Ways to Play

Welcome to Ways to Play—a living library of how we Play in the Dark.

Here, you’ll find real stories and reflections from the messy, magical, and deeply human journey of embracing the unknown. Each post is an invitation to meet your own darkness with curiosity, compassion, and play—discovering new ways to connect with yourself and the world around you.

Danielle Rifkin 7/15/25 Danielle Rifkin 7/15/25

Origin Story

Truthfully, the origins of How to Play in the Dark have been unfolding throughout my life. My challenges of getting lost in the dark, the heaviness, the contraction and struggling to feel joy or light in those times DROVE ME. My inability to bypass or side step my pain BEGGED FOR ANSWERS. My self-consciousness and awkwardness in moments of play FUELED ME. My frozen and fawning parts that didn’t know how to take up space or express myself CRAVED SUPPORT. My curiosity and creativity were PLANTING POSSIBILITIES.

AND THEN… last summer there was a coalescing that happened like the best juicy epiphany you could imagine.

How a cat fight became part of my origin story!!!