There must be something written there Speaking of my personality, for the past three years, one of my New Year’s resolutions has been to “have more fun.” Well, it’s not just about having more fun… but learn How to have fun. As a typical Enneagram Three, my strong work ethic can sometimes get in the way of my Living life to the fullest is the ultimate goal, so every January 1st when I write in my journal how I want the coming year to be, I always write: “More joy, more laughter, more play.”
In the grand scheme of things, the start of 2024 seems like a long time ago. We’ve passed winter, spring, and now we’re on the brink of autumn. This is arguably the best time of the year, with hope and warmer, brighter days ahead. But the excitement of making resolutions often fizzles after a few months, and it can seem impossible to regain the same motivation you once felt.
I’ve always been pretty serious. When I’m focused and have a goal in mind, it’s hard to look outside my carefully laid out plan of action. But I know that breaking that script, in order to become more carefree, is what I need to feel more joy in my daily experiences. When I’m on a long hike or at the beach, it’s easy to slip into a mind that’s focused on enjoying life rather than checking things off my to-do list. And certainly, the beauty of nature tends to awaken that spirit in many of us. But I think it has something to do with the fact that we feel more alive when the flow of life is interrupted.
How to enjoy life today
I started 2024 by downloading the aptly titled book The power of fun: How to feel alive again. Author Catherine Price ( This is another favorite) begins by breaking down her definition of “real fun.” think Things that seem fun turn out to be less satisfying upon closer inspection — things like binge-watching a show or scrolling through social media she categorizes as “false pleasure.”
“False pleasure numbs us and leaves us feeling empty after it’s over. Real pleasure nourishes us and refreshes us.”
I believe that even when serious events are happening around us, we can incorporate play and laughter into our daily lives while showing empathy and compassion. I draw inspiration from my reading and experiences and learn to enjoy the small everyday moments that bring surprise and excitement to life.
Enjoyment is preparation
Let’s take an example that most of us encounter every day: making dinner. It’s Tuesday night, and two women are making the exact same dinner: say, lasagna. One is half-paying attention to what she’s doing while thinking about the work problems of the day. And one is cursing herself for picking a recipe that calls for layers of noodles, cheese, and sauce because she still has to pack lunches and answer emails. That’s a bit much for a Tuesday.
The other woman? She’s barefoot in her kitchen, blasting music, and enjoying the experience of doing what she loves. Maybe she’s layering with the help of her family. Maybe she’s pouring herself a glass of wine and enjoying what it feels like to be doing what she loves on a Tuesday night. Same situation, but a completely different experience.
Or think about the simple act of conversation we have every day, with strangers, family, and friends. There are conversations that are boring and those that are considered “joking”; make out? It all depends on how we look at it.
Real fun is playfulness, connection and flow
In his book, Price lists three elements necessary to experience true enjoyment in life: playfulness, connection, and flow. Playfulness is a spirit of ease and freedom, not thinking too much about everyday responsibilities and being fully immersed in whatever you’re doing.
“When people are playful, they shine.”
Connection is a shared experience with another person or thing. It could be nature, a favorite activity (such as painting), an animal, or a connection with another person. Connection occurs when a person is “able to be with someone and yet feel completely themselves at the same time.”
And “flow” is a word that describes that feeling of being so immersed in the present experience that you lose track of time — the feeling of being so absorbed in whatever you’re doing that every fiber of your being is involved.
If your goal is to have more fun, you could look for experiences that satisfy all three of these elements or look for ways to incorporate more of each element into your daily life. Playfulness, connection, and flow With this, you can experience the magic of true fun.
Embrace the idea of unconditional enjoyment
My definition of unconditional enjoyment is: You don’t have to wait for things to be a certain way to have fun. It is not dependent on what is going on around us. Rather, it is an internal energy shift, a way of navigating the world that is less dependent on external circumstances. Imagine someone who always seems to be having fun.Drew Barrymoreanyone?) Fascinating, right? I was looking for the little moments of joy I can find even on my less-than-perfect days—things that come alive when I’m paying careful, conscious attention.
Break the script and have more fun
A few years ago, I The power of the momentIt’s all about creating more memories and special moments in life, and one of the biggest takeaways for me was the concept of “breaking the script” – turning off autopilot and turning everyday moments into more joyful ones by doing something unexpected.
My favorite recent “break the script” moment:
- Instead of turning on the TV after dinner, take a family walk around the neighborhood.
- Take a bath in the middle of the day with headphones on and a great podcast!
- Find something you like about someone in your life and tell them.
- Instead of Looking My kids play dodgeball, so I jump in and play with them (which is also great exercise).
- Make a fancy cocktail (or mocktail!) this weekend.
- Try something you’ve never done before. I’ve always wanted to try rock climbing.
- Create a new recipe.
- Read poetry instead of non-fiction.
- Look for unexpected opportunities to do acts of kindness. Trust me, they’re everywhere.
- When the kids are in their pajamas and asleep, announce that you’re going out for ice cream.
- Buy yourself some flowers. Spend money on peonies.
- I wake up early and do my morning meditation in the backyard. Watching the sunrise changes my day.
Start saying “yes”
Don’t get me wrong. I’m no longer in the era of accepting anything just because an opportunity presents itself. Instead, Intentional Yes, that means you’ve considered the request and thoughtfully considered whether it aligns with your current energy or the goals you’re willing to embrace. The key is to take a careful pause before committing, but once you’ve decided it supports the path you want to pursue, then it’s time to go all in.
So whether it’s a surprise trip, a new job opportunity, or simply an invitation to meet a new friend for coffee, think about what that “yes” really means and act accordingly.
Spontaneity is the spice of life
I also learned The power of the moment New experiences slow down time and imprint memories in our brains. As kids, we experienced many firsts. Instead of checking “water the plants” off our to-do lists, we admired the tiny wings of a hummingbird or watched earthworms burrow into the soil. I’ll never forget my mother occasionally declaring, “Banana split for dinner!” Of course, it wasn’t healthy, per se, but the spontaneity of that evening filled my spirit in a way that broccoli never could.
Instead of viewing the unknown and uncertainties in life as “stress,” why not view them as an opportunity to rediscover the childlike mind that was with us as we lived each day? Back then, we couldn’t plan for everything, and there are still many things we can’t plan for now.
So, live life to the fullest. Smile generously, laugh easily, look for opportunities for fun and break the routine. Life is too short. Be ready to play.
Source: Camille Styles – camillestyles.com
