Recently I was talking to a friend and we were discussing how at times life can seem like a routine, “boring” (yes, I said it) when we stop having fun and don’t take time to do the things we enjoy. When was the last time you did something fun?
Why We’re Not Having Fun
Often we get caught up in work, house chores, family duties, taking care of all the things we feel we must do and many times we don’t enjoy some of them yet we don’t make time for fun, the things we enjoy the most. A few months ago, I started thinking about how I’m constantly working and not having much fun time outside my work. While I love what I do, it’s important for me to take the time to have fun unrelated to work as well as I’ll either burn out or start resenting my work.
I made a note to myself and started adding fun activities to my calendar. No matter how much you love your work, if you don’t take the time to do something nice for you, go out with friends, go dancing, hiking, whatever it is you enjoy and brings you joy; you’ll burn out and the quality of your health and work will suffer.
The Benefits of Having Fun
You want to include fun in your life on a regular basis and sometimes it may require leaving things undone and that’s fine as long as no one is going to die over it. Often we get comfortable with our lives and don’t make the effort to keep it interesting, fun and later wonder what’s going on. Taking time to have fun makes you feel great, rejuvenated and gets you ready to go back to work or do the other things in life you need to do. It can even be putting music on and dancing for 10-15 minutes every day or few times a week.
Yesterday I was having a productive day, hadn’t taken a break in a while and it was a nice and warmer day. I love warm weather and being outdoors. I live in Washington, DC and we’ve had a pretty cold winter but spring is finally visiting us on some days lately. I made a commitment to myself this week to go to the park and have some fresh air and get some sun on our warmer days for 1-2 hours. I got caught up with work and wanted to keep going. However, due to my commitment to myself about doing something I enjoy, I stopped working for a few hours and went to the park. I came back feeling great and ready to finish what was on my to do list for the day.
Your life, relationships won’t always have that spark naturally and it is up to you to make sure you keep them fun and interesting by doing the things you love and are interested in. Keep that fire alive in you, your home, and your relationships by doing the things that bring you joy. You’ll be a happier and healthier person if you do so.
Tweet this! [tweetable]Life is short, enjoy every minute of it and have lots of fun! [/tweetable]
What do you do for fun and has this post inspired you to do something fun if you haven’t in a while? I’d love to hear your thoughts, experiences and your fun ideas in the comments section thanks!
Love and light!
Comments 14
Amen to that! One of my very favorite topics to write about as well. Now I’m off to have some fun. The sun is out!
Author
Thanks for commenting Kristen! Great, I’m sure you enjoyed the sun being out! 🙂
Thanks for this great reminder! Well the last time I had fun was just this Tuesday with the kids but I feel like I should be doing this on a daily basis.
Author
Thanks for sharing your thoughts Ella and yes, go for it! 🙂
Great post! It is so important for me to remember to take time for leisure activities, even when I love what I do and enjoy my “obligations”. I find that if I neglect taking time out for fun, it is just as you said, things start to lose their spark and become less enjoyable. Reading has always been one my favorite leisure activities.
Author
Thanks for sharing Cathy, I enjoy reading as well! I’m currently reading a fiction book and haven’t done so in a while. As you mentioned very important to keep that spark. 🙂
I had *fun* reading this post! Thank you for sharing it! It’s amazing what happens when we make fun a part of our routine 🙂
Author
You’re welcome and thank for your feedback Erika! 🙂
This is such a great reminder – after all, isn’t having fun what life really should be about?!
I also find that making the effort to do fun stuff always inspires me in some way with my work or home life or another area of my life. It’s all part of the same, wonderful loop of life 🙂
Author
Yes and thanks for sharing Andrea! Life is about having fun indeed! 🙂
You are so right, taking time out for yourself for a little fun is going to help you achieve more in the long run. I’ve learned this lesson the hard way with a major burn out. Since then I’ve reminded myself every day to take time for me. I’m happier, my relationships are better, and I’m more motivated to succeed!
Author
Thank you for sharing your personal experience Krystal and glad that you’re having more fun and enjoying the effects of it in your life! 🙂
I love this! I went to a conference and a stress expert said his patients often couldn’t think of that they’d do for fun if they had 4 hours to do anything they wanted, and that made me sad. It is so important to happiness! A skill even! I can get “too busy” certain days, so its good to remember it will help me be more productive too!
Author
Thanks for sharing Ana, it is sad! Happiness is important and it does have an impact in all the areas in our lives! 🙂