There’s no dearth of people trying to tell you where the fun begins in your life.
However, there is no fun in listening to others. The trick is tuning out the noise and tuning into your values and what matters to you.
That’s easier said than done. But the sooner you live life on your own terms, the sooner you’ll find the space where your fun begins.
Understanding fun
Fun is most easily understood as an emotional state filled with joy, contentment and sense of fulfilment. It’s also tied to a sense of life satisfaction and subjective well-being. It’s founded on trust that things are going to be alright.
The fun begins when you finally get your dream life, feel like you’ve accomplished (or will accomplish) what you want, and have a good quality of life.
While this is certainly true, we can expand a little bit. Having fun isn’t just a “thing” you can have — it’s a habit you must cultivate.
Small (and cost-free) tips on how to enjoy life
Money can’t buy you fun, but it offers some stability and gives you access to extra support if you need it.
And if you’re wondering how to enjoy life without money, don’t worry: it’s very possible. Here are some completely free and simple ways you can practice happiness. All you need is time and a bit of effort — you can even start today.
1. Develop a gratitude attitude
Human beings have a bias towards negativity. If you can overcome that, you can reduce your risk of mental health conditions like- Stress, anxiety and depression. You can even lower your susceptibility to physical health conditions like chronic pain and disease.
If you can find something to be grateful for every day, life won’t feel as heavy. You’ll start noticing all the good happens on a regular basis — even if they’re just small things.
This doesn’t mean ignoring difficult truths. It simply means appreciating the good in the world while acknowledging the bad. This will help you have a more fulsome view of reality and enjoy your life more.
2. Find a reason to laugh
There’s truth to the old adage, “Laughter is the best medicine.” It reduces stress level, fights disease, and improves your overall health. It’s also a way to strengthen your connection with other people.
Here are some tips to add more laughter to your life:
- Figure out what makes you laugh and make time for it
- Hang out with fun people as often as you can
- Try to make other people laugh with your own jokes
3. Take a nap (no, seriously)
Few things are as blissful as taking a short nap during the day. So why not make this a regular self-care habit? This will depend largely on your lifestyle, but if you have the time and flexibility, 20 minutes is all you need to wake up feeling “rebooted” and ready for a fresh start.
4. Exercise
Working out regularly is definitely fun. When you go out for a run, do pushups, or dance like no one’s watching, your brain releases “happy hormones” called endorphins. These are naturally-produced chemicals that help you experience happiness and fun.
5. Find out what makes you tick
Exploring sense of self will teach you what you need to be happy and in your fun zone.
When you have a handle on what you need, you can adjust your life to accommodate. Here are some examples:
- If you’re not a morning person and love sleeping in, look for work with flexible hours
- If large group hangouts make you tired, prioritize one-on-one interactions with your friends
- If you don’t like solitary exercise like running or lifting weights, try joining a sport or a dance class
6. Nurture positive relationships
As you reflect, identify the positive relationships in your life. Ask yourself:
- Who do you consult when you need support?
- Do you feel better or worse after talking to a certain individual?
- When you think about a certain person, are you excited or filled with dread?
- Is it easy to talk to this person, or does it feel like pulling teeth?
As you think about your answers, try to identify why you feel the way you do. If hanging out with a high-school buddy is draining, you can decide whether it’s worth distancing yourself from this person.
On the flip side, if someone fills you with joy and validation, try to nurture and preserve that relationship. Life is about spending time with the people who love you.
7. Go out and meet people
You don’t need to replace your current group of friends, but expanding your support network is never a bad thing. Meeting new people who fill you with joy will help you through tough times, enjoy life, and give you energy.
8. Create a bucket list and set goals for yourself
A list is a great way to keep an eye on what you want out of life. No item is too ambitious. Write stuff down without a filter and see what comes out.
Then you can create goals to achieve those things. Goals are simply your dreams in action; they’re how you plan to make your ambitions a reality.
You might not be able to achieve every item on your bucket list right away. But you can stack your goals, so one gets you closer to the next and the next until you’re in a better position.
If you dream of spending a year backpacking through Europe, you may need to plan a few extra steps. For example, how much money do you need to survive without a job while traveling? You’ll need to set clear financial goals before pining for that larger traveling goal.
To Conclude
By now, you should have picked up our overarching message for how and where to find your fun : you have to work for it.
Fun isn’t a “thing” you can have as much as it’s a garden you must cultivate. It requires constant time, attention, and prioritizing of what matters to you.
These decisions are sometimes not easy. Some will require you to step out of your comfort zone to make the impossible happen. Some people might also push back because they aren’t used to your new boundaries.
But you can give yourself permission to take control of your own life. If you follow your internal compass, the results can be life-changing.
