Connection: Authentic Living Exercises to Rediscover What Makes You Feel Alive

Respect • Ownership • Connection • Kindness

By Lee Havenga | July 17, 2025

Authentic living exercises can reconnect you with the parts of yourself that feel most alive and free. Long before responsibilities, routines, and endless to-do lists took over, you instinctively knew how to play. Play wasn’t just fun—it was your natural way of exploring, expressing, and understanding yourself. But somewhere along the way, we started treating fun as optional. In reality, it’s essential.

The ROCK thru principle of Connection to self invites you to reconnect with what once made life feel vibrant: joy, curiosity, and play. This technique helps you return to those roots—reigniting energy and clarity so you can live more authentically.

APPLY IT IN 15 MINUTES

Technique: Reunite with Your Play Personality

Uncover your natural style of play—the activities that energize you and help you feel most like you. This isn’t just about having fun (though that’s part of it); it’s also about strengthening your relationship with yourself by honoring what lights you up.

1. Reunite Yourself with Your Play Personality

According to Dr. Stuart Brown, founder of the National Institute for Play, we all have a unique play style that reflects how we’re wired to experience joy. These include:

Explorer – You come alive through discovering new ideas, places, or experiences.
Creator/Artist – You thrive when making something original or expressive.
Storyteller – You enjoy narrative and imagination through books, movies, or roleplay.
Joker – Humor, silliness, or playful banter is your go-to joy source.
Kinesthete – Movement-based fun (like dancing, hiking, or sports) is your thing.
Competitor – You feel engaged and energized through games, competition, or challenges.
Director – You love planning, organizing, or leading social or group activities.
Collector – You enjoy acquiring or curating special items or experiences.

Most people are a mix but usually have a dominant type. Reflect on which one feels most natural to you, and then, take the “What’s Your Play Style?” quiz to get even more insight.

2. Reflect on Joyful Moments

Think back to a time—recent or from childhood—when you felt truly playful and alive. What were you doing? Which play personality was expressing itself?

Write down a few of those activities or moments. The goal here is to reconnect with the real you, free from judgment or productivity pressure.

3. Intentionally Reintroduce Play

Now, choose one small way to bring that form of play into your week. Keep it light, low-pressure, and tailored to your personality:

Creator/Artist – Draw just for fun
Explorer – Try a new hiking trail
Storyteller – Listen to an audiobook or podcast with characters
Joker – Make up a silly game or inside joke with someone
Kinesthete – Join a casual sports league
Competitor – Play a card game or puzzle challenge
Director – Plan a themed dinner night
Collector – Add to an old collection or start a new one

The goal isn’t to be productive—it’s to feel alive. Prioritize it like any other task or activity that benefits your health and well-being.

DEEPEN THE IMPACT

Make a “Fun Menu.” List 10 quick, simple activities that match your play personality—like doodling, dancing, singing, baking something easy, rearranging a small space, people-watching, or trying a new yoga pose. Keep the list visible. When stress builds, pick one. Just 15 minutes of fun can restore energy and reconnect you to what makes you feel alive.