Things I Think Are Fun

I'll just get right to it.

The Happiness Project, The Happiness Project, The Happiness Project. Read it. I IMPLORE you.

She dedicates a month of her year to fun and leisure. Her number one commandment is to "Be Gretchen." And part of that entails knowing what she finds fun and what she doesn't find fun. She even talks in a really beautiful way about the sadness she felt thinking about her own happiness and the limits she has, because she knows there are certain things that she simply doesn't find fun. I can't properly capture it and my copy is in my bag which is not within grabbing distance...and I already shut the light off so you'll just have to read it.

This book has inspired me to do a lot of listing. That is something I find fun. And it helps me think critically!

I have done random, shallow lists mostly on the subway and it just puts things in perspective. Things such as items I want to save up to buy (paint for my room, chukkas, new towels, etc.), traits I would value in an ideal mate (someone who will meet me at the subway station just to walk home with me), potential things I want to do for my birthday (it usually blows, last year I catered a wedding. This year I am going to engage myself, even if the day is spent alone!), and the topic of this post...things that I find fun.

Things I Find Fun
- watching television
- sudoku
-cooking/baking (ideally for/with others)
-grocery shopping (when I have the money)
-libraries (I possess cards to any major system of any city I have lived in for more than six months)
-bookstores (when I die just bury me at Strand)
-drinking hot tea (makes me think of London and the ritual of putting  the kettle on, and a nice cup of camomile can solve a lot of things)
-pinterest/stumbleupon
-going for a walk
-trying a new restaurant or bar.
-yoga
-making lists (obviously)
-laying on a blanket in the sun in a park
-seeings shows
-going to the movies
-listening to my music
-shopping for clothes
-cast albums in general
- taking a nice hot bath
-lighting a candle in my room
-playing board games/cards

I made a list of things I don't find fun, but it is smaller and it was harder to think of things I don't find fun...which is good, I guess, because that means they aren't prevalent in my life. And by things I don't think are fun I mean that other people do find fun.  Going to the dentist doesn't count, because who actually would find that fun? Some examples...

-working out (the idea of a gym membership or having a six pack or beefy muscles does not remotely appeal to me)
-going to museums (If Doug were to read this he would shake his head. I just do not take pleasure in them. I know that I should. I just know myself.)
-clubbing (never would I ever...except that one night in London for Marie's birthday...)
-loud concerts (unless it were Reba McIntire or Sara Bareilles I probably wouldn't bother.)

I encourage anyone to take the time to write out an actual list of things that they find fun. And see how prevalent those things are in your life. If they aren't...then do something about it. I am.