I am finally getting a chance to actually write this, about a journey of learning that I began a couple of months ago. I went on a quest to find fun!
How often do you, especially as an adult, stop and think about the last time you did something for the sole reason to relax, have leisure time, or just do something for fun?
What did you do?
I thought about my hobbies and whether or not I could truly claim them as fun or more just something to fill my time. The more I thought about it, in my season of life, I realized that I came up empty. What I once found fun, was no longer true in my current place and season of life. That is okay, but it caused me to research and find something that I could do for the sole reason of having fun.
The quest
The first step was taking some time for introspection. Looking at what worked in the past and what did not. What brought me joy and what was something that was now a chore or work, rather than enjoyment? What did I have to eliminate from the mix?
1. Sports and exercise: what once were fun, were now things that I just did to keep fit or to escape craziness, not something I would declare “fun”.
2. Teaching: Though I still would say that I have fun teaching, I would not say that it can be in the category of a leisure activity, because it is work. It is how I support myself.
3. Shopping: I have never really enjoyed this activity, but I have tried it, when necessary and I would say that it is not fun. I enjoy the taking new things home part, but not the experience itself.
4. Exploring outdoors: This would be probably at the top of my list in the “fun” category back in the United States, but here in Southeast Asia, it is always hot, or it is rainy season. These things and a motorcycle for transportation, with no shelter from the weather, is not the most fun experience.
5. Reading and writing: I enjoy these things, but would they be what I choose to bring me joy in moments of leisure? I don’t know anymore.
After taking a look at what no longer fit the bill, I was able to open up to finding something new. I went in search of things that brought me joy and were “fun”. What did I try? Well, let’s see…
- I tried a new sport, learning from a co-worker. It was short lived, due to the limited ability of accommodations and time needed to learn.
- I tried traveling, mainly locally, to new places. Searching for new coffee shops, picturesque scenery, etc. I would return exhausted and spending a good amount of money on this search.
- I tried baking and cooking. This is definitely a great thing to do when stuck inside, but let me tell you, when you don’t have your Kitchenaid mixer, a small toaster oven, and baking ingredients cost quadruple the amount that they do in the States, well, it adds up to not a very fun experience. Though, the results have been quite tasty.
- I have even tried gardening. Yep, apparently here, this is a widespread hobby that can actually turn a huge profit, if you know what you are doing. Though I do not do it for anything, but the fresh ingredients and fun colors, I would say that I have enjoyed it, but it becomes a quick chore, when things multiply seemingly overnight due to the weather here.
So what is left? Where’s the fun?
I was searching for a hobby or something that could be done frequently, whenever I needed a break or leisure time. However, I had no luck with all those things that I tried. Oh well, right? In the midst of the search for something I thought would fit me, I actually found “fun”, but not in the way I expected.
When I searched for fun in sports and exercise, I learned that laughing at myself while missing the ball or target, or the goal of the game, I had fun.
When I searched for fun in exploring outdoors, I had fun getting soaking wet because of an unexpected downpour, and not experiencing that alone.
When I searched for fun in traveling, I had fun in the moments of finding new treasured places, including a bakery with the most amazing croissants I have ever had.
When I searched for fun in baking and cooking…well let’s just say the evidence of fun has already been devoured.
When I searched for fun in gardening, I get such joy out of seeing new little sprouts!
When I searched for fun in staying inside and trying more introverted hobbies, I found it fun to dance around my house to the music in tv shows I was watching, or talking about our book in book club.
What I found was not the destination or the desired result, but rather the journey and moments along the way. I want to challenge you to take a look at your life. When is the last time you had fun? The last time you did something just so you could laugh or relax? We seem to spend our lives working to find the result, to get something out of it. I searched for fun in that same mindset and came up empty because the result was not what I thought I had to get. Is it the same for you? Are you needing to go on a search of your own? You should, just don’t make the same mistake I did. So, go, out, find your fun!
