Fun is an essential part of life. Without it, life can be dull and mundane. Unfortunately, as we get older, we often forget how important it is to have fun. We become so caught up in work and other responsibilities that we fail to make time for purely enjoyment activities. Depending on your life experience or family role, this could be a horrible habit learned as early as high school or college. However, it’s important to remember that implementing fun into your life and schedule is not a luxury – it’s a necessity.
Tactics to incorporate into your day to increase the chances of you enjoying life:
1. Be intentional in making time for fun. Being intentional means setting aside time each week or day to do something you find pleasurable. It could be as simple as reading a book, walking, or taking a yoga class. Whatever it is, make sure it’s something that brings you joy. If you don’t set aside the time, it’s easy to let the weeks, months, and even years fly by without prioritizing it.
2. Stop taking life extremely seriously. Westernized society trains us to be serious all the time. We are supposed to be walking billboards for perfection without making any waves. However, this way of living can be damaging if we can’t find balance. It’s important to remember that life is supposed to be enjoyed, not just endured. Whenever possible, try to lighten up and enjoy fun moments.
3. Find your sense of humor. This one is closely related to the previous point. Life is much more enjoyable if you can learn to laugh at yourself and situations. When things go wrong in some instances, try to see the funny side. It might not be easily accessible directly, but it will help you rebound to make a quick transition.
4. Make time for friends and family. Spending time with people who already know how to enjoy life makes it easier to convert. If you don’t have close friends or family nearby, try joining social clubs or groups that align with your interests. It is a great way to meet new people and potentially create relationships, memories, and moments that you will cherish forever.
5. Do something new and out of your comfort zone. It will help keep life interesting and exciting and give you a sense of adventure. It could be as simple as trying a new food or exploring a new part of town. You could also sign up for a more adventurous activity, like rock climbing or skydiving. Whatever it is, expanding your comfort zone will add some excitement to your life.
6. Find your inner child. We often lose touch with our childhood sense of wonder and exploration as we get older. One way to rediscover it is to find activities you loved as a child and try to do them again. It could be as simple as flying a kite, riding a bike, playing in the sand, or playing in the park.
7. Simplify your life. This doesn’t mean making everything easy – it means eliminating unnecessary stressors and obligations. If you can free up some time in your schedule, you will have more time for what you enjoy. It may require some tough decisions, like saying no to specific commitments, but it will be worth it.
8. Look forward to something exciting each day. It could be anything from reading a new chapter in your book to taking a different route home from work. It doesn’t have to be a big event but having something to look forward to can help make the day more bearable and enjoyable. It also helps in training the brain to maximize each moment.
9. Care less about the opinions of others. We often find ourselves focused on what other people think of us and how we live our lives. However, this can be extremely draining and stressful. It’s important to remember that you cannot please everyone all the time. Do what makes you happy, and don’t worry about what others think. The person experiencing the most freedom is usually the person who is not reliant on the opinions of others.
10. Be spontaneous. One of the best ways to enjoy life is not planning every detail. Of course, it’s essential to be organized and have a general idea of what you want to do. But don’t be afraid to go with the flow and see where life takes you. Being spontaneous does not happen overnight and can take a lot of adjustment.
Stop and think about the last time you made time to have uninterrupted unrestrained fun. What were you doing? How did it feel? Was it an activity or a moment? A memory? Now, make a promise to yourself to have more of those moments – and make them a priority.