The Power of Fun

The author of "The Power of Fun," I expected her to provide a step-by-step guide on how to have more fun every single day. However, what truly stood out was her emphasis on the fact that fun is already present in our lives—we just need to be more aware of it. Price introduced the concept of a "delights practice," inspired by Ross Gay's "The Book of Delights," which encourages us to actively seek out and appreciate the small moments of joy that often go unnoticed. By adopting this practice, we can enhance our overall sense of happiness and fulfillment.

The delights practice revolves around the idea that our lives are filled with numerous delights, but due to our lack of awareness, we often overlook them. Price explained the psychological phenomenon known as the frequency illusion, where we start noticing something more frequently after intentionally focusing our attention on it. By deliberately seeking out delight in our daily lives, we begin to notice it everywhere.

Price suggests a simple exercise to start the delights practice: whenever you encounter something delightful, take a moment to acknowledge it and even say the word "delight" aloud. Price herself wears a bracelet with the word "Delight" as a constant reminder. Additionally, she recommends sharing these moments of delight with a friend to amplify the positive effects. By doing so, we not only derive joy from our own experiences but also inspire others to seek out their own moments of delight.

In addition to actively seeking out delight, Price encourages us to create a "Joy List." This entails making a list of positive experiences from the recent or distant past that brought us immense happiness. By identifying the common elements in these experiences, such as the people we were with, the activities we were engaged in, and the locations we were in, we can gain insight into what truly brings us joy.

Initially, I struggled to make my own Joy List. I had spent years consumed by work and constantly striving for a future state of effortless joy, neglecting the present moment. However, as I started paying attention, I realized that joy can be found in the simplest of things. The calming sensation of lying on the floor with my legs up a wall, brewing a pot of my favorite tea, and singing along at a Taylor Swift concert—all these moments brought me immense joy.

As I began to prioritize these joyful experiences and incorporate them into my daily life, I discovered that the more joy I actively sought out, the more joy seemed to manifest. By building neural pathways that are attuned to happiness, as Dr. Rick Hanson suggests, I felt less compelled to sacrifice the present for an uncertain future.

Engaging in activities labeled as "self-care" is a common practice, but we often fail to recognize whether they truly bring us joy or merely serve as coping mechanisms. Many activities, such as binge-watching reality TV or mindlessly scrolling through social media, may provide temporary distraction but ultimately leave us feeling unfulfilled. These are mere illusions of joy, dissipating quickly and leaving behind a sense of emptiness.

When curating your Joy List, it's crucial to discern between activities that genuinely bring you joy and those that serve as escapism. The goal is to cultivate authentic joy, not to seek refuge in mindless distractions. By focusing on experiences that genuinely light you up, you can ensure that your Joy List becomes a source of true happiness and fulfillment.

Living in a world that often neglects the importance of fun, we must take it upon ourselves to prioritize joy and seek out moments of delight. Whether it's adopting a delights practice or dedicating a few minutes to brainstorming a Joy List, it's time to actively pursue and prioritize fun in our lives.

Research has shown that embracing fun can lead to various health benefits, including reduced stress levels, decreased risk of illness, and increased longevity. By consciously seeking out joy and incorporating it into our daily routines, we can enhance our overall well-being and live more fulfilling lives.