The Power of Fun: Why fun is the key to a happy and healthy life

by Catherine Price

I’m interested in learning about … • I’m curious about … • I’d like to try … • I’d like to get better at … • It might sound silly, but I’d love to … • When I was a child I enjoyed … • Things I used to do with my free time but don’t anymore: … • Things I always say I want to do or learn, but supposedly don’t have time for: … • I feel alive when I … I recommend that you set a timer for fifteen minutes and write down everything that comes to mind. Keep going until the timer stops; sometimes your most interesting ideas will come after you’ve exhausted your initial burst. Again, do not self-censor as you do this or set the bar too high. Nothing is too niche or too silly, and anything that sparks even mild interest or curiosity is good enough to write down. Also, don’t assume that you actually have to do all the things you come up with. We’re not trying to overwhelm ourselves with new commitments; we’re just trying to open our minds and break out of our normal patterns of thought.