My favourite topic - joy and fun!

Can we talk about joy and fun for a minute? 

This is one of my favourite topics to discuss and one I think most of us have put on the backburner for too long. We’ve put it there because we tell ourselves we will allow ourselves joy and fun once we have gotten through today’s to-do list. Just out of curiosity, have you ever gotten to the end of your to-do list? Mine is ongoing - no sooner do I complete my to-do list then there are suddenly more things to add. 

Somewhere along the line, if we’re not careful, life turns into a series of tasks to check off the list: Pay the bills, pick the kids up from school, finish Christmas shopping, respond to that email, do the laundry, pick up lunch, schedule the electrician, go to the dentist, take the car in for repairs, get a haircut, walk the dog, go to the gym, schedule that playdate, fix the sink, organize photos, etc. And whether we’re talking about an actual written list or just a running list we keep in our heads, we all have one going.

Now don’t get me wrong - I appreciate the value of a good to-do list in keeping organized and ensuring those things get done. It’s very responsible and I’ve certainly felt that momentary satisfaction of crossing things off my list. And I know these are all things that have to get done.  But the problem is, there will always be more things to do. So where do we fit in time for joy and fun? 

I was out with a dear friend of mine recently, a beautiful soul who inspires me greatly, who earnestly asked “When do we get to start living? I think we should start.”

It was so beautiful in its simplicity and I knew exactly what she was referring to. We get on this life path of school, marriage, kids, career where we’re always thinking about what’s next and where we’re trying to get to that we lose sight of the fact that this is it, this is our life. There’s no dress rehearsal (shout out Hip), no do-overs, this is life.   

And for those of us who have lived a life of achieving and striving and advancement, how do we start living for today? How do we break free of our life of to-dos?

I started by giving myself permission to follow my joy and have fun. Did you know that was possible? Did you know that you don’t need to wait for anyone else to give you permission? That this is your life and you get to make the rules (or lack thereof) How exciting! Imagine the possibilities. 

And the reason I think it is so vitally important for all of us to be living a life of joy and fun is because at the heart of it, we are just getting back to living our authentic lives. Authenticity is found by following the things in life that bring us joy and fun. And that looks entirely different for everyone - while I enjoy rock climbing and running and Hallmark Christmas movies and bookstores and meditation and writing and pink roses and wellbeing - that’s not going to be everyone’s cup of tea (oh and I love tea too!). And what’s beautiful about living through joy and fun is that they are guiding you to live your most authentic life and there’s nothing better you could do for this world than be yourself in it. You (real you, authentic you) are exactly what this world needs.

And I hear you thinking “but what about all that stuff that needs to get done? I still have to pay the bills and go to the dentist”. Yes you do! But you can find joy and fun in the things you’re already doing too. 

So there are 2 things that I am asking you to consider: 

  1. Find the joy and fun in your to-do list. When you’re doing the school run, why not blast your favourite 90s music and sing at the top of your lungs along the way (or is that just me?:-)) Long commute to work in the morning? Listen to your favourite podcast or read that book you’ve always wanted to but haven’t had time for. Doing all the baking for Christmas this year? Try a new recipe - switch it up! There is so much fun that comes from trying something new. Making plans for the weekend? Instead of planning the things you “should do”, plan something that is just for the pure enjoyment of it. 

  1. Prioritize your joy and follow your pleasure! When you get up in the morning, instead of immediately running through all the things you have to get done, give yourself permission to have fun. Think about what would bring you joy. And then do those things! Find a way to weave them into your day. Find a way to prioritize the things in life that feed your soul because that will serve you and everyone around you. Before you start on the to-do list, do something that brings you joy. Start each day with something fun! That could be meditation, going to the gym, reading, playing with your children, enjoying a hot cup of coffee in solitude, talking to a close friend of your way to work. When you start your day in this way, it whets your appetite for more joy and fun throughout your day. 

I think we are here to enjoy life. It’s really that simple. And we discover how to enjoy our lives by following those desires in our heart - listening to those curiosities we have. Following our bliss. So try it with me, won’t you? 
    



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