Kara: From perfectionism to play

From perfectionism to play: Reclaiming my inner child

In January 2020, I found myself bawling in the back of a cab. My relationship had ended, my career had unraveled, and my health was struggling. I had spent years being everything to everyone—the overachiever, the perfectionist, the "yes" person. But inside, I felt completely lost.

Just a few months earlier, I had turned down a Vice President role, something that should have been the pinnacle of success. But every fiber of my being told me it wasn’t right. Then the pandemic hit, and I lost my job entirely. I was left with a terrifying question: Who was I, without this relationship? Who was I when I didn't have this career? I had begun doing inner child healing in therapy, but it was always really heavy.

During a therapy session, my therapist said, "You need to play more." Play? I stared at her like she had three heads. My life was in shambles, and she wanted me to play? But something about her words stuck with me. Maybe, just maybe, healing didn’t have to be so heavy.

I tried looking for ways for adults to play, but couldn’t find anything at the time. So I turned to my own inner child and started coming up with all these ideas I hadn’t seen before.

Slowly, play became my healing. It reconnected me with the little girl inside me—the one I had abandoned for so many years. My anxiety lessened, my confidence grew, and my joy returned. And through this, The Playful Warrior was born.

It wasn’t easy. People questioned me. "A play coach? Is that even a thing?" But deep down, I knew this was my path. The world was drowning in play deprivation, and I was here to change that.

Now, five years later, I look back and see how trusting myself, even when the path felt uncertain, was the greatest decision I ever made. Building a business around play wasn’t just about helping others—it was about learning to trust my own voice, my intuition, and my unique way of doing things.

There were moments of doubt, moments when I questioned if I should go back to the "safe" path. But each time, I chose trust. And every time I leaned into my playful, authentic self, doors opened in ways I never could have predicted.

Now, I see play as a powerful tool—not just for fun, but for transformation. It helps us trust ourselves, take bold steps, and build a life that feels deeply fulfilling. I’m so grateful for this journey, and I hope it inspires you to reconnect with the playful, joyful version of yourself, too. 💛

Instagram: @theplayfulwarrior
https://www.theplayfulwarrior.com/