Periagoge
Scenario

When family playfulness becomes performance and loses authenticity

Our family dinners turned into everyone performing elaborate characters and inside jokes that started as silly fun, but now my teenage daughter said it feels 'forced' and we all realized we don't know when play becomes performance. We're not sure if we should drop the bit or if that would kill something precious about how we connect.

More people experience this than they realize.

What we've seen

You've hit the paradox of how conscious attention to play can destroy the spontaneity that makes it playful.

Your guide for this
Nas
Nas works with people navigating exactly this kind of situation.
Worth thinking about

“Where Are You with What is play — a philosophical definition?”

Peri

Peri can explain why this happens, help you decide if this is the right situation for you, and point toward the right journey or coach.

If this sounds familiar, the Library can help you find the bigger picture.