EMBRACING SELF CARE AT QWESHUNDA DAY 2025

We were happy to be part of the 5th edition of Qweshunga, a space that was created to help adults relax, play and reconnect with the joy we often lose in the rush of everyday life. Many times, we are too busy with work, bills and responsibilities that we forget how it feels to simply play, laugh and live in the moment. Qweshunga reminded us that we all need to pause sometimes and just be free.

The event was full of laughter, games, dance and storytelling. We left our serious faces behind and became children again for a day. From skipping ropes and relay races to local games like kwepena and every moment was filled with fun and energy. We ran, cheered, danced and laughed without worrying about who was watching. It all felt refreshing like a weight had been lifted off our shoulders. To everyone reading this, please understand that play is not just for children, it is also a form of self-care for adults. When we play, our bodies release happy hormones that reduce stress and make us feel lighter. It helps us forget our worries, even if just for a while and gives our minds room to breathe. Qweshunga gave us that opportunity to laugh, to connect and to rest in a different kind of way.

Many of us came to the event tired from the week’s work but by the end of the day, we were smiling and full of energy. We didn’t just have fun; we reconnected with each other and ourselves. Sometimes, we think self-care is only about going to the spa or staying home alone but it can also be about playing, dancing and doing the small things that make us happy. One of the best things about Qweshunga is the sense of community it creates as people from different backgrounds come together and feel equal again; no titles, no stress, just humans having fun. We met new people, made friends and shared stories of our childhood and it is those simple conversations that remind us how connected we all are. It was beautiful to see grownups forgetting their worries for a few hours and just having fun like kids.

The qweshunga experience reminded us how important it is to take care of our minds and hearts. Many adults today struggle with stress, loneliness and burnout because we are always chasing goals and rarely stop to rest. Qweshunga showed us that it is okay to slow down and refill our energy, it is okay to laugh loudly, to dance even when we can’t keep up with the rhythm and to take a break from being serious all the time. By end of day, everyone looked relaxed and recharged. Some said it was the first time in a long while that they had laughed that hard, others said it brought back forgotten memories of their childhood; the smell of the grass, the laughter of friends, the joy of winning or losing a game and still feeling proud. It was not just a day of fun, it was therapy in disguise.

For many organizations and teams that joined, Qweshunga was also a lesson for teamwork and creativity. Playing together builds stronger relationships and helps us see each other beyond work roles and creates a sense of trust. When people laugh and enjoy together, they work better together too. Qweshunga reminded us that life is not only about work and survival, but also about living fully. Taking time to rest and play helps us return to work with new ideas and fresh energy, helps us become better friends, colleagues and family members.

At the end of the day, Qweshunga left us with one powerful lesson: self-care does not have to be complicated. It can be found in laughter, in play, in the simple things that make our hearts happy. We all need to take a break sometimes, put our phones aside, forget our to-do lists and just live. Qweshunga was more than just a fun day; it is a reminder that joy is medicine for the soul. We hope more adults embrace this kind of self-care and take time to pause, play and live again because when we take care of ourselves in these simple ways, we become stronger, happier and ready to take on whatever comes next.