When was the last time you had fun? That might sound like a light-hearted question, but I take my fun seriously!
I remember asking my ex-husband this question, and he couldn’t answer me. I started to ask my friends and colleagues, and they’d usually answer with “Oh, maybe during my last vacation,” or “At a party a while back…”
A study reports that 97 percent of Americans believe fun is important in their day, yet 53 percent feel limited in their ability to live a happy life.
I recently saw this book cover on social media and thought, “Now that’s a book I can get behind!”
According to author Catherine Price, there’s a difference between “true fun” and mere distractions.
True fun occurs when three elements intersect: playfulness, connection, and flow. This is different from passive activities that seem compelling but don’t provide real fulfillment.
Price explains that many of us experience a “Fun Deficit.” We’ve lost touch with genuine fun, replacing it with obligations, screens, and activities that deplete our energy rather than replenish it. In the book, Catherine challenges readers to check how they spend their time and call out what brings them joy.
Here are four strategies Catherine and I recommend:
- Catherine Price: Conduct a personal “fun audit” to understand what’s sparking joy.
Dr. Cindy: I do this through journaling. Try rating your fun moments on a scale—zero equals no fun and ten means you’re feeling alive. I say this because even sevens, eights, and nines are worth celebrating. Plus, reflecting on fun is great for your brain—physically and mentally. The simple game of rating your fun is another way to stretch your focus on the good that’s happening in your life. - Catherine Price: Create space for spontaneity and play.
Dr. Cindy: I seek out playful moments in my daily life and enjoy brightening serious discussions with humor. My lighthearted banter helps patients relax. My interjections often spark their playful contributions and lead to engaging conversations filled with warmth and laughter. - Catherine Price: Reduce screen time and intentional distractions.
Dr. Cindy: I try to focus my screen time on positively connecting with others. Rather than setting a timer on your phone, which can be a nuisance, try using natural boundaries. For instance, check your social media during breaks between meetings or before an appointment. Use social media for meaningful connections rather than “surface interactions” that leave you feeling empty. Instead of simply liking a post, tell your friend or colleague why you like their post or find it funny—quality over quantity. - Catherine Price: Prioritize activities that create memorable, engaging experiences.
Dr. Cindy: Find fulfillment in what energizes you most, whether that’s career achievement or quality time with loved ones. If work makes you happy, embrace it without guilt. If relationships are your priority, schedule regular gatherings and activities that nurture those bonds. Again, don’t always aim for sweeping changes. Try working on these strategies incrementally.
Take a moment right now and ask yourself: When was the last time you truly had fun? Not just content, not just okay, but genuinely, radiantly alive? That’s the promise of intentional fun—it transforms the ordinary into the extraordinary.
The fun I’m challenging you to pursue isn’t about grand gestures or expensive vacations. It’s about the small, unexpected sparks of joy: a spontaneous dance in your kitchen, a laugh that bubbles up unexpectedly, a conversation that makes time disappear. Fun is your right, your pushback against the monotony that can dull our spirits.
Make fun a nonnegotiable part of your day. Be intentional about it. Look for it. Create it. Protect it.
Joy is not frivolous—it’s fuel. And in a world that often demands that we take everything seriously, choosing fun is an act of self-love.
Are you ready to reclaim your fun? If you are still hedging after Catherine’s recommendation, take the advice of this author who found happiness at the bottom of a chemo bag.
Be positively altered,
Dr. Cindy M. Howard
P.S. If you or your colleague works in an environment where you could benefit from some of the workplace wellness topics that I cover in my blog or podcast, let me know! I’d love to share my insights in person on stage!
Can’t wait that long? Check out my book, Positively Altered: Finding Happiness at the Bottom of Chemo Bag.
One more thing! Don’t forget to check out my latest podcast with Wendy Branchfield: Healing From Within – The Transformative Power of Emotional Freedom Technique.
