Finding Myself Through Play

by Anoushka Poddar, Girls Advisory Council, for International Day of Play, June 11, 2026

I still remember the games I made up as a child, imagining different fantastical scenarios and acting them out with my friends. We were astronauts, lost in space after the cords connecting us to the shuttle suddenly snapped, and another day, we were actresses, strutting down Beverly Hills with yippity chihuahuas in our purses. One day, we were mermaid princesses on a quest to find the magic pearl that would save all the fish, and the other, we were detectives on a hunt to uncover a mysterious killer, Sherlock Holmes style. I loved the freedom these games gave me, the freedom playing gave me. I never had to worry about homework or assignments. I could be anything, anyone, whenever I wanted.

Playing has truly shaped me into who I am today—a storyteller. It’s helped me learn to imagine, explore, discover, and sparked my interest in writing. After all, I had so many interesting scenarios and plots in mind, why not put them on paper? It’s helped me learn to strategise, to relax, and truly engage with the variety of activities around me.

Play is important in my life today. Whenever I feel stressed, I spend some time playing meaningless games on my phone; our weekly family game nights always consist of playing some board game or the other; and my friends and I often play Uno! or different card games whenever we meet up. Playing, to me, is a way of just letting go and finding myself again. It reminds me that life does not always have to be productive or serious to be meaningful. Sometimes, play is simply a way of reconnecting with joy, curiosity, and the people around me.

This is exactly why every child should have the right to play—it assists in mental, physical, and social development, reducing stress and anxiety. It stimulates brain development, builds motor skills, and fosters strong relationships. It can also help in lowering cortisol levels and reducing stress while building strategic thinking and improving physical well-being. Not only this, but playing also improves imagination and increases resilience. It teaches essential life skills in a fun and interesting way. Play is the medium through which children can learn and discover and truly understand themselves. In many ways, play is not separate from growth—it is one of the purest forms of it.