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Posted on by Debbie

What’s the point of a world without fun? #lifethisweek

Phew!

I was getting worried for a minute there.

I have been hearing a bit about ‘fun’ this week and the podcast I was listening to, while on a fun walk in the forest, got me a tad annoyed. Now I usually enjoy this particular podcast, but the discussion on ‘fun’ got me going.

Blogging fun
Blogging fun

They said, and I shudder with horror as I write this, that they dislike the word fun and some of the hosts couldn’t relate to fun at all!

Apparently this conversation was started following a podcast by a US couple, I’m not really aware of them but many would be if I mentioned their names, and the fact that one of the couple commented that her partner didn’t know how to do fun, at all. So one of the women liked to do fun things like practical jokes, and the other one didn’t get the ‘fun’ aspect of anything much. This has since sparked off a big conversation with lots of others joining in and now I’ve joined the throng too!

I mean….come on people!! Lighten up 🙂

I then started having conversations with those around me, about their interpretation of fun, what they did for fun and how they saw fun.

The Mathematician said it is anything he enjoys doing, even tasks and jobs, not even something for pure entertainment’s sake. He always makes his own fun, especially when he’s pottering around outside.

On my blog’s Facebook page I even took to asking people to comment on what fun means to them and I got some great answers, which is why I started with the word ‘phew’, as I was worried everyone around me was losing their sense of fun! Here’s a sample of responses:

  • listening to music, singing along while in the car
  • playing word games
  • colouring in
  • spending time with pets
  • watching a comedy show
  • travelling in the great outdoors and finding wonderful things along the way
  • grandchildren
  • walking football
  • creativity using mixed media just for the process, so there’s no pressure
  • splashing in the waves at the beach
  • by making sure others are having fun
  • telling and listening to stories around a campfire
  • Saturday night BBQ, a fire-pit and music
  • sliding down a slippery dip

One of the best comments was from Denyse who said she believes fun is an attitude and I totally agree with her!

Now, I know only too well that life isn’t always fun, but I also know the way to have fun and the importance of not taking things too seriously all the time. I can, and often do, laugh at myself!

Fun in Amsterdam
Fun in Amsterdam in 2018 – I think he’s trying to save me 🙂

What does FUN mean?

Fun is defined by the Oxford English Dictionary as “Light-hearted pleasure, enjoyment, or amusement; boisterous joviality or merrymaking; entertainment”. Although particularly associated with recreation and play, it may be encountered during working time. Source

To me, fun is something that makes me happy, it can be spontaneous, it gives me pleasure and it’s a part of my attitude to life. It might only last a minute but at least it’s there. It isn’t necessarily the same thing each time but it’s definitely something that makes me smile and take delight in the world around me. It’s a joyful feeling, however fleeting it might be.

Without some fun, how dark a place would it be?

So what do I do for fun?

Playing tea parties with my almost 3 year old granddaughter; giving piggybacks; going down a slippery dip; whooping with joy as I ride my bike; singing loudly and badly as I walk in the forest; scrunching leaves for the satisfying crunch they make; taking photos and sharing them; reading a book; hanging out in my sunroom in the back yard on crisp wintry days; belonging to groups like my 2 bookclubs; making others laugh; sitting quietly watching the sunset; playing with my grandchildren whenever I can; family time; being silly; looking for the bright side of life; writing and blogging are fun activities – the list goes on…..

Debbie looking happy on a fun bike ride
tea party fun
piggy back fun
fun on the slide with Emilia
fun on the orange slide
Selfie time

I know I am lucky to be in a position to take more time for fun these days. Many others aren’t so lucky – they have demanding jobs, young children to care for or financial/medical/health issues to contend with on a daily basis. True, it’s been a hard year or so lately for everyone with the pandemic, but in my opinion, that’s where balance comes in and fun is one of those things we all need in our lives.

I manage to have fun most days, I make time to observe the world around me, I have a quirky sense of humour, I see fun things and I delight in joyful moments. As an example this past week I met up with an old school friend I hadn’t seen in over 50 years! We had corresponded beforehand after she reached out to see if it was me, over facebook. While I was visiting Canberra recently we arranged to meet for lunch and it was a lot of fun catching up on each other’s lives!

  • school photo 1968
    school photo 1968
  • Anne 1968
    Anne 1968
  • Debbie 1968
    Debbie 1968
  • Anne and Debbie 2021
    Anne and Debbie 2021

How about you?

What does fun mean to you? Do you have anything to add? How do you do ‘fun’?

Feel free to click on Denyse’s link up and see what others have shared and maybe join in!

Thanks for your visit, I’d love to hear from you 🙂

To finish, here is my happy face, in the form of a selfie, as I am about to go down the slide.

my fun face about to go down the slide
my fun face as I’m about to go down the slide

Deb xx

This week’s prompt for Denyse’s #lifethisweek is Share Your Snaps, so I am sharing some fun snaps! Also linking up with Natalie’s Weekend Coffee Share because the wet wintry weekend here can do with some fun!

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Debbie - mother of a 40 year old

Deb is a young-at-heart & active 60+ blogger/retiree, after being made redundant from her 22-year career managing education programs in a men’s correctional centre (jail). She now spends her time reading, blogging, riding her ebike and travelling. Deb was awarded a Bravery Award from the Queen when she was 17 after a tragic accident – a definite life changing moment! She is married with 3 grown-up daughters & has 4 grandchildren. You can read more of Deb’s story here

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52 Replies to “What’s the point of a world without fun? #lifethisweek”

  2. I love the photos of you and your friend ..so cute, and great you still keep in touch. I’m happy to say I have lots of fun in my life, but hubby and I differ on what it means! He is very laid back and never gets excited. We do both agree on one thing though our precious grandchildren are so much fun.
    I play Bridge and Mahjong, go to Zumba classes and the most fun is my girls games monthly night, which is hubby’s worst nightmare.
    Travelling is what I really miss though

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    1. Catching up with my friend was such fun Alison, we had to get some photos to prove we hadn’t changed all that much! I can relate to your hubby not getting over excited, mine is a bit like that, but I make up for both of us :). Grandchildren are definitely loads of fun. Yes travelling is sorely missed and although it can be stressful, it’s the best fun!

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  4. Goodness! I can imagine the funk you were in after that podcast …
    I love the title of your post …. it would be a sad life, and world, if Fun were taken away.
    To me, anything I enjoy is Fun. Hopefully, whether we are at work, at play, with friends & family, with those around us, we will enjoy what we are doing and who we are with.

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      1. When Life happens, it easy to lose sight of fun. I’ve been there often enough to attest to this. Fun, as with most things associated with an intentional life, is a choice; one we make daily, I think.

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  5. Debbie, So wonderful to hear you met up with your former classmate. I’m on the same page with you when it comes to having fun. I’m also fortunate to be in a position to take more time for fun these days. My list of fun and what brings me joy is long e.g cycling, walking outdoors, paddling, playing disc golf, reading, writing, taking photos, learning new things, exploring, etc. Thank you for linking up with #weekendcoffeeshare.

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    1. Thanks for your comment Natalie, meeting up with my friend after so long might sound awkward to some people but it really wasn’t! I know I’m fortunate to be able to enjoy fun activities more now that I’m retired, whereas my daughters are so busy with their little ones they look at me as if I’m mad when I ask what they do for fun!

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  6. Hello Deb! I love your husband’s definition of fun and that he can have fun even while doing “chores.” Fun to me is anything that makes me smile, but especially if it’s lighthearted and simply for the joy of it. Time with the grandchildren is always fun. Floating in the pool is definitely fun. Spotting shapes in the clouds, blowing bubbles, watching funny movies or standup comedians, going out to dinner with my sisters or coffee/lunch dates with my daughters…the list goes on. Thanks for prompting this line of thought. It has me smiling this morning.

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    1. Hi Christie, I agree wholeheartedly with your idea of fun, lighthearted is a great word. Spotting shapes in the clouds is awesome fun! So glad to give you a smile 🙂

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  7. Fun = grandchildren. Fun = friends. Fun rarely equaled work although now semi retired and working in a way laid back place it’s definition more enjoyable but probably not fun. It’s easier at some stages and times of our lives to have fun. It’s a good reminder though that fun is important so thanks!

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    1. Yes while working it didn’t always seem like fun but now I can relax a bit and see how things may have been better than I thought. Being retired is way more fun!! Thanks for joining me in thinking about fun.

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  8. I smiled all the way reading that post…once I had gone past your introduction. Thanks for the shout out. I reckon though, that fun where so-called pranks etc is for someone else and not in keeping with our idea of fun is not on.

    You embody fun!!

    Go girl, as they say..and the day I got on a swing at the local park solo and let out ‘whee’ meant I get that fun in the simplest of activities…

    Thank you for linking up for #LifeThisWeek. Next week, we reach the midway point of the link up with Optional Prompt: 26/51 Optimism. Mr W is back with this one! It’s always great to see your post and comments, I appreciate that very much. Denyse.

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    1. Oh that’s lovely of you to say Denyse, I like to think I’m a fun person some of the time. Being on a swing is always fun to me and slippery dips and simple fun activities as you mention.
      I can’t wait to see what Mr W has in store for us this week!
      Thanks again x

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  9. I love this post, Deb! I once heard some people in church (a church I was involved in years ago, in later years I’ve been in much healthier churches!) talk about how you have to always be useful and productive or to study blabla… and I remember thinking, like you, hey, lighten up, people! What about doing things just for fun sometimes, because fun is good for you?

    To me, fun and enjoyment is necessary for quality of life. Fun is doing something you enjoy, with no pressure, although at times, work can also be fun, depending on the circumstances. Making music, creating things in the computer, learning graphic design, these things are fun to me, also blogging, chatting with people whether it’s through blog comments or IRL. All the things that make life fun are as important as anything else in life as I see it. Sort of like your title… what would life be without fun?

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    1. Thanks very much for this great comment Susanne. I think a lot of people have to lighten up these days! Yes fun is when there’s no pressure and it just comes upon you. Life is a mixed bag and fun is a very important part of it as you say!

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  12. Love this post Debbie, everyones idea of fun seems to be so different but what’s wrong with that? Tea with your granddaughter sounds perfect to me. I think fun is often a surprise moment that takes you when you don’t expect. Not sure you can plan fun, it just happens.

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  13. This made me think. I smile a lot, I laugh plenty, but most of what I do is for purpose and I don’t think I play enough. Fun is to me unplanned, spontaneous and just because. It’s meals with friends, it’s dogs on beaches, it’s dancing around the kitchen to daggy pop music, it’s picnics outside, it’s sitting down reading at the end of a day job day and it’s following your curiosity.

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  14. I feel sorry for anyone who is scornful of the idea of fun! My fun things are meeting up with friends, going to the cinema, taking photos, planning a trip, going out for a good meal, blogging, finding an engrossing TV series to watch, going to our favourite coffee shop with my husband, Zooming with friends from all over the world from my Virtual Tourist days, chatting to my sister, reading a good book …

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  15. Anything can be fun, so yes, it’s definitely an attitude and a mindset. For me it’s simple silly things, moments with family, playing with Harry, cranking up the music and dancing while I do the housework. And so much more. I’m lucky too. Doug has the whackiest sense of humour so he doesn’t let me stay serious for too long! Great post Deb and I absolutely love your pics. Keep smiling my friend! 😊😄

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    1. Hi Miriam, you are so right, anything can be fun and a mindset we need to have. I smiled at your fun things and can imagine you having fun. Lovely to have you join in for some fun!

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  16. I’ve just had a fun weekend up in Auckland – walking, eating, spending time with my husband. Fun is so important – can be as simple as curling up with a good book or movie on the sofa on a rainy day when you don’t have to go to work (this afternoon!). fun is important!

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  17. Hi Deb – I have an absolute abhorrence for fun at the expense of others – so practical jokes and making fun of people actually makes me really cross (so your podcast would have annoyed me too!) I find that fun is a word that doesn’t get used much in our age group – maybe enjoyment is used instead? I’m finding that every day is “fun” for me now I’m not working. I have ups and downs but I’m not unhappy any more – and I love and appreciate that every day.

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    1. Yes the word fun seems to be used less by some in our age group but it equates to an almost childlike attitude in me, finding things to enjoy and laugh about is needed more I feel. Every day holds some fun for me too – we are the lucky ones!

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  18. I’m constantly inspired by you Deb and the way your have Fun in your life as well as being BOLD. I agree with Denyse fun is an attitude. I also think we should make our own fun and that is why I love spending time with my grandsons. Children don’t need much to enjoy themselves do they? My extra FUN day is Wednesdays when I’m with Ethan and Elliot. Life would be pretty dull if we didn’t have fun and laughter. This is an excellent post thanks Deb. x

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    1. Oh thank Sue, that’s a lovely comment to read!! I can always see the joy and fun you have with your grandsons in your words and photos, it’s so wonderful you are able to spend this valuable time with them, making memories and just having fun! Good on you 🙂

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  20. Hi Deb, there are definitely people who don’t see the funny side of anything! I have a pretty quirky sense of humour. One of my sons is very similar to me while my other son’s sense of humour is very like his father’s. His girlfriend’s sense of humour is very much like mine – we clicked straight away. Get-togethers at my house are always filled with laughter as we just all get along so well. She had her first Easter at our house this year and I enjoyed watching her join in with the “adult” Easter egg hunt and other games I set up. That’s when you know they will fit right in 🙂

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    1. Hi Christina, many people don’t see the funny side of things that happen and I think they’re missing out! Isn’t it good that you have a great relationship with your boys and your son’s girlfriends, it’s a great sign 🙂 Thanks for sharing your thoughts on fun.

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  21. Great post Deb, and it was fun to read. For me, it’s the small things that put fun in my day. Watching the chooks as they go about their scratching, walking with Oscar, cycling, pottering in the garden. I could go on. I do agree that fun is an attitude. It’s up to us to ensure there is fun in our day, even during the tough times.

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    1. I’m glad my post was ‘fun’ to read Jen, thanks for letting me know 🙂 You’re right it is up to us to ensure we find fun ways to manage and stay balanced especially these days! Your week away at the beach sounded like a fun time 🙂

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  22. Writing, for me, is fun. Reading, too. My favorite cup of coffee. Playing with my kids. A grrat conversation with a vlose friend (I am an introvert and not so soviable 😃). And going outside to check and tinker with some plants growing in the yard.

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  24. Fun is an attitude really. I like that. My Wednesday Club and Torshlusspanik list are both to enforce a bit of fun around me. I write for fun, I dance, we throw parties (a lot) and I read for fun….#Lifethisweek

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