What Does “Fun” Mean to You?

Marquita Herald
5 min readAug 18, 2021

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The most amazing thing happened to me last week. For days I’d been stuck in trial-and-error mode slogging my way through (around or over) an obstacle to completing a project and finally GOT it!

Out of the blue, this clear as a bell thought popped into my head “This is SO much fun!”

But the real magic was the momentary feeling of absolute joy that accompanied that little epiphany.

We tend to equate fun with play, but any task that pleases us or elicits joy can be fun as well.

I find gardening to be tedious, but for others, it brings happiness and a sense of psychological well-being.

Many people find golf to be a painfully boring sport to watch and to be honest, so do I. But I love to play because I enjoy being outside and the game takes skill and an uncommon level of focus. You simply cannot play a decent round of golf if you’re thinking about anything else.

My moment of joy was a natural reaction to doing something that pleases me — the satisfaction of learning new skills and solving a challenging puzzle.

Lighten up, be curious, don’t be afraid to dream big, love what you do, love learning, and keep an open heart. Having fun is not a diversion from a successful life; it is the pathway to it. ~Author Unknown

How Do You Define Fun?

Your perception of whether something is fun or not will depend on a variety of factors, including your mindset, ability, and skills, even your environment.

For example, taking public transportation may feel like a tedious, mind-numbing activity if you are heading to work, but a lot of fun if you’re on an outing with a group of friends, enjoying each other’s company and chatting about your plans for the day.

What is clear is that fun is a subjective construct. What seems like fun to one person might be perceived differently by somebody else.

Here are a few things I consider to be fun activities.

Road trips, getting off the grid and exploring new places, curling up with a new mystery/thriller and a good glass of wine, hiking with my dog, learning and developing new skills, and accomplishing anything that someone has told me I would never be able to do.

These things may be boring as dirt to you, but that’s okay, they work for me — and that’s the whole point.

Interestingly, once we become aware of our fun triggers, we often find a central theme.

You may find that the activities that are the most fun for you typically have to do with sports and competition, spending quality time with your family, or exercising your creativity.

Today was good, today was fun. Tomorrow is another one ~Dr.Seuss

Why Having Fun Matters

Fun activities are not only proven stress relievers; they provide a source of eustress, the “good” kind of stress that keeps you feeling vital and alive.

It’s the sense of exhilaration you get from riding a roller coaster or meeting an exciting challenge in your life. We thrive when we have regular eustress in our lives, and fun activities can provide that.

For kids, having fun is not only natural it’s a priority, but as grown-ups, we are less inclined to indulge in what we tend to view as frivolous activities.

Of course, we have the power to change and regain our sense of playfulness anytime we choose to make room for creating more fun in our lives.

Permit Yourself to Lighten Up!

Adult life is so full of responsibilities and commitments, looking after others, and just the noise of everyday living, that we can become disconnected from what fun actually feels like and what it really means to us.

And therein lies the challenge, because how can you become intentional about having more fun in your life, if you don’t know what fun feels like, or what activities are most likely to create that feeling?

Be a Little More Selfish

Making time for activities that you enjoy and taking care of your own needs regularly can be a little daunting at first, but the result of this process is that you learn what drives you, what excites you, and what motivates you

It can also have a dramatically positive effect on your health, overall happiness, and relationships.

Stop Being Overly Focused on Rules

Some rules make sense and are good for us, however living a life based on others’ rules, needs, and expectations can stifle your self-expression and creativity, not to mention your potential.

Scare Yourself Once in Awhile

Where would a discussion on personal growth be without our old nemesis the comfort zone? When we allow ourselves to stay cozy within our self-imposed boundaries, doing the same things day-in-and-day-out, we miss out on people and experiences that can enrich our lives.

Resign as General Manager of the Universe

While it is admirable to take pride in being responsible and socially conscious, focusing all your energy on solving other people’s problems or ruminating about how bad things are in the world rarely solves anything.

Learn to empower others by letting them solve their own problems. If you want to make a difference in the world vote every chance you get, volunteer in your community, and donate a portion of your earnings to worthy causes.

Then focus on what’s good about yourself and your life and work on bringing a little more joy and happiness into the world around you.

Stop Thinking Fun Has Anything to Do With Your Age

Contrary to what some believe, the ability to have fun does not diminish with age. On the contrary, having fun is about attitude and the ability to take pleasure in the simplest of things.

One of my best friends is a remarkable woman of 80 who has the energy and drive of someone thirty years younger. My late grandmother was 105 when she passed away and right up to the end she loved debating politics, watching roller derby, and telling a good joke, the dirtier the better.

So, are you having fun?

If the answer is yes, great! If your answer is no, maybe you have just lost touch with what the term fun means to you and it’s time to give yourself permission to lighten up and intentionally add a little more fun to your life.

Self-awareness is the key to understanding how to have more fun in your life.

It’s about becoming aware of the activities that spark feelings of joy and happiness — you know the feeling where you are totally in the moment, and just for that time, you don’t have a care in the world?!

Here’s to living and loving your resilient life!

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Marquita Herald
Marquita Herald

Written by Marquita Herald

Resilient Living Strategist | Transformational Author & Guide, unapologetic Introvert, lover of road trips, peanut butter cookies, and a dog named Lucy,

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