My Quest for Fun
This may seem like a silly idea for a blog post. We all have fun right? It seems to be a no brainer. But for some reason I found myself questioning what it is that I actually do for fun. I was reading a book and listening to speakers talking about seeking out “fun” and I realized that it’s not something that I do with intention. I love what I do for work, I love my friends, I love my alone time, but am I ever actually setting out to an activity with the intention of just having fun? As I’ve gotten a little older I would say I’ve become more career focused and less social. Although I am at peace with this, I also believe that there is a balance that is necessary that I have been struggling to find. Sometimes I wish I had a better answer to “what’s new” than I have a new class on my work schedule (but come try it, I promise you’ll love it). I wouldn’t necessary consider myself a serious person, but I would say that I’m focused. I didn’t want different, I wanted more.
When I started to think about this first of all I realized that I am blessed to have a life that is effortlessly enjoyable. I love my work and have fun every moment that I get to interact with people in class. I make a conscious effort to practice self care and recharge when I have the opportunity to do so. My best idea of a “good time” is going to different workout classes or moving my body. It makes me feel good so I consider it a good use of my time. And while this is absolutely true, someone asked me what it is that I like to do that doesn’t involve moving my body. Not kidding, I could not think of one thing. I legit asked my coworker to write me a list of things she likes to do for fun in the LA area for inspiration. Hiking? No that’s active. Paddle boarding? Same. Eating food with friends? Yes, but ultimately that is a basic human need. So I decided to figure it out. Hence my “Quest for Fun”. I do not have a 9-5 so it allows me a lot of time in the middle of the day when most people are at work. I usually spend this time working from home and accomplishing the tasks on my checklist that seems never ending. But this one day I decided to turn on a podcast. Not a spiritual podcast (which I usually gravitate towards to enhance my spiritual connection, but this time I wanted to do something different). I stumbled upon this podcast “Almost 30” and I swear it was meant to be. Not only was I laughing by myself (with my dog looking at me like a f*#king crazy person) but I was relating, and truly enjoying the time I was spending listening to these girls talk about the things that I discuss on a daily basis with my girlfriends. And before I knew it, I was having fun! I had found something that didn’t require me to move my body and I truly enjoyed. I didn’t know at the time that this podcast would lead me to people that I was meant to interact with.
I was so excited to have connected to something that was truly honoring me and my time that I continued further. I started making new recipes, writing more, trying out new coffee shops, and reading books that have been sitting on my shelves for months (ok years). I took an overnight trip to Ojai and just got to relax and enjoy the beautiful space I was in. This podcast led me to an incredible event called “Love Your Body” that was life changing and a guest on their talk, the only doctor that has been able to help me with some health issues I had been having for months. Now don’t get me wrong, I am still inspired to move every single day and cherish that time, but I am also fully aware that I CAN have fun without moving my body. WHO KNEW?!
So the moral of this story is not that I am now the hobby queen of my neighborhood or that I am a changed woman. But I am having fun. Intentionally. A lot of times when people suggest that I take time to take care of myself, my first thought is to go to yoga or take a bath, both of which are wonderful solutions, but not the only ones. I can also nurture my inner child that sometimes feels like she’s way (way) deep inside of me, but she’s there. We all deserve to have a little bit of fun. To do things spontaneously (working on that). And to enjoy life on a deeper level. One fun thing led to another and now it is a part of my to do lists. I plan time for self care, I plan time to move my body, and now I plan time to just enjoy life. I live across the street from the beach and until last week I couldn’t tell you the last time I had gone and just sat there listening to music.
So have some fun. Do something that scares you. Do something that makes you uncomfortable. Go somewhere new with the intention of just being in the moment. Allow new things to come into your life. Trust that when you’re having fun, you’re honoring a part of you that needs it. You’re taking care of yourself. Maybe that “fun” will lead you somewhere that you needed to be. Maybe it will lead you to people that will have an impact on your life. And maybe, just maybe, you’ll actually enjoy it.
Those are just some…
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