“Doing Plexing is not hard. It’s deciding to allow yourself to do it that is hard.” Once you start Plexing—exploring, experimenting, stepping into the unknown—it often flows naturally. The real challenge? Giving yourself the space, permission, and mindset to begin.
Growth Mindset is about embracing challenges and believing that abilities can be developed through effort and persistence. Plexfulness goes beyond this, focusing on creative exploration and expanding one’s experiences and perspectives through spontaneous, playful curiosity. It’s about growth but with a lighter, more explorative energy.
Both playfulness and Plexfulness bring energy, joy, and creativity into our lives—but in slightly different ways.
Understanding the nuanced difference can help us make sure we include both. We can enjoy the lightness of play for its own sake and also stretch ourselves through experiences that help us grow and expand. Each supports and deepens the other.
Take this playful quiz to see how much Plex is already in your life—and where you might stretch a little more!
Curious about Plex? You’re not alone! In this FAQ section, we’re tackling common questions like “What is Plexing?”, “Isn’t play just for kids?”, and “Who has time for this?” We get it—trying something new can bring up a lot of hesitations. That’s why we’re here to break it down, clear up misconceptions, and show you how Plexing can fit into real life (yes, even yours!). Let’s dive in!
Sometimes, even when we set aside time for Plex, we struggle to fully engage because our mental “brakes” are still on—stress, distractions, and responsibilities holding us back. Emily Nagoski’s dual control model explains that engagement in play depends on both accelerators (what excites and energizes us) and brakes (what shuts us down). To truly Plex, it’s not about forcing more fun but also about easing off those brakes—letting go of mental clutter, addressing distractions, and giving ourselves permission to be present. The more we practice this balance, the more naturally Plex flows into our lives.
Choosing to spend time with playful people and in playful environments can have a profound impact on our lives. Playfulness is contagious, and when we surround ourselves with those who embrace curiosity, creativity, and joy, that energy naturally rubs off on us. It sparks new ideas, deepens connections, and invites more fun and exploration into our lives. Ultimately, by choosing to be around people and spaces that nurture play, we open ourselves to more opportunities for growth, laughter, and the kind of experiences that expand our world in unexpected ways.
Fake fun is everywhere, and it’s easy to get sucked into activities that seem to offer enjoyment but ultimately leave us feeling empty. By recognizing what constitutes fake fun and making a conscious decision to engage in more meaningful, enriching activities, we can avoid falling into these distractions. True play—what I call Plex—is all about engaging fully with the present moment, challenging ourselves, and expanding our experience. The next time you find yourself with some time to spare, instead of falling into the trap of fake fun, reach for something that will truly nourish and expand your world.
Our definitions and associations with the word “play” significantly impact how much we allow it into our lives. By examining and rethinking our personal connotations of play, we can open up new possibilities for incorporating it into our everyday experiences. Redefining play allows us to invite more creativity, freedom, and growth, enriching our lives in ways we may not have imagined. (See the exercise below)
Play used to come naturally. But somewhere along the way, many of us lost touch with it. Even when we want more lightness or fun, play can feel awkward or out of reach. This piece explores why—and how we can begin to reclaim it. Because Plexing is possible at any age.
