Forgotten Secret to Life: Fun
However much your child is delightful, it is so easy for the parents to forget to have fun with life. I came across this TED talk video about fun. Catherine Price has amazed me with her explanation. I had to share it with you. Here are some of the key points and reflections I got from the video:
TED Talk: Why Having Fun is the Secret to a Healthier Life by Catherine Price
Fun-Missing Life
When you are with your baby, you have no time to spare. Your day is filled with chores, feedings, and diaper changes. You are so caught up and busy. You miss out on the poker night, golf tournament, and the newly released Counter Strike 2 with your crew. You start to lose connection with people. You start to worry about the finances, how to raise your child the right way, or getting extremely out of shape.
Try and look back. When was the last time you had fun? Think about the good ol' days when fun was around.
What is Fun?
In the TED talk, Catherine Price talks about the 3 consistent factors of "fun." They are playfulness, connection, and flow.
- Playfulness: It's not referring to something played. She defines it as a lightheartedness attitude, letting go of perfectionism, and being relaxed.
- Connection: Fun happens when you are connecting with someone in whatever way.
- Flow: It is the state of engagement. You get so into having fun that you lose track of time. You are in the zone.
When these 3 factors occur all at once, we have fun. "It's a feeling, not an activity," she stresses. And when it happens, we feel good.
What Can It Do For Us?
Having fun energizes, makes us present, unites us, and makes us healthier.
Taking care of your child is draining. You just want to be on your phone scrolling mindlessly for hours. You feel like you are separated from the world.
If you are having fun with your precious one, it energizes you. You enjoy it so much that you even want to record yourself to watch it over and over to get that energy. Having fun with your child is the greatest way to bond and build a strong relationship. It makes both the parent and child healthier.
How Do We Have Fun?
The TED speaker suggests starting with eye contact. Ask "What's one thing that delighted you today?" Find opportunities to rebel and prioritize having fun.
Of course, talking with your child is absolutely necessary. Don't stop there. Talk to your partner, family, and other friends too. Connect with them over the phone, meet, or go out. You need to keep in mind, it takes mental effort to have fun and not worry too much.
Conclusion
Having fun enriches your life. Our late teenage and early 20s years were all about having fun. The early days of marriage were about having fun. Why did we stop having fun?
We don't need a luxurious trip to Europe, fancy dining, or the dream car to have fun. Yes, they will be fun. But they are not necessary. You can find fun in your daily life. You just have to search for it.
Make a mental note. Take it lightheartedly. Add some playfulness. Especially when you are playing with your child. Have fun with them. They will learn from you to enjoy and have fun with their lives. Sometimes, you can learn from them too.
Let's go get some fun!