We need play more than ever—not because life isn’t serious, but because it is. Play brings levity into moments that might otherwise lock us into defense. And our brains do not function well in protection mode.

The more we can untangle our sense of self-worth from constant doing—both our own and others'—the more at ease we feel. When we learn to pause and observe our perceptions in the moment, gently guiding ourselves toward curiosity and compassion, we begin to see the world through a lens of connection. In this space, we can remember: everyone is doing their best.

Doing our best doesn’t mean we never feel overwhelmed or get caught up—it means we’re human. And in the end, compassion is always the right choice.

Guest post by Dr. Matt Van Auken:
Jamie’s jam is nervous system awareness and safety - first, knowing what your nervous system’s bandwidth and capacity is in the moment. She brings regulation and grounding through mindfulness, body-based techniques, nature-based work, and more. And once you are regulated and feel safe, the work can begin at deeper layers.