Meet Emily Hay | Founder of The Playful Space

We had the good fortune of connecting with Emily Hay and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Emily, is there a quote or affirmation that’s meaningful to you?
“There is no greater burden on a child than the unlived life of a parent” -Carl Jung

This quote has been so transformational as I simultaneously chase toddlers and chase my dreams! I need my children to see me experiencing the rollercoaster of life…doing things that light me up, make me laugh, and bring me joy. I need them to see me actively creating and trying everything in my power to pursue my purpose. I need them to see me failing & tripping & getting back up again. I need them to see me being a human, not just their mom. I need them to see me truly living a life I love because that gives them permission to do the same…and I believe that is the greatest gift a mother can give her children.

Can you give our readers an introduction to your business? Maybe you can share a bit about what you do and what sets you apart from others?
Connection, joy, creativity, and of course PLAY are the heart & soul of The Playful Space!

We offer a variety of creative offerings for women including community events, art workshops, destination retreats, as well as opportunities for mothers to connect with each other and their children at our mama and me play dates. Hands on exploration, process art, and self-discovery are the main components of our offerings. We create, we laugh, we cry, we connect. It is our goal for women to walk away from our events feeling a little less alone, a little less burdened which then makes room for more joy and creativity!

The evolution of The Playful Space began with struggle. The Playful Space was born as a personal creative outlet when I was battling postpartum depression after the birth of my first child in 2019. I found it extremely difficult to tap into my past creative self. I felt fearful, anxious, overwhelmed and completely lost in motherhood. As I navigated these murky waters, I continued my work as a Special Education Teacher and the stress was crippling. My therapist encouraged me to commit to 5-10 minutes of creativity a day as a form of self-care. It was as if a light switch was turned on. I began experimenting with a technique I learned and loved in college called altered book journaling. I decided to start an Instagram account to express my creativity and bolster my commitment to myself…

…then boom, I found myself in the middle of a pandemic with another baby on the way.

As I closed my classroom doors in March of 2020, I had no idea I would never return. I made the best of the stay at home orders by making time for myself & making beautiful memories playing and creating with my son before my daughter arrived. I felt a huge shift after her birth. For 8 years, I had the idea of The Playful Space in my back pocket. I asked myself: “if not now, when? With the support of my incredible husband and friends, I hosted my first creative retreat in January 2021 and 50 more events (and counting) would follow!

COVID to me will always be a blessing because it illuminated my purpose. What started as a private Instagram account during the darkest time of my life bloomed into a business of connecting and sharing the gift of play and creativity with others. My story comes full circle with every woman I meet. It is absolutely exhilarating to witness women connect with each other, get out of their comfort zones and dig into their inner creative selves.

I am constantly learning and growing alongside these women. A lesson that I love sharing is “don’t just dip your toes in, you have to cannonball”! Make a splash and watch the ripple effect. When it comes to stepping into your purpose, building a business, or just committing to something small, you just have to jump in and go for it. It’s okay to not know it all and come to every decision and experience with a beginner’s mindset. Tell your dreams to the right people, ask for help and you will slowly build your tribe. The Playful Space would not exist without my wonderful community of cheerleaders and supporters. They have been the number one contributing factor to my success in business. I promise you…just leap and the net will appear.

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
Bakersfield, California has my heart! I have lived in big cities such as Chicago, San Francisco and Vancouver, but nothing compares to the community of my hometown. We would begin with a hike in the Kern River Canyon admiring the wildflowers and wild, rushing river.

Next, I would take them to Old Town Kern for a legendary meal on Luigi’s patio and we’d stop at the historic Padre Hotel for a rooftop refreshment.

Then, we would spend the afternoon at The Bakersfield Museum of Art perusing the local artwork and enjoying the dappled sunlight of the sculpture garden.

Lastly, we would cap off the day with Buck Owens’ Crystal Palace for a night of live music and two stepping!

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
My mentor and friend Jessi Reinhart (owner of InHer Compass and Stone Mountain Retreat) deserves a shoutout in my success story. She lit a spark in me to create The Playful Space! In 2019, as I struggled with postpartum depression, she built a retreat experience that gave me perspective, healing, and transformation. She helped me discover that creativity was the antidote to my struggles. Her gifts of encouragement, empathy, and community gave me the confidence to leave my 9-5 and launch my business. She has a true gift in helping women heal and grow and I am forever grateful for her friendship. I dedicate the ripple effect of The Playful Space and all the lives it has touched to her.

ersonalEmilyHay

Website: www.theplayfulspace.org

Instagram: @theplayfulspace

Other: Email hello@theplayfulspace.org Google Business: The Playful Space

Image Credits
Gwen Corona Emily Hay