Hello dearest Reader,

How many emails have you received slamming you into 2025? My guess is ***way more than is necessary***.

This email is far from that.

As the new year begins, we often feel the weight of expectations pressing down—an endless push to do more, achieve more, and be more.
But what if we gave ourselves permission to do something radical instead?

What if we rested?

In a world that glorifies productivity, rest can feel indulgent, weak, and even shameful. Capitalism has taught us to measure our worth by what we produce, not who we are.

But rest is not a luxury; it’s a necessity.

Rest is essential for creativity, mental health, and well-being. It’s the fertile soil in which our ideas grow, the pause that allows us to reconnect with ourselves and others.

Rest is also resistance. By choosing to slow down, we push back against the systems that tell us we are only as valuable as our output.

In stillness, we reclaim our humanity.

But, this doesn’t mean rest is easy. For many of us, slowing down can bring discomfort, especially when so much in the world feels urgent and overwhelming. However, in resting, we create space to trust in play—the kind of trust that says, “It’s okay to pause. It’s okay to prioritise joy. It’s okay just to be, right here, right now.”

As we cautiously step into 2025, I invite you to embrace this act of resistance. Start small. Always, start small. Take two minutes today to do nothing but breathe. Let yourself imagine what rest could feel like if you gave yourself full permission.

Will you share with me what rest could feel like for you?

And if you’re longing for a community that understands the importance of slowing down, despite the challenges, a community that makes space for creativity, connection, and well-being, I’d love to invite you to join Permission to Play. In 2025, our online space will continue to grow as a container where we collectively practice rest, play, creativity and compassion.
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I’d love to see you there Reader 🫶

The world is heavy, and we can’t carry it alone. But together, we can create a rhythm that honours rest, nurtures creativity, and celebrates our shared humanity.

Wishing you a gentle start to this year.

With Kindness,
Delphie Joy xox

​P.S. Permission to Play isn’t about being perfect—it’s about showing up as you are. If you’re ready to explore creativity and connection in a way that nourishes you, come join us. You’re warmly invited.