I used to freeze up when asked this question. I felt inadequate and uncreative. Watch a movie? Go out to dinner? I knew my interests were more diverse and specific than that, but they simply weren’t happening, as my work and obligations seemed to be eating up more time….

And yet the question made me lean in – I WANTED to have more authentic, specific answers to “what do I like to do for fun?” and of course, that meant I wanted to be DOING fun things more frequently!

I needed more play time for balance, but my play muscles had gotten out of practice. So I set out to develop a list of killer answers, which meant figuring out what was uniquely fun to ME.

Summer is a time when having fun is the priority. The rest of the year may be about doing our work in the world, or starting the year on the right foot, making a meaningful impact, or hitting annual goals. But everyone seems to agree, summer is about having fun.

So if you too have struggled with answering this question, or if you’re simply ready to add some new fun ideas, now is an excellent time to dig into this exploration.

Here are some prompts to help us all plump up our Fun list. Get your creative juices flowing, and add some to your calendar this week!

Inspiring Questions to Dig Up Some Fun

1. How do you enjoy moving your body? What activities help you really FEEL your body and its unique rhythm, mastery, or expression? Do you love to hike? Is ice-skating your thing? Perhaps you’re a dancer – is there a type of dance that really excites you, or perhaps intrigues you? Is there one type of physical movement you enjoy that might inspire you to try another related (or contrasting) style?
2. Think of someone you admire – what do you imagine they think is “fun“? It’s not important what they actually find fun, it’s what you imagine that person would consider to be fun that matters! That woman in the next cubicle who has such great photos of dogs on her wall. Maybe she loves training dogs to run obstacle courses… Or maybe she loves grooming them. What does your imagination gravitate towards on her behalf? Think of another person you admire for different reasons – what would THEY find entertaining?
3. What is something you used to love doing as a child? Does a spark of that activity still smolder inside you? Is your inner tree-climber still itching to get out and up in the magnolia tree next door? Are your tap shoes still hiding in the closet? Follow that childhood love to a current manifestation – perhaps you’d still love to climb a tree, or maybe exploring an arboretum is today’s version. Maybe you’re ready to sign up for community tap dance classes, or find tickets to a tap dance performance.
4. Do you have a creative streak? What would you just love to make (without getting tripped up by the idea that you don’t know how, or that it won’t be good enough)? I remember taking a sewing class in high school and I simply loved making a skirt that I wore for years afterwards. A few months ago I got a new sewing machine – and now I’m signing up for a beginner’s sewing class. On a recent family trip with my brother, sister-in-law, and my niece and nephew, my mother brought along black-and-white tarot cards and markers to color them in. We all had a blast! At a neighborhood gathering last week, a neighbor brought a collection of wildflowers and florist wire and tape to make flower-crowns. Look for ways to get your hands busy.
5. What kind of music do you love? and how can you bring more of that into your life? Listening to it, making it, sharing it with others? “Shazaam” is one of my favorite apps to help me discover new artists when I hear something I like in a store or on the radio. When I lived in Austin, I joined a community choir, which was a wonderful way to bring more music into my life. When I play different music in my home, it changes the energy entirely and brings a different part of myself forward. Seeking out variety, or asking friends or recommendations, is part of the fun!

Take any idea that really grabbed you above and literally go write it down in your calendar for a spot this week – and then tell us what you’re going to do in the Comments section below. Take a step in a new fun direction. Enjoy these summer months of leisure and let them feed your soul!