Do you feel, like so many of us, that having fun doesn’t come as easily anymore? Even when we feel like we’re enjoying ourselves, there’s a cloud hanging over us, dampening it. It’s just not that thrilling. What has changed?
7 Things That Might Be Making It More Difficult to Have Fun
One thing is concerning…
1 SAFETY
This is a big one now. Fun often needs a sense of ease, a feeling that it’s alright to let your guard down, to relax and be yourself.
Not only are there job insecurities, healthcare insecurities, financial insecurities, and weather-related insecurities, but it seems that every move we make is being monitored. It’s like we are constantly self-censoring ourselves as we tiptoe through a minefield.
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Another thing that might make it more difficult to have fun is concerning…
2 MONEY
Fun often takes a feeling of being liberated from constraints. More of us are having to weigh everything against our budget and juggle priorities. When we do make a purchase, it can easily turn into worrying if we made a mistake, or feeling guilty about it.
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Another thing that might make it more difficult to have fun is concerning…
3 OTHERS
The first point is that fun usually needs all of the participants in a fairly good state of mind. It’s hard to enjoy ourselves, especially for those of us who are empathic or sensitive, when we’re around stressed-out people.
The second point is that it has become easier to find ourselves in uncomfortable situations with others—whether it’s avoiding certain topics, getting into heated debates, facing misunderstandings, or witnessing someone lose their temper.
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Another thing that might make it more difficult to have fun is concerning…
4 OUR MENTAL TRIGGERS
It’s one thing to try to enjoy ourselves around uncomfortable situations, but when our own emotions come to the surface, it makes it even more difficult. We could find ourselves lashing out, furious, miserable, sad, withdrawing, defensive, restless, or controlling.
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Another thing that might make it more difficult to have fun is concerning…
5 REPETITION
Sometimes fun needs to come from novelty or the thrill of the surprise. We live in a world where it seems like more things have been done before, remade again, or repurposed, which has caused our senses to grow dull. Look at the entertainment industry. Even TikTok or Facebook has a pattern that often repeats itself with different characters. It keeps us hooked, but it’s not always enjoyable. The result is overstimulation without much satisfaction.
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Another thing that might make it more difficult to have fun is concerning…
6 BEING RUSHED
Fun often requires us to go at our own pace and be in the present moment. When we’re rushing, usually it’s like we are in a race, paying little attention along the way. We’re not engaged—our mind is focused on the finish line, not on whether we are enjoying the journey.
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Another thing that might make it more difficult to have fun is concerning…
7 TRYING TO MANUFACTURE IT
Maybe we think we can take control and produce fun with the perfect activity, the perfect place, the perfect weather, and the perfect people surrounding us. Then we record it, trying to freeze the moment in a frame, as if we’re convincing ourselves that we’re having fun and need to prove it happened.”
Almost always, the more we try to capture moments, the less we actually experience them.
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So, What is Fun?
Most of us define fun as something enjoyable or a pleasant experience.
But wonder if it was more.
Wonder if we defined fun as something we feel that is effortless. That emerges out of nothing when we feel liberated from constraints and fully engaged, even for a split second.
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I have two QUIZZES that may help you…
Is the Changing World Stressing You Out?
How Often Do You Listen to Your Intuition?
Also, check out the Inner Work and Intuition sections on my website.