What are your fun magnets?

Friends:

As readers of this newsletter know, a lot of my recent posts have about kids and phones. But today, I don’t want to talk about parenting. I want to talk about you.

Or, more specifically, I want to talk about us: the adult readers of this newsletter.

This fall, what are you doing—or what could you do—for you?

Not for your employer. Not for your partner. Not for your kids. For you.

This question is top of mind for me because I recently returned from an annual tradition that I most definitely do just for me: dance camp. Every year, right around Labor Day, I spend four days at a camp where the majority of my waking hours are spent dancing to swing music from the 1930s and 40s. (And swimming in a lake. But mostly dancing.)

I’m not sure how I look when I dance (and am not sure I would want to know!) — but here’s a still photo of how it makes me feel:

In other words, this type of dancing regularly gives me the feeling I refer to in my book, The Power of Fun, as true fun, that magical, joyful confluence of playfulness, connection and flow.

Granted, not every dance produces the euphoric feeling of true fun. Some dances are simply tolerable, or even uncomfortably awkward. But when things click, when I get out of my head, into my body, and feel fully connected to my partner and the music? Few things make me happier. And the energized, refreshed feeling I get from dance camp stays with me for days, even weeks, after I get home.

For some people, the idea of dancing with sweaty strangers to music from their grandparents’ (or great grandparents’) youth might not sound fun at all. Fair enough.

But I want to encourage you, as summer fades into fall, to think about what does sound fun to you—and then make time for it.

One way to start generating ideas is to think about the activities, settings, and people that you know light you up. In other words, what are your “fun magnets”? And how can you incorporate them more regularly into your daily life?

If you’re not sure what your fun magnets are, don’t worry: a lot of adults feel the same way. Just ask yourself these questions:

• What are some things you used to enjoy before responsibilities and adulting got in the way?

• Who’s someone whose company you enjoy, whom you’d like to spend more time with?

• What settings do you associate with fun?

• What are a few things you’re curious about and that you might want to do or try? (You’ll never know if something is a fun magnet if you don’t try it!) For example, maybe there’s a class you’re interested in signing up for, or a restaurant or museum or hike or neighborhood you’d like to check out.

• Once you’ve jotted down your answers, ask yourself: What’s one thing you could do or try this week/weekend that involves one of your fun magnets or new ideas? Then make a plan to do it — and maybe even invite someone to join you.

Don’t worry if whatever you end up doing doesn’t lead to euphoria—honestly, that’s pretty rare. But do pay attention to your energy levels, and notice how doing something enjoyable just for you makes you feel when you’re done.

If you’re a parent or caregiver, you may need to ask for support from a partner or friend (or even pay for someone to help you) so that you can do something just for you. (My husband watches our child while I’m at camp, and I’m deeply grateful to him for doing so.) This can feel challenging, or like an imposition, but I assure you that it is worth it (and that you deserve it). And if you’re in a relationship, I encourage you to support your partner in their pursuit of fun, too.

I know that thinking about your own fun—let alone prioritizing it—might sound impossible, even irresponsible, given all that is going on in the world right now. But I also believe that it’s essential. Our stress levels directly impact our physical health—and if you don’t make a point to fill your own tank, you won’t be able to help anyone else. Perhaps most importantly? Having fun will make you feel more alive—and you deserve to enjoy your life.

To scrolling less, living more, and finding your fun magnets—

Catherine Price

Share

Leave a comment

Want to go deeper? I’ve included a printable “Fun Finder” worksheet below for my Life Lab members — my paid Substack tier, where I offer practical resources and evidence-based strategies that you can try for yourself.