Unfortunately, for many people life has turned into a boring routine with seemingly no possibility to escape due to financial commitments, debts, being unwell, wellness of mental health etc. etc.
They get up early, go to work, do something all day long they aren’t really interested in, they come home late, have dinner and watch a bit TV before going to bed.
And the next day it starts all over. The weekend passes in no time and is mostly spent in a state of “I don’t really know what to do with my time…” And, this goes on for weeks, months and even years.
But, that’s not the way you were supposed to live your life. You were meant to live a life that’s filled with joy, passion, fun, excitement and laughter.
If your life starts becoming stale and boring, it’s time to do something about it. But, don’t worry, it’s not as complicated or difficult as you may think. If we were to heed the message of lifestyle or outdoor magazines, we would be convinced we can’t have fun until we have the perfectly curated list of items loaded up in the back of our all-terrain vehicles. But the last thing we need is one more obstacle to enjoying ourselves.
As you will see in a moment, it’s actually relatively easy – even if you don’t have much time, even if you don’t have much money and even if you are tired and exhausted after work and on your weekends.
By bringing the fun and passion back into your life, you will have more energy, you will start attracting different people into your life, this may lead to a better and more interesting job, this could help you to find your dream partner, this will improve your relationship with friends and family, this could lead to an exciting business idea… and to many other great things.
1. Forget about the stuff (I am a great believer of the benefits of minimalism – see Maholochi Minimalism on Facebook).
Some outdoor activities require a limited amount of gear to. But you never need as many recreational items as you might believe. Minimise the amount of stuff you need, and you are much more likely to go for it. Keep your “fun stash” handy, or even leave it in the back of the car so you can use it on short notice.
Less stuff = more spontaneity.
2. Focus on what you need.
With so many options for recreation, the task of deciding alone can be daunting. Do you hop a plane and spend a few days in a fancy hotel, or throw some camping gear in the car and hit the road to the local park? In this case, it is helpful to focus on what you need right now.
Have you been busy and need some quiet and restful fun? Do you need a little pampering? Or are you feeling restless, like taking on a challenge and doing something a little crazy? Take your fun temperature and plan accordingly.
3. Make time.
This may be the most important aspect — fun and recreation isn’t just going to automatically happen when you finish doing everything else. If you want it, you have to make time for it. Grab your calendar and mark it down or stick it in your phones diary – whichever works for you.
Secure the time, and make it sacred. Make sure nothing can throw off your plans. Once it’s set in stone, whether it’s a Friday afternoon swim or a weekend trip in six months from now, you will experience joy just looking forward to it.
4. Set realistic expectations.
Just because you are making time for fun, doesn’t mean you won’t run into any snags along the way. Traffic, illness, delays, relationship tension or miscommunications can quickly change the experience. Just because things don’t go perfectly isn’t a reason to feel that all of it was pointless.
Expect a few bumps along the way, and take them in stride. Making time for fun shouldn’t be an escape from real life, but a way to make space for the things that matter to you.
5. Be purposeful, be present.
Once the fun has begun, be all there. Shut off your phone, close your laptop and engage in the moment — whatever it takes to actually be where you are. It can be so easy to tune out, scan social media, and take away the moment you are actually present in.
Don’t let comparison steal the joy you are having in your moment of fun. Be all there, take a deep breath, love the ones your with, and practice gratitude for the time and space you have made for this experience. You don’t have to post all of your life on social media, we all have an amazing computer inside our head – our brain – and it remembers more than a photo or status update, it remembers the sounds, the tastes, the atmosphere and the warmth of joy felt from good moments.
Allowing ourselves time to have fun is IMPORTANT. Its necessary for all of our own wellness and state of mind. Make time for you. Make time for allowing yourself to just relax. Blitz those chores and things you need to get out of the way. Minimalise your stuff – less stuff equals less control over you.
We all just have one life.
Bailey, January 2016
Maholochi.com 