10 Fun Habits To Enjoy a Happier Life
Having fun is the perfect way to balance the unpleasantness of the daily grind.
Having fun makes life happier and more joyful – and it only takes the addition of a couple of habits and activities here and there to invite more of it in your daily life. So whenever life begins to feel like a chore, I know it’s time to bring some fun back to my routine.
To do this, I always start by asking myself the same question:
“How could I make my inner girl more happy?”
Then I go from there.
The habits I’m sharing here with you are those that have belonged in my metaphorical fun and happy kit for a long time and never failed me. These are not daily habits though – they’re activities I turn to whenever I need to add more fun and happiness in my life.
10 fun habits to enjoy a happier life:
1. Start the day with music
I wake up, stumble out of bed, and put on my favorite feel-good music loud in my kitchen and dance while I’m making breakfast. I love it. It’s a perfect and simple way to start the day feeling light and high-spirited.
2. Take pictures of pretty things
When I was a child, my family had this thing called ‘picture walks’, which is exactly what the name says. You go for a walk. And you take pictures.
The objective is always the same: find at least 10 pretty or lovely or interesting things to take pictures of during your walk.
It’s a simple activity usually done with kids, but I’ve discovered it’s nice to do it alone as well. Because when you do this, you actually take the time to notice all the beauty that surrounds us constantly, and that we often walk past without paying attention because we’re too busy rushing to places.
3. Read children’s books
I love reading children’s books. Well, I love reading in general, but there’s just something really precious about middle grade books that hits differently, and that I struggle to find anywhere else — a heartwarming sense of magical and whimsical vibes that feels like a hug for the soul.
4. Jumping rope
I’ve never understood why jumping rope is not more popular workout out there, and it’s a shame.
I’ve never managed to find any other workout more fun and energetic than jumping rope.
It’s easy. It’s great for the body, it’s great for the mind, and, most importantly, it’s great for the inner girl inside me that used to jump rope everyday at school, and still love it to this day.
5. Inventing your own recipes
Cooking and baking is nice, but there’s something more fun and interesting in trying to come up with your own recipes. With the added bonus of being an activity that can be enjoyed solo, or with friends and family.
6. Drawing and Painting
Am I good at it? Not particularly, no. Does it matter? Not at all. Do I still do it? Absolutely.
Once I’ve learned that I don’t have to be good at something, and can instead allow myself to have fun and enjoy activities, I’ve started enjoying life so much more.
Letting go of this inexorable need for perfection is more liberating than anything else. And when you no longer spend all your time obsessing over being perfect, you can start to enjoy life as it is. And art (any artistic activity, really, not just drawing and painting) is a great place to practice this. Just the enjoyment of a moment. Of doing something just because it’s fun, not because it has to be good or perfect.
7. Bath bombs
There’s not much I love more in life than a bright, colorful bath with heavenly scents. I love this during the cold seasons, particularly at the end of a particularly taxing day (or after a long hike).
8. Quests and Adventures
You’ve heard about romanticizing your life? Good. Now get ready for game-playing your life (yes, this is a ridiculous name I came up with years ago, and I like it, so it’s okay.)
When adulting and adult stuff gets boring (and it always does), I simply change my mindset. Boring stuff is no longer boring stuff. Now boring stuff is quests and adventures I have to fulfill before a time limit.
This works like magic for me. It makes everything more fun to do, so now I’m motivated to do them.
And if I fulfill all my quests and adventures, I even get myself a nice reward afterward.
9. Going on swings at night to stargaze
This started when I was a teen – my mom and I have always loved going for summer night walks, and one night we went on swings in a park to gaze up at stars. And we’ve never stopped going.
Over the years, it has become a habit that we have extended to other family members and friends. And everyone loves it. (Never let anyone tell you you’re too old for swings – life is hard enough as it is, you don’t need this negativity in your life.)
10. Compliment and smile at people
Being nice is its own magic, right?
It makes all parties involved feel better – and what better thing is there in life than knowing a simple smile or a simple word kindly given might’ve improved another person’s day, and your own.
That’s it.
Here are my 10 favorite habbits to bring more fun and joy into my daily life. I’m curious to hear about yours. What are the little things you love to do that bring you joy? Don’t hesitate to share in the comments.
Have a nice day, and take care of yourself.