Playing is the new meditation

After a burnout, 4,5 years of travelling abroad and a search for her place in the world, Nona van Spaandonck (29) discovered something she had already known as a child: playing is healing. With The Noniz, she invites adults to rediscover their creativity, let go of their perfectionism and experience joy in life again. “Because playing isn’t just something for children, it’s a basic human need.”

Stuck

“One day after I handed in my thesis for my Commercial Economics degree, I had a burnout. My body said: stop. I couldn’t even go to my graduation ceremony, I was completely exhausted. After a solo holiday without my phone, I decided: I’m leaving, I’m going travelling. I booked a one-way ticket to Indonesia, even though everyone advised me against it.”

The wind through my hair

“In Indonesia, I came into contact with breathwork and took a training. After that, I started a yoga teacher training. I thought I was recovered, I could take on the world. But my body and nervous system told me otherwise. I couldn’t handle it.

During the breaks, I would draw to let go, because for me that was the only way to find peace. I stopped completely. I was done with all those trainings. My whole life I had gone from one education or training to another. I looked at my savings and realised I had enough space to do nothing for six months. So I decided to do nothing for half a year. I let the wind blow through my hair. That’s when I naturally started playing again.”

The birth of The Noniz

“One morning I woke up with a clear image of my life’s mission: Playing, together with creativity and mindfulness. I saw a world full of small, colourful characters, each with their own name, shape and energy. I started drawing them and called them The Noniz.

Together, they embody everything I believe in: that everyone is unique, that perfection doesn’t exist and that we shine brightest when we dare to be ourselves. We are all imperfectly perfect.”

Playing as a way of life

“With The Noniz, I give creative workshops and play sessions for adults and children. We create our own Noni, invent a story around it and play children’s games. People feel light, free and creative again.

Playing is the new meditation. It brings you into the present moment. As adults, we often think we have to be serious in order to be successful. But playfulness helps you relax, put things into perspective and deal with challenges better. Playing is a way to truly feel again.”

Being different as a strength

“I have felt different for a long time. Everyone seemed to know what was normal, except me. In friendships and relationships, I often felt misunderstood.

Now I know: I am different, and that is exactly the point. The Noniz is about that realisation. That you don’t have to dim yourself to fit in. Your light is allowed to shine.

In The Noniz Family, we celebrate that authenticity. Everyone is welcome exactly as they are. That feels like coming home.”

Dreams without limits

“What I most want people to take away is: keep dreaming. As adults, we make our dreams smaller. We put limits everywhere. Dream like a child, without limits.

Ask yourself: what made me happy as a child? What did I love doing, but don’t do anymore? Bring those memories back. Look at old children’s books, talk about what you used to be like. The child inside you is still there. It’s just waiting for you to want to play together again.”

Want to see more? Follow me on Instagram: @thenoniz