Find Your Fun

Fall is my season of fun, and Halloween has been my favorite holiday since I was a kid. I love everything about it--the costumes, the excitement of kids trick-or-treating, the wacky Halloween houses with their 10-foot skeletons, dogs in costume, our local Trail of Terror. Every year, I turn into a teenager again as I plan my perfect costume, decorate the house, cozy up for scary movie marathons, and indulge in all the spooky fun I can find. This year, I perfected my Corpse Bride dress, decked out my house, and am meal- planning for my upcoming Halloween party. For me, Halloween embodies all that is fun in life--playfulness, joy, silliness, creativity, good food and friendship. But, fun shouldn’t be relegated to a certain time of year. It should be woven into the tapestry of our day-to-day lives.

I believe one of the most important forms of self-care is finding your fun--whatever that looks like for you. Many people think that fun and play is frivolous, only for children. They believe that adults are meant to be serious and productive. Here’s a terrifying statistic: the average four-year-old laughs 300 times a day, while the average forty-year-old laughs four times. Heartbreaking, isn’t it? What is life without laughter? Fun is essential for a happy and healthy life and is so often overlooked as we get caught up in our to-do lists and responsibilities.

In her book, The Power of Fun, Catherine Price defines fun as a blend of playfulness, connection, and flow—a state where we lose track of time and are fully immersed in the moment. We become fully ourselves! This often happens in the company of others, as you might notice when thinking back upon the moments in your life when you had the most fun. Introducing more fun into your life offers many benefits:

• Improved Well-being: Fun activities decrease stress levels, enhance mood, and can support resilience, helping us to cope with life’s ups and downs.

• Better Relationships: Laughing, playing and being silly together creates stronger relationships and feelings of connection with others.

• Increased Creativity: Playfulness and fun relax the mind which in turn enhances creativity, aiding in productivity and problem solving.

The first step to having fun is to adopt a “fun mindset” by staying open to new experiences and embracing a playful attitude towards life. The next step is to identify activities that bring you joy. If nothing comes to mind right away, think about the times when you felt truly joyful, connected, and fully present. Recall those moments when time seemed to stop, and you were completely absorbed in the experience. What were you doing? Who were you with? You might also reflect on the things you loved doing as a child. For example, I loved wandering through the woods and along railroad beds, and to this day, I find joy in hiking and being in nature. The final step is to intentionally create opportunities for playfulness within your daily life.

Ways to Bring More Fun into Your Life:

1. Be Curious: Try or learn something new--step out of your comfort zone.

• Sample new foods.

• Take a class.

• Explore a new town, neighborhood or museum.

• Actively look for the beauty around you.

2. Schedule Playtime with Friends and Family: Plan regular get-togethers that encourage fun and connection.

• Host a game night or pool party.

• Enjoy themed or costume parties (one of my favorites!).

3. Choose Hobbies That Fully Engage Your Body or Mind

• Find activities that bring you into “flow”—where you’re fully absorbed in the experience. My go-to’s are yoga and hiking, but yours might be running, playing piano, or getting lost in a great book.

• Join a Club: Find a group that shares your interests to add social fun to your hobbies.

4. Add Playfulness to Your Daily Tasks: Put a fun twist on your everyday “have to” activities.

• Listen to your favorite music or dance while doing chores.

• Make chores a game for you and your kids.

• Pretend you’re a tourist during your next grocery run!

5. Make Time for Laughter: Regularly schedule a little humor.

• Bookmark favorite videos, clips, comics or memes.

• Watch something funny (I love NFL Bad Lip Readings).

• Cue up a clip of a baby giggling—guaranteed smiles!

• Share jokes or memes with friends, family and coworkers.

6. Get Creative: Embrace activities that let you express yourself.

• Dance like no one is watching (or go all out if you’ve got the moves!).

• Sing in the Shower.

• Add some color to your style—maybe wear something other than black (I’m talking to myself here!).

• Reorganize or redecorate your space to bring joy into your surroundings.

Life is busy, and it's easy to get wrapped up in responsibilities. But making time for fun isn’t just a break; it’s a vital part of living a happy and healthy life. Embrace curiosity, laughter, and play in whatever ways feel right for you. Fun isn’t just for kids—it’s for anyone who wants to feel more connected, joyful, and truly alive. So, what will you do to add a little more fun to your life this week?