So... What Do You Do For Fun?
In the past, when someone asked me what I do for fun, it really irritated me. Not only did I not have an answer, I didn’t even understand what “fun” really meant. Did I even know how to have fun? Did I allow myself to? The answer until recent years was "no," and "no."
According to the dictionary, fun is "providing amusement, entertainment, or enjoyment—something that is pleasant." Simple enough, right? Yet, I found myself disliking the question because I couldn't give an answer that resonated and felt true for me. The closest I got to answering this fell into the spectrum of what I considered "relaxation" or "excitement", neither of which felt "fun" to me, only aspects of "fun."
I also wasn’t the person people would typically call “fun.” I was more serious, and if you had asked my friends, I probably wouldn’t have been their go-to for spontaneous good times. 😄
Why was I blocked when it came to fun?
Growing up in a humble immigrant family where my parents worked tirelessly, fun felt like a luxury we couldn’t afford. Fun, adventure, and even self-care seemed indulgent. I absorbed the belief that fun had to be earned—and even then, it could be seen as lazy or selfish.
Can you relate?
I became a perfectionist, always striving to prove my worth—excelling in school, sports, and being the best daughter I could be. I was very conscious of how hard my parents worked and I did my best not to be a burden to them. Responsibility was my focus, and fun? Well, it didn’t seem to fit in nor have true value in our lives.
Fast forward 40+ years...
Growing up in Canada, I had a lifelong desire to spend winters in a warm, sunny place where I could connect with nature daily and didn't have to wear an extra 15 kilos of clothes to stay warm. All of you people who live in cold countries - you know what I'm talking about.
In my 40's I finally made the move and got an apartment in the Dominican Republic a 2-minute walk from the ocean. It turned out to be one of the most life-changing decisions I’ve ever made.
In the warmth of the sun and the embrace of the ocean, I finally learned what it meant to play, to relax, and to allow myself to really, truly enjoy life day by day despite working full time. I watched locals embrace life without wasting precious energy on worries or old stories. They taught me that fun isn't frivolous – it's medicine for the soul. It was eye-opening.
The ocean taught me to let go.
When I began learning to surf, I would spend time simply sitting on my surfboard allowing the waves to gently rock me, like a mother rocks her baby. I giggled like a child, rocking on my board as I watched the sunrise on one side and a rainbow on the other (no joke!). It was sheer magic! Ohhh, what a feeling!
I also took flying trapeze lessons and found pure joy in soaring through the air, doing somersaults, and free-falling—completely surrendering to the unknown.
Play and fun took on a whole new meaning. It wasn’t frivolous; it was deeply healing. My inner child, who had been buried for so long, came alive, and she absolutely loved it!
Can you relate?
I started taking riding lessons, galloping through rivers, hills, and the jungle. I even went rappelling through canyons and diving into water from cliffs high above—loving every moment. I began walking barefoot everywhere and freed my mind from the rigid expectations I had placed on myself.
A prisoner of my own control.
I realized I had been keeping myself trapped in a mindset of control and responsibility. But nature—and the joyful spirit of the people in the Dominican Republic—taught me a different way of living. A richer, more vibrant, and more joyful life was waiting for me, once I learned to surrender and embrace the discomfort of uncertainty. Was life perfect? No, far from it, but it was certainly a lot more fun, and that brought a new value and richness to my life I could not have imagined earlier.
So, what does fun mean to me now?
✨ Here's what I discovered: Fun isn't just about entertainment or relaxation. It's that magical space where you:
- Surrender control
- Step slightly out of your comfort zone
- Let go of your mental chatter
- Allow yourself to simply BE
- Connect with your inner child
It's not an adrenaline rush – it's a Zen moment with giggles.
🤔 When was the last time you felt that kind of pure, childlike joy and delight?
What is your definition of fun? What sparks delight in you?
The beauty of fun is that it’s deeply personal—what lights you up may be completely different from what someone else enjoys. The important thing is that you allow yourself to play.
Now, when someone asks me what I do for fun, I'm excited to dive into the conversation.
Reflect on this:
- Do you give yourself permission to have enough fun? (You determine what is "enough.)
- What does that look like?
- How can you invite more fun into your life?
If you're like I was, trapped in the "responsibility first" mindset, here are 3 ways to start breaking free:
- Try something that scares you a little (my first surf lesson changed my life!)
- Get barefoot in nature (seriously - feel the earth beneath your feet)
- Do one spontaneous thing today (no planning allowed!)
Remember: Fun isn't something you earn. It's essential for your wellbeing, and it's always within reach.
What lights YOU up? Drop a 🌊 in the comments and share your version of fun and play!
