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THE PLAYFUL WAY:
Creativity, Connection, and Joy Through Everyday Moments of Play
The Playful Way offers a refreshing antidote to hustle culture. Through accessible stories, simple practices, and permission to be imperfect, it reveals the critical advantage that play offers us. Playfulness isn’t frivolous, it’s fuel.
Available now for pre-order now from the following retailers. On sale April 7, 2026.
Since childhood, we're told to "grow up" and "get serious." But what if playfulness—not more discipline—is the secret to navigating life's challenges with more creativity, resilience, and joy?
When life feels overwhelming, most of us default to the Pressured Way: clenching our jaws, white-knuckling through, trying to force solutions. Creative entrepreneur Piera Gelardi shows there's another option: the Playful Way—a mindset that transforms how you experience everything from airport security lines to career transitions to navigating grief.
Gelardi guides readers in uncovering the mental barriers and inner critics that restrict their playfulness, offering practical techniques to reconnect with curiosity, wonder, and possibility. You'll discover the Eight Powers of Play and learn to quiet the "Anti-Play Posse" voices in your head.
Through personal stories, real-world examples, and science-backed insights, Gelardi shows how a playful mindset:
Unlocks innovative solutions when conventional thinking fails
Builds resilience during uncertainty and change
Transforms mundane tasks into micro-adventures
Deepens connections with yourself and others