Don't Forget to Have Fun

Yes, I am talking to you!

Taking a break to play with a baby chick before diving into one of my least favorite activities- reconciling my QuickBooks!

Somewhere along the way, many of us forgot that life is supposed to be enjoyed.

We become so serious.

There is the job that never quite feels finished, the endless emails, the family to care for, the dishes in the sink, the bills to pay, the house that always seems to need something. Before we know it, life starts to feel heavy, as if we are carrying it on our shoulders rather than living it, and the interesting thing is that much of that heaviness isn’t coming from the task itself. It’s coming from the energy we bring to the task.

Our experience of life is created by the lens through which we see it. When we are below the line, even simple tasks can feel burdensome. We dread them, then complain about them while doing them, and that is certainly no fun. Other times, we might totally avoid them, which is also below the line. Then, when we finally have to deal with them, we confirm our own prediction that they are miserable.

Sound familiar?

For me, the F-bombs start falling when I avoid my QuickBooks, for example. Do I love bookkeeping? Not exactly. In fact, I have been known to mysteriously skip over that item on my to-do list again and again for some years until December! I avoid it because it doesn’t feel fun. Then, eventually, it becomes urgent. Now it’s a fire drill. My stress level goes up, my attitude goes south, and suddenly I’ve created an experience I don’t enjoy at all. The cycle continues until I catch myself and become aware that I am creating this tug-of-war inside. This awareness is the key, the superpower we all have. The task of doing my QB is neutral- it’s me who is making it miserable. And I actually like numbers, especially when they are in my favor and reflect a successful business. It’s a little crazy town, honestly!

When I notice I’m approaching something with dread, I pause and ask myself: What if I chose a different experience? This may sound a little silly at first, but it works.

Instead of approaching the task as something I have to do, I imagine it as a challenge, a puzzle, or even a game. I consciously create a sense of curiosity and excitement before I begin. Sometimes I put on music and do a little dance. I make it fun. Other times, I set a timer and see how quickly I can complete it, and let the competitive side of me play.

The truth is, we create much of our experience through our perception. The task is neutral. It is our thoughts, our attitude, and the energy we bring that determine whether it feels heavy or light. This is one of the reasons fun is such a powerful energy.

Fun lives above the line!

When we are having fun, we are often operating from curiosity, creativity, playfulness, appreciation, and possibility. Our minds open. We become more engaged. We feel more energized. We are present. Think about children for a moment. They can turn almost anything into a game. A cardboard box becomes a spaceship. A stick becomes a sword. A puddle becomes an adventure.

Somewhere along the way, we adults decide life has to be serious. But what if we brought a little more playfulness to the things we already have to do? What if we stopped waiting for fun to arrive and started creating it ourselves?

Because here’s what I’ve learned: when we don’t have enough enjoyment in our lives, our bodies pay the price. Chronic stress, frustration, resentment, and pressure take a toll. We were never designed to live in a constant state of strain.

Joy isn’t a luxury or frivolous. It’s human nature — our fuel.

So the next time you find yourself dreading a task, notice the story you’re telling yourself.

Then ask:

How could I make this more fun?

I would love to hear your examples. I will respond back to everyone who shares a “turn around” story!

You might be surprised at what happens.

With heart,