Actively seek out experiences that combine playfulness (a carefree, intrinsically motivating spirit), connection (social togetherness), and flow (true immersion in a challenging activity) to achieve ’true fun’ and enhance well-being.
To reduce distraction and boost playfulness and connection, consciously train your brain to focus on ‘delights’ – attractive things that naturally make you feel good – rather than solely trying to avoid distractions. This practice quickly makes positive observations more frequent and effortless.
Adopt a daily practice of noticing ‘delights’ by quickly scribbling them down by hand, or simply acknowledging them mentally if short on time. This fosters presence, joy, resilience, and a deep sense of gratitude.
Don’t casually label activities as ‘fun’; instead, critically investigate how they genuinely make you feel emotionally and physically. This helps distinguish true fun from superficial leisure that may not actually be beneficial for your well-being.
Consciously reduce distractions, especially from devices, to break the cycle of perceived time scarcity and stress. Engaging in genuine fun activities naturally makes device use less appealing without needing willpower.
Integrate deliberate breaks for fun activities into your routine. This counter-intuitively leads to increased productivity, more creative ideas, and reduced burnout when returning to tasks.
Prioritize the pursuit of fun not just for immediate enjoyment, but for long-term physical health (by reducing stress hormones) and to cultivate a deeper sense of meaning and aliveness in life.
Identify one activity you’ve always wanted to do but claim ’no time’ for, then immediately sign up for a class or opportunity to learn it. This can unlock unexpected joy and a sense of purpose, as demonstrated by Catherine Price learning guitar.
When attempting to reorient towards fun, ensure the process itself feels interesting, curious, and enjoyable, rather than burdensome or like work. If it starts to feel like work, you’re on the wrong path.
Differentiate between true, active flow (present immersion) and ‘junk flow’ (passive, zoned-out screen time like endless scrolling). Prioritize activities that foster true engagement for genuine fun and well-being, avoiding passive consumption.
To effectively discover what truly feels fun, cultivate self-compassion when trying new things. Allow for experimentation and new experiences without harsh self-judgment.