think of you the next time I need to do that for myself.”

That stuck with me.

Because here’s something we don’t talk about enough:
​Play isn’t just for the loudest person in the room.

Some of the most powerful moments come in quiet ways—walking alone, letting a story sink in, or choosing stillness over activity.

As an introvert, that was the play I needed most.

Play doesn’t pull you away from life. It returns you to it.
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It’s not a break from work. It is the work—especially when we’re cultivating connection, creativity, and well-being.

This is how we begin to challenge our perception boxes:​
By using play to loosen the grip of outdated norms and make space for flexibility, self-trust, and self-discovery.

So here’s your invitation:
👉 Try your Power Play today​
Choose something small that brings you back to yourself—a breath, a stretch, a laugh, a break, a “no.”

And remember: it doesn’t have to be loud to be powerful.​
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With care & levity,

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P.S. Want to explore how Power Play can support your team or your own leadership journey?
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You can:
💥 Join my free Play Challenge​
🎯 Reach out about 1:1 coaching​
🏢 Or connect about bringing play into your organization → Start here
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