Where does fun come from?
As an adult and especially as a teacher, something I have found myself thinking about a lot is how the things that were so fun as a kid are just not quite the same as an adult.
As a teacher, field day is still an exciting / out of the ordinary day, but it is not quite as fun as when you were young because now you are in the one in charge of keeping up with twenty kids.
As an adult, Christmas is still so sacred because of what we celebrate, but it is not quite as magical as when you really believed your new bike came from Santa.
As an employee, snow days are still beautiful but they are not quite as exciting when you have to find childcare and learn how to drive on snow and ice.
Things change.
But did you know that adults are actually still fun?
Think about it. Who plans field day and sets out Santa’s Christmas gifts and comes home from work exhausted but goes out to play in the snow anyways?
Adults create fun for children.
And guess what? Sometimes we need to create it for ourselves too.
Put Fun on the Calendar
As an adult, I have learned it is easy to get stuck in the monotony of work, household chores, sleep, and repeat.
If you are like me, it is easy to get overwhelmed with ever-growing to-do lists, overflowing calendars, and things that in the moment seem so much more urgent than simply having fun.
To be honest, I feel like my fun muscle is pretty weak right now.
But sometimes, you just have to put fun on the calendar.
You have to be intentional about it.
You have to prioritize it.
You have to create it.
Ways to Create More Fun
Need some help exercising your fun muscle too? Here are some ideas to get you started - they start general and get more specific.
Recognize that fun is not a waste of time. In order to make fun more of a habit in your life, you have to see it as worthwhile. Despite what our culture might teach, you are allowed to do things purely for the fun of it.
Don’t take yourself too seriously! Are you a beginner at baking bread? Try anyways! Are you terrible at pickleball but you love to play? Go play! Taking yourself too seriously will allow for a lot of untapped fun in your life.
Unplug. There are certainly fun things you can do that involve technology, but often our devices are also associated with work emails, grocery lists, and that one text message we really need to respond to. Designate a time to unplug, and see where the real world takes you!
Leave margin in your life for spontaneous fun. In John Mark Comer’s book, The Ruthless Elimination of Hurry, he argues how important margin is for rest. And I would submit to you that margin is just as important for fun. I say yes to putting fun on the calendar. AND I also say yes to carving out room for spontaneous fun as well.
Do the things you loved as a kid. When I was growing up, I would end every night snuggled up in my parent’s bed with my Mom - both of us reading a book. It was a hobby I learned from her but loved all on my own. I also loved dancing, writing, and riding my bike. Whatever it is for you, make time for the things that make you feel like a kid again.
Set aside money for fun. This is not the most sexy way to create more fun in your life, but it is incredibly practical. Make a category in your budget, or set aside some extra cash. There are plenty of free things to do for fun, but when you do need a little money, it is nice to already have it ready.
Break the script. This is a concept I learned from The Power of Moments by Chip and Dan Heath. The idea is, in our minds, we have developed a “script” of what we expect every type of activity or encounter to be like. When you “break the script”, you defy those expectations. This might look like cooking a new recipe, waking up super early, reading a new genre, trying a new workout. Think of something that is completely out of your norm - that is breaking the script.
Romanticize the little things. Light a candle while you read at night, make a fun drink while you cook dinner, take extra time making your coffee, blast your favorite song while you fold the laundry, make a fun dessert after dinner, dance in the rain, make tea before bed. Whatever it is that makes your day feel just a little more elevated - do that.
Make plans to look forward to. When you look out over your year or even just the next few months, do you have anything you are looking forward to? Think concerts, vacations, or day trips. They don’t have to be expensive - you can explore a neighboring town, visit a friend who lives an hour away, or take a scenic drive. Just be sure to put them on the calendar as soon as you can! Spontaneity is exciting, but many times, half the fun is the anticipation.
Designate a space in your house for fun. If you have the space, I think it is a great idea to create an allocated “fun space” in your home. This could be a place where you keep instruments, craft supplies, or books. You could add tons of color and fun artwork to this area. Maybe you make a fun jar where you can write down ideas of ways to create fun and pick one out when you are lacking inspiration. Make it work for you!
Plan more casual hangouts with friends. All of us want community, but the way our lives are structured today does not make it easy. Be the person in your circle who plans things. Invite friends over to watch a football game or a movie. Ask someone to grab a coffee before work. Meet up to go book shopping. It doesn’t have to be complicated to be fun!
Dance! In The Secrets of the Blue Zones documentary on Netflix, one of the things they discover that aides in living a long, healthy life is dance. This is because dance is a type of exercise that can easily be natural, consistent, and centered around community - making it great for both our mental and physical health. Plus, it’s fun!
Take more walks / get outside more. Walking is good for your mental health and your physical health, and I would argue it is good for your creative health as well! Go on a walk somewhere you think is beautiful, and don’t be afraid to be silly - run, skip, hop like a frog, lay down in the grass, look up at the clouds.
Plan date nights. Set aside specific blocks of time to just focus on fostering fun in your relationship - this could be a date night with your spouse, best friend, son or daughter, mom or dad. Take turns planning it, or come up with weekly rhythms (at home, coffee, dinner out, movie night, game night).
Workout with others. If you are going to be working out anyways, why not do it with friends? Take a workout class, join a gym, or just get together in your garage to do a video workout together. It doesn’t have to be expensive or extravagant, but try to incorporate fun into things you are already doing - like working out!
Watch something funny. Sometimes we just need a little help to laugh, and that’s okay! Put on your favorite video, TV show, romantic comedy, or comedian to remind you that creating fun and laughter is an art!
Plan themed parties with friends. This could be a book club, a karaoke night, a Galentine’s party, a summer solstice celebration, a game night, a bonfire, a murder mystery party, a picnic, an escape room party - the possibilities are endless (the escape room games look like so much fun)! Take the initiative to create fun for the people in your life and for yourself!
Attend a local or online class to learn a new skill. There are so many online courses and platforms nowadays where you can learn any new skill your heart desires. There are also many places where you can take classes in person. (This past weekend I took a class learning to make elderberry syrup!) Grab a friend, and go be a beginner at something!
Explore your local community. Whether you are brand new to a place or have lived there your whole life, I am sure there is something new to discover! Go to your local library, find a walking path, attend a farmer’s market, try a new restaurant or coffee shop, or search for local festivals and events.
Watch sunrise or sunset. I like to think that when God is coloring the sky with all the shades of the rainbow every morning and night that He is having at least a little fun. Maybe we should follow suit.
That wraps up my list! Comment or email me something you do to create fun in your life!
4 Books on Fun!
In case you are interested in studying more about fun, here are a few books I have read or want to read on the topic.
That Sounds Fun: The Joys of Being an Amateur, the Power of Falling in Love, and Why You Need a Hobby by Annie F. Downs
The Power of Fun: How to Feel Again by Catherine Price
Play: How It Shapes the Brain, Opens the Imagination, and Invigorates the Soul by Stuart Brown
The Fun Habit: How the Pursuit of Joy and Wonder Can Change Your Life by Mike Rucker
Thank you so much for reading! I hope this gave you some ideas of how to put fun on your calendar this week and make time for the things that truly matter.
Talk to you next Monday!
Take care,
Caroline