When we fail to set boundaries and hold people accountable, we feel used and mistreated. This is why we sometimes attack who they are, which is far more hurtful than addressing a behavior or a choice.
Bren BrownRead
The opposite of play is not work—the opposite of play is depression.
Interpretation
What this quote means
Play is essential for emotional well-being, and its absence can lead to depression.
In this quote, Brené Brown emphasizes the importance of playfulness in our lives, suggesting that the lack of play does not merely result in increased work or productivity, but rather in a state of emotional distress known as depression. She highlights the value of play as a critical component of joy and mental health, contrasting it sharply with the darker implications of a life devoid of joy and fun.
Themes
PlayDepressionHappinessWell-BeingEmotional Health
In practice
Example use cases
During a mental health workshop, one might say this quote to emphasize the importance of incorporating fun into daily life.
More from Bren Brown
All quotes →Perfectionism is a twenty-ton shield that we lug around thinking it will protect us when, in fact, it's the thing that's really preventing us from taking flight.
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Social media has given us this idea that we should all have a posse of friends when in reality, if we have one or two really good friends, we are lucky.
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What we know matters but who we are matters more.
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Authenticity is the daily practice of letting go of who we think we're supposed to be and embracing who we are.
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Vulnerability is the birthplace of innovation, creativity and change.
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