When was the last time you did something simply because it brought you joy? Not because it was productive. Not because it helped your career. Not because it belonged on your to-do list.
In this episode of the InspirED Podcast, Andrea De La Cerda explores why so many ambitious women gradually lose their connection to play, curiosity, and wonder as they navigate careers, family, leadership, and the endless responsibilities of adulthood.
Drawing from her own journey through corporate leadership, entrepreneurship, and burnout, Andrea shares how productivity quietly replaced presence and why rediscovering joy became an essential part of rebuilding a meaningful life. She explains why play isn't a luxury—it's a biological necessity that supports creativity, emotional resilience, innovation, and well-being.
Through research from developmental psychology, neuroscience, and organizational behavior, along with practical reflection questions and simple daily practices, Andrea invites listeners to redefine success by making space for curiosity, delight, and the experiences that make life feel fully alive.
Whether you've forgotten what you love or simply haven't given yourself permission to enjoy it, this episode is a reminder that joy isn't something you earn after the work is finished. It may be the very thing that fuels your best work.
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CHAPTERS
00:47 Rediscovering Joy and Curiosity
01:14 Checking every box society handed us.
02:05 We stop asking what sounds fun
03:10 Unknowingly turned every experience in the day-to-day into performance
05:02 The harder we try to optimize every moment, the less fully we experience any of them
06:31 Famous Quotes to Note
08:31 Romanticizing your life
10:56 The Importance of Play in Adulthood
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RESOURCES
Business Audit
The InspirED Rewrite
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ABOUT ANDREA DE LA CERDA
Andrea De La Cerda is a highly accomplished communications professional with over 25 years of experience in the fields of advertising, communications and marketing. Throughout her career, Andrea has held key positions in renowned advertising agencies, brand consultancies and in-house marketing departments before creating Kandula. She possesses a deep understanding of consumer behavior and market trends, allowing her to develop innovative communication strategies that resonate with diverse audiences. Andrea received both her B.A. in Advertising and Business Administration and a M.A. in Education from Pepperdine. She is currently pursuing her Accreditation in Public Relations and is a member of PRSA.
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Kandula works with nonprofits, entrepreneurs, educational institutions, and established brands dedicated to expanding their influence and amplifying their impact through purpose-driven communication strategies. Reach out to work with us! 👇🏼
https://kandulacommunications.com/
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Related to Today's Topic:
why play matters for adults, ambitious women, curiosity, creativity, burnout recovery, women and burnout, personal growth, work-life balance, romanticizing your life, intentional living, women entrepreneurs, emotional well-being, self-care, creativity and innovation, joyful living, authentic living, women in leadership, mindfulness, life balance, personal development
