Such an important realisation that it’s not just about implementing fun, it’s about giving it priority over the have tos and shoulds. Not only because fun is such a significant part of a life worth living, but also because it actually fuels you to then be able to do the chores. Still, I’d say the latter is only a nice bonus, and not as vital as the fact that chores are there to enable fun and meaning, not the other way around.
I’m recovering from burnout and long Covid and since I’ve been gaining energy, my hunger for fun has increased too. Sometimes, however, I find myself suddenly having a bit of time and energy, but not knowing what to do with it. Feeling like I should either do something useful or something insanely fun or meaningful. By this time I’ve usually already spent all of my willpower for the day leading to decision fatigue, lack of motivation, self-judgement and what not, in a moment like this. I’m realising now that I need to take the pressure off and allow myself to waste time, to choose something suboptimal, etc. So what if it’s neither useful nor amazing. Then maybe some of those moments a bit of fun actually will arise ✨
This is so true! I'm similar in the way that when I actually do have energy I felt like I had to do lots with it, which often lead to the whole boom and bust cycle and doing too much and going back to fatigue again argh, it's a hard balance to get. I also habe to learn to take the pressure off and just enjoy something for that sake of it. It's hard though isn't it. Guilt always pops up for me. For instance today I had some energy to be creative. I fancied doing some drawing and doodling with colouring pens. My inner perfectionist came out and said why bother, you're no good at drawing. But I did it anyway. The drawings were crap 😆 but it was so much fun and that's what counts ☺️ X
Hi Amanda, I really enjoyed reading this post 🧡
Such an important realisation that it’s not just about implementing fun, it’s about giving it priority over the have tos and shoulds. Not only because fun is such a significant part of a life worth living, but also because it actually fuels you to then be able to do the chores. Still, I’d say the latter is only a nice bonus, and not as vital as the fact that chores are there to enable fun and meaning, not the other way around.
I’m recovering from burnout and long Covid and since I’ve been gaining energy, my hunger for fun has increased too. Sometimes, however, I find myself suddenly having a bit of time and energy, but not knowing what to do with it. Feeling like I should either do something useful or something insanely fun or meaningful. By this time I’ve usually already spent all of my willpower for the day leading to decision fatigue, lack of motivation, self-judgement and what not, in a moment like this. I’m realising now that I need to take the pressure off and allow myself to waste time, to choose something suboptimal, etc. So what if it’s neither useful nor amazing. Then maybe some of those moments a bit of fun actually will arise ✨
This is so true! I'm similar in the way that when I actually do have energy I felt like I had to do lots with it, which often lead to the whole boom and bust cycle and doing too much and going back to fatigue again argh, it's a hard balance to get. I also habe to learn to take the pressure off and just enjoy something for that sake of it. It's hard though isn't it. Guilt always pops up for me. For instance today I had some energy to be creative. I fancied doing some drawing and doodling with colouring pens. My inner perfectionist came out and said why bother, you're no good at drawing. But I did it anyway. The drawings were crap 😆 but it was so much fun and that's what counts ☺️ X